Michael Scheuer, former chief of CIA’s bin Laden Unit and author of the best-selling screed, “Imperial Hubris,” is back. At AFA’s conference, he expressed his belief that al Qaeda will strike again on American soil. He gave no time prediction, saying the strike could come one year or 10 years from now. Al Qaeda is very patient, he explained. Scheuer has nearly 20 years experience in Middle East matters. In his address (which he presented in the form of a faux letter from an al Qaeda terrorist living in the US), Scheuer advanced the idea that American power and wealth is not an obstacle to terrorist operations because al Qaeda has “yet to feel the impact” of it. He goes on to say the occupation of Iraq simply fuels anti-American sentiment in the Middle East. Al Qaeda’s task is made easier by the “leaderless Islamic world” in which many see bin Laden as a unifying force.
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…