President Obama gave his last national security address Tuesday afternoon, and from the sound of things, he’s been a very effective commander-in-chief. Just look at the sorry state of core al Qaeda.
"By any measure, core al Qaeda—the organization that hit us on 9/11—is a shadow of its former self." —@POTUS https://t.co/2MFs3kGvRH
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 6, 2016
No, not by any measure. Obama's notion of "core al Qaeda" is vacuous. Admin's own memo documents AQ's growth in Syria, Yemen + elsewhere. https://t.co/peyhTcMC6d
— Thomas Joscelyn (@thomasjoscelyn) December 6, 2016
Just what is the president’s notion of “core al Qaeda”? Is that like the varsity team, or what?
Please define "core al Qaeda" and while you're at it, please define "shadow of its former self" https://t.co/dtn3KPf6GQ
— Avi B. (@avijustin) December 6, 2016
Good to know that it was "core" al Qaeda that was the problem, we wouldn't want anyone to confuse them with the "good" al Qaeda #justleave https://t.co/JxiD5JcvgP
— Mark Young (@MarkYoungTruth) December 7, 2016
In a strange twist, "core al Qaeda" is not actually a thing that exists outside of White House talking points rationalizing CT failure. https://t.co/42GwwfXytC
— Omri Ceren (@cerenomri) December 6, 2016
Failure? But the way Obama put it, America’s counterterrorism efforts were anything but a failure under his administration.
"Over last 8 years, no foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland" —@POTUS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 6, 2016
Thomas Joscelyn, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, notes that the president’s claim comes with a number of caveats.
1. Doesn't count "inspired" plots.
2. Intel/FBI stopped some.
3. Got lucky on others.
4. Jihadis spread out, taking territory across MENA. https://t.co/44Hxp70PEK— Thomas Joscelyn (@thomasjoscelyn) December 6, 2016
5. Also, Al Qaeda's leaders actually decided to delay big plots in West because they were focused on gaining ground in Syria & elsewhere. https://t.co/18gqv4ZSaL
— Thomas Joscelyn (@thomasjoscelyn) December 6, 2016
6. Meanwhile #ISIS grew tremendously from 2011 on, eventually planning attacks such as Nov. 2015 Paris assault. "Inspired" others in US. https://t.co/zhfALSbdGz
— Thomas Joscelyn (@thomasjoscelyn) December 6, 2016
7. US and European counterterrorism officials have to counter more terror threats than ever. Those threats have grown since Jan. 2009. https://t.co/D01GYjNy3l
— Thomas Joscelyn (@thomasjoscelyn) December 6, 2016
The Israel Project’s Omri Ceren was also less than impressed with President Obama’s claim that no foreign terrorist organization has succeeded in attacking the United States.
Brought to you by the people who say that it's really unfortunate how America has become a post-fact political environment –> https://t.co/mYO1CY3I7y
— Omri Ceren (@cerenomri) December 6, 2016
This is what happens when you hand over the White House to children who care more about SICK BURN MIC DROPS than public policy debate https://t.co/mYO1CY3I7y
— Omri Ceren (@cerenomri) December 6, 2016
Who doesn’t love a good SICK BURN MIC DROP? Vox isn’t above admitting it.
Periodic reminder that for last 8 years Obama admin elevated clowns like this with leaks and access to drown out adult experts and reporters pic.twitter.com/1NVTRyJkKp
— Omri Ceren (@cerenomri) December 6, 2016
