Al-Qaeda Bases In Iraq And Around The World

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Last night, the first 2008 Presidential Debate was held between John McCain and Barack Obama at the University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS.

In this debate John McCain asserted that it was critical that United States troops remain focused on efforts in Iraq to ensure that Al-Qaeda is not allowed to establish bases within Iraq.

Perhaps these questions are elementary, but I believe these questions are relevant to discussions about National Security in these debates.

1. How many new bases has Al-Qaeda established outside of Iraq since the attacks on the World Trade Center, September 11?
2. How has focusing our efforts on Al-Qaeda in Iraq affected Al-Qaeda's ability to establish new bases around the world?
3. Have our efforts to concentrate on Iraq increased the World's exposure to threats posed by Al-Qaeda?