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How Real Is The Al-Qaida Threat?
ResumeThe recent hostage crisis at that refinery in Algeria sparked a new debate over the strength of the terrorist group al-Qaida.
The U.S. certainly seems to think the threat level is high because it's preparing to establish a new drone base in North Africa to monitor al-Qaida and other Islamist extremist groups, according to the New York Times.
But critics say the threat from al-Qaida is being oversold.
Jason Burke, south Asia correspondent for The Guardian, says the killing of Osama bin Laden and other senior leaders in drone strikes have weakened the organization.
- The Guardian: How great is the terrorism threat to the west now?
Guest:
- Jason Burke, south Asia correspondent for The Guardian and The Observer. He tweets @burke_jason.
This segment aired on January 30, 2013.