BETHESDA, Md., May 23, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- "Recent actions by Al Qaeda terrorists are evidence that they are becoming increasingly confused and desperate," says Dr. Jack Wheeler, editor of ToThePointNews.com, an online geopolitical intelligence service.
"The best indication is their calling for attacks on Norway," said Dr. Wheeler, referring to the audiotape recently released by Al Jazeera television. The tape claims to be the voice of Al Qaeda's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri. "These guys are so isolated they got Norway confused with Denmark."
In an analysis distributed to ToThePoint subscribers today entitled "Desperation City," it was pointed out that Denmark was a member of the victorious Coalition Forces in the War in Iraq -- not Norway. The audiotape called for terrorist attacks on Coalition members, specifically naming Britain, Australia, the United States, and, mistakenly, Norway.
"By including Norway, rather than Denmark, in its target list, the Al Qaeda leadership announced to the world that, hiding in caves and constantly on the run, its intelligence is incredibly shoddy," concluded the ToThePoint analysis. "They meant to say Denmark, and now they can't compound their embarrassment by admitting it. If they are this confused, their capacity to organize major terrorist acts may be severely diminished."
Dr. Wheeler thus believes this latest Al Qaeda audiotape is a desperate call to its followers to act on their own, as the leadership is losing its ability to fund and coordinate terrorist acts themselves.
In addition to editing ToThePoint, Dr. Wheeler is president of The Freedom Research Foundation, founded in 1983. He is credited with originating the "Reagan Doctrine" during the 1980s and advises members of Congress on issues of national security and foreign policy. ToThePoint is a subscription-based online geopolitical intelligence service at www.tothepointnews.com.