The Jihadists are making more threats against America on their websites. They say they are planning two "big" operations, one bigger than the other, and are just awaiting the 'go' order from Osama. I think they have made these threats on their websites before, so I don't know if these threats should be taken seriously. Presumably, they have never given up their desire to strike us again here at home, which is why the Department of Homeland Security was created, the Patriot Act was passed (and renewed), the screening of airport passengers and baggage was federalized, and so on. I have long maintained that there were only two plausible explanations for why they didn't hit us again here at home after 9/11. One, they have tried and failed, perhaps multiple times. Two, they have deliberately paused their efforts. If they were smart, they would refrain from attacking us here at home. Right now the American people are divided by the war in Iraq. A major attack here at home would only serve to rally Americans behind the President, who might even take some of the more radical steps I advocated right after 9/11 (a large increase in the size of the military, asking Congress for a declaration of war against Al Qaeda, etc.). I don't think they are very smart, though, so I suspect that they haven't hit us because they have been foiled in their efforts.

Here is an interesting piece from the Boston Globe about how Al Qaeda has reorganized in Iraq. Apparently, Zarqawi is no longer the head man in their operations in Iraq. According to this piece, they are setting up the preliminary political structure for the eventual takeover of the country.