ARE WE SAFER BECAUSE WE INVADED IRAQ???

(H/T to BRIVERRATZ)

UPDATE: NBC News has the video and more:

Interviews with Farhan and other radicals reveal that many young men were torn when it came time to choose sides. Even though they fight alongside al-Qaida, they insist that — contrary to what U.S. officials say — they do not support al-Qaida. Many, in fact, say they hate al-Qaida. But they hate the United States more.

The Director of the National Counter-Terrorism Center says no in the short-term and is unsure about the long-term!

From Lexis-Nexis¹:

ENGEL: But there was somewhat less conviction at the National Counterterrorism Center set up after September 11, where the FBI, CIA and 14 other intelligence agencies worked together, sharing information 24 hours a day. This is the center of the US's counterterrorism fight. In this room, analysts sift through about 5,000 pieces of intelligence every day and then whittle that down to 20 to 30 specific threats. But the director of the center, retired Admiral Scott Redd, was uncomfortable talking about Iraq.
But the war in Iraq created a giant recruiting tool for al-Qaeda. It has made the pool of jihadists deeper. That's what everyone tells me, including the jihadists themselves?

Retired Admiral SCOTT REDD: I--in the short term, that is--that is probably true. But the question is--you've got to look at this, I believe in the long term strategic view.

ENGEL: Are we safer today?

Adm. REDD: Tactically? Probably not. Strategically? We'll wait and see.

¹NBC News Transcripts
October 14, 2007 Sunday
SHOW: NBC Nightly News 6:30 PM EST NBC
Has Iraq war made us safer from terror in the US?
ANCHORS: LESTER HOLT
REPORTERS: RICHARD ENGEL
LENGTH: 574 words