Despite claims by U.S. politicians that Al Qaeda is routed in Iraq, U.S. military sources are saying tha Al Qaeda will retain a foothold in Iraq for many years to come. Despite the U.S. military presence and its efforts to suffocate Al Qaeda, the military view is that Al Qaeda will survive. "Al-Qaida in Iraq, which did not exist as a coherent group before U.S. troops invaded in March 2003, probably now numbers no more than 6,000, according to U.S. intelligence estimates. "
