Al-Qaida re-emerges in Afghanistan

While the American people have turned their attention to Iraq's weapons and the antics of Saddam Hussein, an insidious threat has arisen in Afghanistan.

To much of the American public, the issues in Afghanistan have been solved. The Taliban is dissolved. A democratic government is in place. U.S. troops are there to make sure things stay stable.

But the fact is that al-Qaida has a lot of sympathizers, and foot soldiers in that group's jihad are streaming into Afghanistan training camps.

Finding and destroying these camps is no easy matter, as they are small and mobile. Some experts estimate as many as 10,000 terrorists could be preparing for action around the world, including those in the Afghan camps.

Even more disturbing is the fact that they could have access to materials for dirty bombs -- those containing radiation -- and have the know-how to build them.

After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, it's no secret what these terrorists are capable of doing. This country's military leaders are faced with dealing with Saddam Hussein, but they have not forgotten who the first and foremost enemy is: terrorists of all stripes.