An al Qaeda spokesman said the organization, and it's leader Osama Bin Laden, were still alive and well and planning more attacks on the United States. Bin Laden and al Qaeda are thought to be hiding out in Pakistan and other Moslem states that tolerate a major Islamic militant presence (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Iran, Etc.) Some al Qaeda and Taliban are still in Afghanistan as well, but are being pursued, as they are in parts of Pakistan. Bin Laden is thought to be in Western Pakistan and is being aggressively pursued by Pakistani and American police. Afghans and Pakistanis are providing information, but it is often delivered in whispers, for the Islamic radicals are known to believe in murderous retribution against anyone suspected of disloyalty. 

Following the rape of a female foreign aid worker in the north, and the inability of local warlords to do anything to improve security, foreign aid groups are withdrawing their female staff working in the area.