(It was and is a notoriously hard group to infiltrate.)

Yet Bush was so intent on invading Iraq (which had no terrorists–until the US Army got there, and provided a recruitment tool), that he gave up this invaluable source.

This goes to show that Bush is really, really not interested in eliminating terrorism. In fact, it could be said he loves it, since it is the only reason he is still in office. He no more wants to eliminate terrorism than the DEA wants to eliminate drugs: without it he would be out of a job.

Bush is interested in Empire; and as long as the US is an Empire, we will have terrorists (read, people fighting for freedom in the occupied territories).

The good news is: all Empires fall. They are always based on an unviable economic system (exploitation), the Army always figures out that it is easier and safer and more profitable to meddle in politics at home rather than keep down the insurgents abroad, and those insurgents, sooner or later, win.