A published report says the Bush administration has initiated a top-level internal review of its anti-terrorism policy, with the aim of moving away from hunting al-Qaida leadership and towards a broader strategy of dealing with violent extremism.
The Washington Post in its Sunday edition says the new strategy has evolved as al-Qaida has become increasingly decentralized since the attacks of September 11, 2001. White House officials tell the newspaper a new anti-terrorism model must emerge to cope with the rapid global spread of pro-al-Qaida Islamic jihadists.
Officials say hitting al-Qaida in Afghanistan after the 2001 attacks was a logical tactical maneuver. But they say the new leadership among terror groups is difficult to target as they adapt and blend into multiple societies.
The reported policy shift is the first major change in anti-terrorism strategy for the Bush administration since the attacks.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
