11: The Iraq Mess: Al-Qaeda's New Home

Scattered and on the run, bin Laden's network is rallying new recruits to battle U.S. forces in Iraq

The three men hailing a taxi late last Wednesday near Sulaimaniyah, a city in northern Iraq close to the Iranian border, didn't look like locals. They wore long, dark beards, for one thing and, though it was past midnight, didn't know where they were going. They first told the driver to take them into the city, then changed their minds and asked to be driven to a secluded suburb. Then they pulled guns on the driver and forced him out. "Do not look back," one of the strangers said, before speeding off. In any other part of the world, the crime...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!