Why are they making Al-quaeda seem like such a huge threat?

I'm listening to the audiobook Ghost: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent and it seems like the terrorist threat from 20 years ago was larger than the one today. This was a time when there were more terror groups outside of ones allied with Al-quaeda were targeting areas in the USA.

It really seems like the terror problem was a lot moreso back in the days before 9-11. I think things have quieted down a bit.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Why are they making Al-quaeda seem like such a huge threat?

Because that was the original story

It really seems like the terror problem was a lot moreso back in the days before 9-11. I think things have quieted down a bit.

Actually it has dramatically increased. At least, the number of members in these alleged terrorist organizations have. And I believe that was the result of all the media attention they have received. These organizations are tangible now. Essentially, I think the US in affect created them.

Every scary story needs a boogie-man.

Your question has been discussed in one way or another, quite a lot on ATS. You should check out the video, "Oil, Smoke and Mirrors," and also the BBC television documentary about Operation Gladio.

Here are links to those videos.

Oil, Smoke and Mirrors

Google Video Link

Timewatch: Operation Gladio

Google Video Link

Basically, sir_chancelot had it about right, but the videos fill in a little more detail.