WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says information recovered from Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan shows al-Qaida is under enormous strain.
Obama says bin Laden expressed concern that his terrorist network had been unable to effectively replace senior leaders when they were killed. Bin Laden also worried that al-Qaida had failed in its effort to portray America as at war with Islam, which deprived the network of more widespread support.
Bin Laden was found and killed by U.S. troops in May.
The president revealed the findings from the terror leader's compound in a speech Wednesday from the White House East Room. He announced the beginning of a drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, which he said was possible in part because the threat from al-Qaida had been reduced.
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