In Pakistan, jihadists tried -- and failed -- twice to kill President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. The danger to Musharraf's life did not prevent him from reaching out to India in a peace process, nor did the attempts trigger a military or popular rising against him. Al Qaeda knows that the culminating battle of the war will be waged in northwestern Pakistan when US forces go after Osama bin Laden and his command cells. They must topple Musharraf to generate a major obstacle to US plans. Therefore, the jihadists must get Musharraf. So far, they have failed.

... it might decide to avoid any attacks in the United States, opting instead to focus resources on the struggle in Saudi Arabia and on bringing down Musharraf in Pakistan.