Al Qaeda says al Qaeda 's core leadership in Pakistan has been severely weakened . Defense Secretary Leon Panetta predicted last year after the bin Laden strike that if the U.S. keeps up the pressure , `` I 'm convinced that we 're within reach of strategically defeating al Qaeda , '' again a reference to the Pakistan-based leaders . Romney claims Al Qaeda branches have spread to almost a dozen countries . al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan are particularly worrisome to Yemen .
Al Qaeda says al Qaeda 's core leadership in Pakistan has been severely weakened . Romney claims Al Qaeda branches have spread to almost a dozen countries . al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan are particularly worrisome to Yemen .