Better intelligence has made an attack on Russia or Europe more difficult . Sabotaging Saudi and Gulf oilfields may fit with al Qaeda 's strategic plans . Most analysts concur that al Qaeda wants to launch a large-scale attack to prove its resilience and rally supporters . Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula may be a greater threat now , some say . Salafist groups may want to take advantage of gains from recent uprisings .
Better intelligence has made an attack on Russia or Europe more difficult . Sabotaging Saudi and Gulf oilfields may fit with al Qaeda 's strategic plans . Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula may be a greater threat now , some say . Salafist groups may want to take advantage of gains from recent uprisings .