American officials say there is mounting evidence Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, have been steadily building an operations hub in the mountainous Pakistani tribal area of North Waziristan. Until recently, the Bush administration had described bin Laden and Zawahri as detached from their followers and cut off from operational control of Al Qaeda.

“The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him.” – George W. Bush, 9/13/01

Officials said that the United States still had little idea where Osama bin Laden and Ayman-al Zawahri had been hiding since 2001, but that the two men were not believed to be present in the camps currently operating in North Waziristan. Among the indicators that American officials cited as a sign that Qaeda leaders felt more secure was the release of 21 statements by the pair in 2006, roughly twice the number as in the previous year.

“I don’t know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don’t care. It’s not that important. It’s not our priority.” – George W. Bush, 3/13/02

American intelligence and counterterrorism officials said that most of the men receiving training in Pakistan had been carrying out attacks inside Afghanistan, but that Al Qaeda had also strengthened its ties to groups in Iraq that had sworn allegiance to bin Laden. They said dozens of seasoned fighters were moving between Pakistan and Iraq, apparently engaging in an “exchange of best practices” for attacking American forces.

“I am truly not that concerned about him.” – George W. Bush, responding to a question about bin Laden’s whereabouts, 3/13/02