Routing al-Qaida

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. Some critics are of the opinion that the Obama administration is soft on terrorism, its use of civilian courts to deal with suspected domestic terrorists ineffective.

The facts say otherwise.

CIA Director Leon Panetta, speaking at a foreign policy conference Monday at the University of Oklahoma, said that counterterrorism operations directed at al-Qaida in recent months have led to the deaths of more than half of the group's top 20 leaders. Recent successes also included the capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the second-in-command of the Afghan Taliban, thanks to a successful joint operation of Pakistani and U.S. intelligence operatives.

The administration's success in improving relations with Pakistani leaders is helping the U.S. hunt down top al-Qaida officers there and in neighboring Afghanistan. The president's decision to surge troop forces in Afghanistan, despite being unpopular with his left-wing base, is disrupting Taliban insurgents as well.

Though reeling from the attacks, al-Qaida remains "determined to kill as many Americans as possible," warned Mr. Panetta.

The evidence is also mounting that the criminal-justice system can effectively deal with alleged terror suspects. Last month, Najibullah Zazi pleaded guilty in federal court to receiving training from al-Qaida and traveling to New York City last September with plans to carry out subway bombing attacks. He faces life imprisonment.

Last week, Ahmad Afzali, a Queens imam, pleaded guilty to making false statements to law enforcement officials, saying he had no contact with Mr. Zazi, when in truth he had warned him that he was under FBI scrutiny. Mr. Afzali, an Afghani, faces up to a five-year sentence and deportation.

And what of Umar F. Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old Nigerian who was arrested in Detroit and read his rights after failing to detonate a bomb on a plane Christmas Day? He is reportedly talking, providing information that counter-terrorism officials can act on.

Politics aside, all Americans should welcome these positive developments.