So, Ayman al-Zawahiri Wants to be Hellfire Bait - Make It So!

Background
In March of 2003 al Qaeda had planned to launch a deadly gas attack in NYC's subway system. In days leading up to the Coalition's invasion of Iraq, the gas attack was called off by Osama bin Laden's deputy, Ayman Zawahiri, himself: why would AQ want to give an invasion force greater will to win (by slaying 3,000 subway riders) beforehand? Obviously, they would not. Their original plan was set aside and, after the invasion, AQ wanted to demonstrate for the world its ability to attack the U.S. with even more casualties than 9-11.

After U.S. invasion of Iraq, threats by AQ that they were 90-95% prepared (in 2004) to launch a new attack in the U.S. of even greater proprtions than 9-11. (meaning at least 10-50,000 deaths). Never happened, and here's why. 

Following the death of bin Laden, former Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism Juan Zarate said that al-Zawahiri would "clearly assume the mantle of leadership" of al-Qaeda.

Update
September 13, 2013, CAIRO (AP) — Al-Qaida's leader [Ayman al-Zawahiri] on Friday marked the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks by calling on Muslims to strike inside the United States, with big attacks or small, using any opportunity they can to "bleed" America financially.Al-Qaida leader calls for attacks inside US.

Juan Caruso's Response ... 

Thank you, Juan!
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Submarines are always silent and strange.