--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Al Qaeda has significance beyond its…" description: "\"Al Qaeda has significance beyond its numbers, frankly. And so for us, our 24-hour-a-day objective is to seek out those al Qaeda cells. And, as we seek ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/593/john-r-allen-19772_al_al-qaeda-has-significance-beyond-its-num_1738984.jpg" --- # Al Qaeda has significance beyond its numbers, frankly. And… ![“Al Qaeda has significance beyond its numbers, frankly. And so for us, our 24-hour-a-day objective is to seek out those al Qaeda cells. And, as we seek them out, to target them and eliminate them. And we're doing that 24 hours a day.” quote by John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/593/john-r-allen-19772_al_al-qaeda-has-significance-beyond-its-num_1738984.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/593/john-r-allen-19772_al_al-qaeda-has-significance-beyond-its-num_1738984.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/593/john-r-allen-19772_al_al-qaeda-has-significance-beyond-its-num_1738984.jpg) > “Al Qaeda has significance beyond its numbers, frankly. And so for us, our 24-hour-a-day objective is to seek out those al Qaeda cells. And, as we seek them out, to target them and eliminate them. And we're doing that 24 hours a day.” [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Al Qaeda’s influence outweighs its size; continuous vigilance is required to locate and neutralize cells. **In simple terms:** Small groups can have big impact; stay alert. Key Takeaway Maintain constant monitoring and rapid response. Themes security terrorism vigilance Mood determined urgent Type strategic operational When to use this quote - military planning - intelligence gathering - law enforcement - community safety Key Concepts counterterrorism strategic operations Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance sustained pressure with personnel wellbeing? - What alternative strategies could complement constant monitoring? A Different Perspective Resources are limited; 24‑hour effort may strain personnel. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Significance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/significance/) ## Related quotes > [For many years, I did my best to report on the issues of the day in as objective a manner as possible. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/for-many-years-i-did-my-best-to-report-on-the-issues-of-the-day-in-as-2/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [Al Qaeda has come back. Al Qaeda is a resilient organization. But they're not here in large numbers. But al Qaeda doesn't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/al-qaeda-has-come-back-al-qaeda-is-a-resilient-organization-but-they/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [We don't want the Taliban to put down roots, or the al Qaeda to put down roots in Afghanistan that can facilitate Afghanistan becoming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/we-don-t-want-the-taliban-to-put-down-roots-or-the-al-qaeda-to-put/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [It seems the EPA has worked hard to devise new regulations that are designed to eliminate coal mining, coal burning, usage of coal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-rogers/it-seems-the-epa-has-worked-hard-to-devise-new-regulations-that-are/) Hal Rogers > [It is quite extraordinary how very various are the opinions entertained on this point, and, before sifting them, one must be careful in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-payn/it-is-quite-extraordinary-how-very-various-are-the-opinions/) [James Payn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-payn/) > [Eliminate emotion from your investment program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-bogle/eliminate-emotion-from-your-investment-program/) [John C. Bogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-bogle/) > [Only way to eliminate the element of surprise is to know yourself and now your adversary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/only-way-to-eliminate-the-element-of-surprise-is-to-know-yourself-and/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Eliminate the mindset of can't! Because you can do anything!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-horton/eliminate-the-mindset-of-can-t-because-you-can-do-anything/) [Tony Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-horton/) > [One of the reasons we don't have our deficit under control is because Republicans are wusses and won't tell their base a simple fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-rendell/one-of-the-reasons-we-don-t-have-our-deficit-under-control-is-because/) [Ed Rendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-rendell/) > [One of the main things for a leader is to eliminate confusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cottrell/one-of-the-main-things-for-a-leader-is-to-eliminate-confusion/) [David Cottrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cottrell/) > [A decision by the Supreme Court to subject Guantanamo to judicial review would eliminate these advantages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/a-decision-by-the-supreme-court-to-subject-guantanamo-to-judicial/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [God is about to eliminate the white man from this earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/god-is-about-to-eliminate-the-white-man-from-this-earth/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [“In many ways, life is about managing your delusions; keeping the ones that nourish and eliminating the ones that poison.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/in-many-ways-life-is-about-managing-your-delusions-keeping-the-ones/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [You've got to eliminate the confusion in your life. And eliminate the excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-ruettiger/you-ve-got-to-eliminate-the-confusion-in-your-life-and-eliminate-the/) [Rudy Ruettiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-ruettiger/) > [Many of the factors that we think will cause motivation, such as fair pay and a good manager, won't make you love your job.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-christensen/many-of-the-factors-that-we-think-will-cause-motivation-such-as-fair/) [Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-christensen/) ## More by John R. Allen > [There is a direct line relationship between what happened in Afghanistan in the work up to 11 September 2001 and what we're doing in Afghanistan today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/there-is-a-direct-line-relationship-between-what-happened-in/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [And across Afghanistan, every single day, Afghan soldiers, Afghan police and ISAF troops are serving shoulder-to-shoulder in some very difficult situations. And our engagement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/and-across-afghanistan-every-single-day-afghan-soldiers-afghan-police/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [Afghanistan is going to be here a long time, and what's critical is that Afghanistan's relationship with its neighbors are, to the maximum extent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/afghanistan-is-going-to-be-here-a-long-time-and-what-s-critical-is/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [The best thing I ever did was give my family everything I could.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/the-best-thing-i-ever-did-was-give-my-family-everything-i-could/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [I seek as much as I can to mitigate risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/i-seek-as-much-as-i-can-to-mitigate-risk/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [One would think that if you're anonymous, you'd do anything you want, but groups have their own sense of community and what we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/one-would-think-that-if-you-re-anonymous-you-d-do-anything-you-want/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [There are problems in the world today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/there-are-problems-in-the-world-today/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [We dont want the Taliban to put down roots, or the al Qaeda to put down roots in Afghanistan that can facilitate Afghanistan becoming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/we-dont-want-the-taliban-to-put-down-roots-or-the-al-qaeda-to-put/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [You know, great powers don't get angry, great powers don't make decisions hastily in a crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/you-know-great-powers-don-t-get-angry-great-powers-don-t-make/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [We dont see that the Taliban ultimately can succeed, and its a combination both of what the international community can do to support Afghanistan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/we-dont-see-that-the-taliban-ultimately-can-succeed-and-its-a/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [Donald Trump has no credibility to criticize me or my record or anything that I have done. If he had spent a minute in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/donald-trump-has-no-credibility-to-criticize-me-or-my-record-or/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [I can't spend a lot of time worrying about the numbers at home. I've got to focus on the mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/i-can-t-spend-a-lot-of-time-worrying-about-the-numbers-at-home-i-ve/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [None of us wants any more war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/none-of-us-wants-any-more-war/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [The thing that I'm always left with is this overwhelming desire for people to be rooted and the only way that they feel rooted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/the-thing-that-i-m-always-left-with-is-this-overwhelming-desire-for/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [We're pursuing a strategic partnership with Afghanistan on the case of the United States and Afghanistan where we're going to push toward a future.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/we-re-pursuing-a-strategic-partnership-with-afghanistan-on-the-case/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) [Explore all 32 John R. Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) ## More Al quotes > [I like 'The Usual Suspects'. Great film. I also like 'Scarface', films like that. Lots of gangster films. I really like watching all kinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barkhad-abdi/i-like-the-usual-suspects-great-film-i-also-like-scarface-films-like/) [Barkhad Abdi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barkhad-abdi/) > [Al Jazeera is a representation of, you know, diversity in the Arab world. In our newsroom, we have every single nationality, we have every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wadah-khanfar/al-jazeera-is-a-representation-of-you-know-diversity-in-the-arab/) [Wadah Khanfar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wadah-khanfar/) > [If the practice is torture for the al Qaeda operative who masterminded the killing of three thousand Americans, why weren't there court-martials in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-a-rodriguez-jr/if-the-practice-is-torture-for-the-al-qaeda-operative-who/) [Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-a-rodriguez-jr/) > [Searches of al Qaeda sites in Afghanistan, undertaken since American-backed forces took control there, are not known to have turned up a significant cache…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/searches-of-al-qaeda-sites-in-afghanistan-undertaken-since-american/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) > [Nobody had race savvy like Al Unser in his prime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/nobody-had-race-savvy-like-al-unser-in-his-prime/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [There are many causes of violent deaths in America - murders and traffic accidents - that we do not approach with the same 'no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-c-blair/there-are-many-causes-of-violent-deaths-in-america-murders-and/) [Dennis C. Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-c-blair/) > [If you want to join the Republican party, they have to let you in. There's nothing they can do about it. I mean, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/if-you-want-to-join-the-republican-party-they-have-to-let-you-in/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Brian came back in on the road and Al stayed, but Al's the original member of the group.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-johnston/brian-came-back-in-on-the-road-and-al-stayed-but-al-s-the-original/) [Bruce Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-johnston/) > [News is the backbone of our network; the main commodity and the main successes of Al Jazeera came out of our involvement in covering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wadah-khanfar/news-is-the-backbone-of-our-network-the-main-commodity-and-the-main/) [Wadah Khanfar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wadah-khanfar/) > [And beyond that, the next issue is how do we guarantee one of these weapons, not necessarily this missile, but nuclear weapons ends up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-eagleburger/and-beyond-that-the-next-issue-is-how-do-we-guarantee-one-of-these/) [Lawrence Eagleburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-eagleburger/) > [I started, actually, as an analyst on African affairs, mainly on Al Jazeera. I remember the first few series were about Saudi students, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wadah-khanfar/i-started-actually-as-an-analyst-on-african-affairs-mainly-on-al/) [Wadah Khanfar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wadah-khanfar/) > [That is because the conflict with al Qaeda is not governed by the Geneva Conventions, which applies only to international conflicts between states that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/that-is-because-the-conflict-with-al-qaeda-is-not-governed-by-the/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [Bin Laden is dead, and most of his friends are dead. But did it need to cost a trillion dollars and two land wars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/bin-laden-is-dead-and-most-of-his-friends-are-dead-but-did-it-need-to/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Mistreatment of al Qaeda members and their friends and hangers-on is something I number among my moral concerns. But it's number 1,000,000,001.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/mistreatment-of-al-qaeda-members-and-their-friends-and-hangers-on-is/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Success means eliminating Al Qaeda's ability to launch terrorist attacks against the United States and our allies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/success-means-eliminating-al-qaeda-s-ability-to-launch-terrorist/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) Browse all 218 Al quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Al Qaeda has significance beyond its numbers, frankly. And so for us, our 24-hour-a-day objective is to seek out those al Qaeda cells. And, as we seek them out, to target them and eliminate them. And we're doing that 24 hours a day.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John R. 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