TERROR

La Times: A Resilient Al Qaeda Regroups and Plots

U.S. fears the network may use untraceable operatives for attacks on such targets as subways

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Shrewd recruiting of new, young militants has allowed Al Qaeda to reestablish itself here in Osama bin Laden's homeland and around the world as an elusive and resilient threat that is seeking to launch new attacks in the United States and other countries, many U.S. officials now believe.

Al Qaeda has not only survived the U.S.-led crackdown against it, but it has also found weaknesses in the tactics of its pursuers and is exploiting them, according to interviews with U.S. officials here and in Washington.

Of particular concern, these officials say, are indications that the terrorist network has infiltrated an unknown number of essentially untraceable operatives into the United States. Some of them are believed to be planning suicide bombings against "soft targets" such as subways within the next several months, U.S. officials said.