US ‘unable to fight war on terror’

THE American military machine is not geared to fighting the war on terror and has not made “truly bold moves” against al-Qaida, according to a leaked memo by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Mr Rumsfeld suggested a "new institution" might be needed to fight terrorism because "it is not possible" to transform his department for this purpose.

The memo to senior Pentagon and military officials added: "It is pretty clear that the coalition can win in Afghanistan and Iraq in one way or another, but it will be a long, hard slog."