Newsweek and Daily Beast columnist Josh Rogin discussed his joint report with Eli Lake on the Al Qaeda conference call that prompted U.S. embassy and consulate closures across the Middle East Wednesday on Fox News.
Rogin emphasized the brazen nature of Ayman al-Zawahiri's direct contact with various affiliates indicates despite the Obama administration's political narrative Al Qaeda is very much alive and well.
Particularly, Rogin took aim at the prevailing wisdom that the current structure of Al Qaeda is composed of various "franchises" operating independently with some approval from the core Zawahiri leadership.
The promotion of Yemeni Al Qaeda affiliate leader Nasser al-Wuhayshi to "general manager" illustrates the terrorist group has evolved into a "top down" model with increased coordination capabilities, Rogin said.