The White House said Al-Qaeda is turning to smaller, less sophisticated attacks as its capacity to mount September 11-style attacks have been undermined by US action.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said American anti-terror efforts in South Asia, Africa and around the world have affected Al-Qaeda's terror strategy.
He also said Al-Qaeda has suffered a "degredation" of its command and control structure.
Several recent thwarted small-scale attacks, include the failed bid to bring down a US airliner on Christmas Day and Saturday's foiled car bombing in New York.
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