On Dec. 20, a video was released informing the public that Ayman al-Zawahiri, deputy of al-Qaida, would accept "open online interviews" from sympathizers and members of the media. 

While more than 900 questions were submitted by the deadline of Jan. 16, there has yet to be a response from al-Zawahiri.

As a user under the name 'Knight of Islam' asks, "We are awaiting a strike against American soil. Why has that not been done? Why are the Jews in the world not struck?"

If al-Zawahiri opts to answer this question directly, there will be a unique and previously unseen perspective on why there have been no terrorist attacks in our country since Sept. 11.

Another popular topic raised on the site is al-Qaida's future plans, and whether the group has a cohesive plan to accomplish their mission statement.

"Does it just go from event to event as some claim? Do you have a body that studies events and reviews them to correct mistakes and assess them?" asks another user by the name of "Raji al-Quboul."

Comments such as this give the impression that many al-Qaida sympathizers are just as confused about the group's future plans as are Western terror analysts and members of the media.

I say to you: that we are in a battle, and that more than half of this battle is taking place in the battlefield of the mediaAyman al-Zawahiri

Until al-Zawahiri steps out and provides direct answers to the issues raised by his supporters and his opponents, it will be impossible to concretely define al-Qaida leadership's future plans for the organization.

One of the most frightening facts brought to light by al-Qaida's recent blitz of online interactions with media groups is that terrorist organizations are able to operate effectively and evade tracking attempts made by the United States and world intelligence agencies.

As long as proxy servers used by al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations are changed often enough, they will continue to have an open forum to recruit members both in the Middle East and possibly in the United States.

The exchange of vital information could prove to be just as costly as physical combat in the so called 'war on terror.' Until intelligence agencies find a way to track or remove the information placed online by terrorists, the upper hand rests with our enemies.

It is worth noting that information stating the interview offer came from al-Zawahiri himself cannot be confirmed, although the video was posted with the Al-Sahab logo, the group who often issues his videos.