Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Says Al Qaeda in Iraq Strongest Since 2006

Says the group is also operating in Syria

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the national counterterrorism center says the al-Qaeda affiliate in Iraq is the strongest it's been since a peak in 2006.

Matt Olsen says al-Qaeda in Iraq has increased the pace of attacks this year.

Olsen is testifying to a Senate committee on the current terror threat to the U.S.