Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, America launched a war on terrorism. Three years later, the debate continues about whether the war is winnable. Kathie Scarrah has our report

Osama bin Laden

The U.S. took the war against al-Qaida, masterminds of the 9/11 attacks to Afghanistan removing the Taliban, which had given sanctuary to al-Qaida. It did not capture al-Qaida's leader, Osama bin Laden, but did capture or kill some of his deputies. That did not prevent major terrorist attacks in Bali, Riyadh and Madrid carried out by groups linked to al-Qaida.

A group linked to al-Qaida carried out this terrorist attack in Madrid

Former New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean headed an exhaustive investigation by a Commission chartered by Congress to give a full and complete account of the September 11th attacks. The commission concluded that although al-Qaida no longer directs operations, it initiates and inspires.

GOVERNOR THOMAS KEAN
"Because al-Qaida represents an ideology -- not a finite group of people -- we should not expect the danger to recede greatly in years to come. No matter whom we kill or capture, including Osama Bin Laden himself there will still be those who plot against us."

Governor Thomas Kean

Congress acted quickly to endorse the 9/11 Commission recommendations, holding more than a dozen hearings during what is normally a summer recess. Legislation to adopt the recommendations, usually a slow process, is expected to be approved by the end of September because, as Republican Senator John McCain says the country is still at risk.

John McCain

U.S. SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN
"International terrorism poses a real and present danger and it is our responsibility to take action on the commissions recommendations regardless of committee or party or jurisdiction or turf."

The Bush Administration also took the war on terror to Iraq arguing that there was a link to Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida. On the American domestic front, the Department of Homeland Security has increased security at borders, airports, nuclear power plants and government facilities, and yet, three years later, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge says, the challenge to prevent future terrorist attacks is daunting.

TOM RIDGE, SECRETARY HOMELAND SECURITY
"Every day we must operate with the knowledge that our enemies are changing based on how we change. And as we shore up one vulnerability they're likely to look to uncover another."

Neil Livingstone, a terrorism expert based in Washington, DC says terrorism is an open-ended war.

NEIL LIVINGSTONE, TERRORISM EXPERT
"To say that we're winning suggest that there's going to be an absolute end to this struggle that we're involved in. "

Mr. Livingstone says the nature of the war may change, as may the opponent.

Neil Livingstone

NEIL LIVINGSTONE
"Part of our problem today is there are other major terrorist centers, and we need to do something about those. Iran has been ever since 1979, 1980 really the wellspring of terrorism in the world and of Islamic fundamentalism."

Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz says the global threat of terrorism demands a global response.

Paul Wolfowitz

PAUL WOLFOWITZ, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
"Victory in the war on terror requires sowing the seeds of hope and expanding the appeal of freedom, particularly in the broader Middle East and Muslim world."