Covert agencies will always take "measures" to further their aims. we saw this with the Iran/Contra affair. Mossad and I am sure others do the same.

In this instance "Al Qaeda" is used as a bogeyman to give the fight on terror a focus. something the ordinary person in the street can relate to..

However, it is also naive to think that Al-Qaeda or a "network" does not or cannot exist. Goen are the days of Bader Meinhoff and red Brigade. Now, especially with the advancement of communications, "like minded" groups are able to work together to achieve their common goals.