WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - The global economic crisis is the top near-term U.S. security concern, and one-fourth of countries have experienced at least some instability because of it, U.S. intelligence agencies reported on Thursday.
The Director of National Intelligence's annual threat assessment also said al Qaeda's leadership had been weakened over the last year. But security in Afghanistan had deteriorated and Pakistan must gain control over its border areas before the situation would improve, the report said. (Reporting by Randall Mikkelsen; Editing by Doina Chiacu)