Bush predicts more terrorism

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Amid fresh questions on the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, President Bush on Wednesday predicted a "spring thaw" that will bring an increase in terrorist activity as bin Laden's network tries to regroup and strike again.

Still, he pledged, "We will defeat the threats against our country and the civilized world."

The president used an address to cadets at Virginia Military Institute to give an update on his war against terrorism at a time when dubious results of his Mideast peace initiative and the lingering, elusive specter of bin Laden have claimed the headlines.

Bush focused on what he called "day by day, terrorist by terrorist" progress and said resolving the Israeli-Palestinian crisis is part of his broader -- and long -- battle against terrorism.