The 13-minute audio message, in English, comes just days after the US Treasury department put Anwar Al-Awlaki on its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

"If George W. Bush is remembered as being the president who got America stuck in Afghanistan and Iraq, it's looking like Obama wants to be remembered as the president who got America stuck in Yemen," he said.

In another message released separately, Al-Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman Al-Zawahri vowed that the American troops would leave both Afghanistan and Iraq in "defeat." US officials worry Al-Qaeda's offshoot in Yemen has found refuge in the country's remote, lawless areas and could be plotting attacks against American and other Western targets. Critics, meanwhile, have warned that imposing a deadline for the withdrawal of US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq could provide the terror network a propaganda tool.

Al-Zawahri praised Taleban and Al-Qaeda-linked groups, saying they are "moving from one victory to another" in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Taleban will "enter Kabul in triumph and Obama will leave it in fear," he said in the hourlong message, his first since May.

"Oh Obama, whether you admit it or not, Muslims have defeated you in Afghanistan and in Iraq and you will be defeated in Palestine, Somalia and the Arab Maghreb," he said, referring to Islamic countries in northern Africa.

"You will not only be defeated militarily and economically but most important you will be defeated morally." Al-Awlaki, meanwhile, mocked US efforts to combat Al-Qaeda in Yemen, saying its airstrikes were only sending recruits streaming to the terror group and had "accomplished for them (Al-Qaeda) the work of years." He also dismissed the American effort to back the Yemeni government with aid and training, and said the Obama administration is being swindled.

The White House declined to comment on Al-Awlaki's message.

Washington is increasingly concerned about Al-Qaeda's growing presence in Yemen, although its efforts to contain the threat there pale in comparison to the US military and diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. In Yemen, the US

has earmarked some $150 million to help the government in San'a combat Al-Qaeda's Yemeni offshoot with training, equipment and intelligence help.

Al-Awlaki's message appeared with Arabic subtitles over still photos of the cleric and accused Fort Hood shooter, US Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, and the accused would-be Christmas Day bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

Al-Awlaki, who is on the run in Yemen, is believed to have had contacts with the accused bomber in the Christmas Day attempt to bomb a US airliner. He also is believed to have exchanged e-mails with Hasan, who suspected of killing 13 people at Fort Hood.

Born in New Mexico, Al-Awlaki, 39, is not perceived by American officials as a major tactical terror leader on par with Al-Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden. But his role as an inspirational exhorter for Al-Qaeda's cause and his growing involvement in plots aimed at the US has made him a prime target in the effort to counter the militant movement.

Six months ago the US government put Al-Awlaki on a secret list of targets to be captured or killed, according to US officials.