Question

and, although no one has said as much, the ______ of al - qaedas attack on the cia in khost was to force the cia to retreat. source: time withdrawal neglect fairness purpose

Explanation:

• "withdrawal" means taking back or removing, which doesn't fit the context of the attack's intention.
• "neglect" implies ignoring or not taking care of, not relevant to the attack's aim.
• "fairness" is about being just, not related to the attack's purpose.
• "purpose" means the reason for doing something. The sentence is about the reason (purpose) of al - Qaeda's attack (to force the CIA to retreat).

Answer:

purpose