In The News

Europe's Angry Muslims

Robert S. Leiken July 12, 2005
While Americans worry about terrorists crossing the Mexican border, the newest mujahideen can take an easier route: armed with European passports, they are able to pass through US Customs unchallenged. Radical Islam is gaining in popularity among the disenfranchised and underprivileged second-generation European Muslims. According to writer Robert S. Leiken, Western Europe "never learned...

The Changing Face of Al-Qaida: "Outsourcing" Worldwide Terror

The Baltimore Sun July 11, 2005
Last week's terror attacks in London are widely suspected to be the work of an offshoot of al-Qaida. If so, they are further evidence of the shift in the terrorist network's strategy and identity since September 11. Many experts believe that Osama bin Laden and his followers have temporarily moved away from planning large-scale, centrally coordinated attacks on America directly and...

Al-Qaida's Smart Bombs

Robert A. Pape July 11, 2005
In spite of US counterterrorism efforts since 9/11, al-Qaida has killed over 700 people in at least 17 bombings in the last four years. An overwhelming majority of terrorists who sacrificed their lives in its attacks were citizens of Persian Gulf countries in which the US has stationed combat troops. Furthermore, most of the other suicide bombers came from Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia,...

Muslim Problem Needs a Muslim Solution

Thomas L. Friedman July 8, 2005
After the terrorist attacks in London yesterday, politicians, journalists, and the public at large began searching for answers, and started thinking about how to prevent future atrocities. Columnist Thomas L. Friedman posits that the best way to counter Islamic terrorism is for the Muslim community to publicly speak out against extremists. One of the greatest potential dangers of extremist...

China Seeks to Build Regional Influence at Summit

July 7, 2005
In an attempt to gain greater access to the energy resources in Central Asia, China is stepping up its efforts to strengthen the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) – a regional security group featuring China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. By developing the SCO into a major regional alliance, says expert Niklas Swanstrom, China is hoping not only to assure...

A Message to the South

Boutros Boutros-Ghali June 30, 2005
Is the UN in crisis? Former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali thinks so. He claims that the liberalized theories of globalization have eroded the importance of the UN’s core powers and responsibilities, and that solutions to the crisis are long-term and intricate. The newest crop of post-Cold War conflicts, increasingly difficult to resolve, leave a larger peacekeeping role for the UN. But...

Russia and Poland Seek Restored Relevance in the New Middle East

Jerzy Zdanowski June 28, 2005
Russia's role in the Middle East has always been a crucial part of its global strategy. During the Cold War, the Soviets sought allies amongst states that were alienated by the Americans. Now, Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to cash in on current economic and political possibilities in the Middle East. Russia is establishing important trade ties with countries like Turkey, as...