In The News

Iraq, Internet Fuel Growth of Global Jihad

Dan Murphy July 13, 2005
Investigators are still sifting through the evidence of last Thursday's bombings in London and searching for those responsible. But many experts believe that the bombers were likely European Muslims who were radicalized and driven to act in the name of al-Qaida as a result of Britain's involvement in the war in Iraq. Iraqi insurgents have publicized their struggle on the internet,...

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...

Camera Phones Lend Immediacy to Images of Disaster

Yuki Noguchi July 8, 2005
The invention of camera phones has allowed everyday people to capture images of great political and social significance in an unprecedented way, sometimes beating professional photojournalists to the punch. Several survivors of yesterday's terror attacks in London recorded images of bombed subway cars and fellow victims on their camera phones. Their pictures were broadcast to the world on...

The True Face of Terror in London and Baghdad

Michael Glackin July 8, 2005
While governments and the media often proclaim that terrorism has no face, the innocent Londoners whose lives were destroyed by Thursday's indiscriminate attacks provided a daunting image of the violence. These bombings, targeting the "ordinary people," are especially perturbing given the tolerance Londoners have shown towards myriad racial groups, nationalities, and religions,...