In The News

Moscow Hostage Crisis Repercussions Felt Across Caucasus and Central Asia

October 31, 2002
The hostage crisis in Moscow has prompted neighboring countries to individually convene in security councils addressing the same issue of counterterrorism. Domestic decisions will have potential to determine the stability of cross national relations. While Azerbaijan has immediately closed its Chechen cultural center in an attempt to reduce tensions with Russia, for example, Georgia’s reluctance...

Muslim-as-Apple-Pie Videos Are Greeted With Skepticism

Jane Perlez October 30, 2002
Four new videos showing American Muslims feeling happy and at home in the US are being pre-screened in Indonesia. The videos, paid for by the US State Department, feature a baker, a teacher, an emergency medic, and the head of the US National Institutes for Health, all offering glowing testimonials to American tolerance and acceptance of Muslims. The spots are intended to be shown in Muslim...

Occupancy Rates Plunge to Only 11 Percent in Bali

A’an Suryana October 25, 2002
Recent terrorist bombings in Bali have pushed the island to the brink of an economic crisis. With an occupancy rate of 11 percent in the 1,400 hotels, tourism is almost non-existent. Bali derives about 40% of its income from tourism and side services that cater to tourists. But there seems to be little the island can do. Most of the countries from which the victims of the bombing hailed have...

F.B.I. to Open Liaison Office in Beijing, Ashcroft Says

Elisabeth Rosenthal October 24, 2002
The US will set up an F.B.I. liaison office in Beijing to help the Chinese in their fight against terrorism as well as smuggling and money laundering – two criminal activities often found to provide material support for terrorists. In a country where the police are weak, due process is sparse, and the legal system is relatively undeveloped, how this help will manifest itself is still uncertain....

Moscow Siege May Have Wider Terror Link

Andrew Jack October 24, 2002
Men and women claiming to be Chechen rebels have taken hostage 700 people in a theater in Moscow. These same rebels were shown on the Al-Jazeera television network affirming their willingness to die, which suggests a link between the rebels and other terrorist organizations. The Russian president Vladimir Putin has already argued that such a link exists. Putin’s promise to deal with Chechnya...

Unmanned U.S. Planes Comb Arabian Desert for Suspects

Neil MacFarquhar October 23, 2002
The war on terror has extended to a new geographic location - the Empty Quarter, or the Rub al-Khali in Arabic, in Yemen. Pilotless American surveillance planes have been flying over the soaring dunes and craggy valleys that extend for some 900 miles from the frontier of Yemen to the foothills of Oman, and 500 miles northward into central Saudi Arabia. The spy planes are scouring the ground for...

Dark Clouds Hang over Indonesian Tourism after Bali Bomb Blasts

Fitri Wulandari October 14, 2002
Successful, large-scale tourism requires both great attractiveness and a basic guarantee of safety for visitors. Often billed as an island paradise, Bali's economy is now almost completely dependent upon international tourism. But according to Indonesian tourism officials, Saturday's terrorist bombing of a crowded Bali nightclub threatens to destroy the industry. Vacationers from...