In The News

The First Step Towards Defeating the Terrorists: Stop Blaming Ourselves

Gerard Baker August 11, 2006
Uncertainty abounds in assessing the seriousness of any terrorist threat that has been thwarted. London Times Editor Gerard Baker criticizes those who would either accuse authorities of overreacting to the threat in an effort to boost poll numbers or those who would excuse attacks as a justified reaction to US and UK foreign policy. Indeed, actions by the US and its allies – from the invasion...

Pakistani Intelligence Helped Foil Bombing Plot

Zahid Hussain August 10, 2006
Pakistan’s intelligence agencies helped British in stopping a plot to blow up aircraft traveling between the UK and the US. While the UK arrested 21 people in connection with the plot, Pakistan arrested leader of the outlawed Islamic group Lashkar-e-Taiba, or LeT. India has fought LeT in Kashmir and also suspects the militant group for recent train bombings in Mumbai. Police report that...

Now Is the Time to Think Big in the Middle East

Joschka Fischer August 9, 2006
Israel’s dual conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah amount to a war by proxy, according to German author Joschka Fischer, who suggests that the two groups coordinated attacks to provoke an extreme response from Israel. Backing the attacks are Syria and Iran, which seek greater control throughout the Middle East. The attacks did manage to push any recognition of Israel by Hamas leaders to the back...

A Poisoned Relationship

Matthias Gebauer August 9, 2006
Historically, the United Nations and Israel have been at odds. The UN repeatedly scolds the nation for its actions, and many Israelis view the UN as weak in controlling militant groups that claim Israel has no right to exist. The relationship between the Israel and the UN can only erode more, following the Israeli bombing of the UN post in Lebanon. Israeli media have downplayed a story that...

A Fight Against Terrorism – and Disorganization

Karen DeYoung August 9, 2006
US government bureaucracy and spending has exploded since the 9/11 attacks five years ago. The US has spent almost $500 billion on counter-terrorism, and layers of protection that often overlap – which doesn’t include a burgeoning private security industry – yet many experts still question the country’s safety. Government agencies still clash and fight for turf. For example, the Central...

The Meaning of the Mumbai Blasts

Michael Krepon August 7, 2006
After the Mumbai train attacks, India, Pakistan and the US offered predictable reactions: India expressed outrage, while struggling for an acceptable way to deal with Pakistan. Pakistan expressed condolences and a hope that the normalization process with India would proceed. The US offered support for India’s fight against terrorism. The reactions reveal that the three countries are in a bind,...

Heed the Voice of Asia in Peace Talks

Michael Vatikiotis August 7, 2006
Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, combined with the unwillingness of Washington and European capitals to step in to stop the carnage, has reduced the forces of moderation in Southeast Asia, creating another potential haven for extremist activity. With images of the destruction caused by Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah broadcast throughout these largely Muslim countries, groups such as “Jihad...