In The News

Finally, Washington Is Ready to Play Ball

Jonathan D. Pollack July 19, 2005
On July 9, North Korea announced its willingness to return to six-party discussions, after exiting negotiations more than a year ago. Anticipating the next round of talks, analyst Jonathan D. Pollack reviews the Bush administration's interaction with Pyongyang during "this oddest and most slow moving of crises." In the past, Washington has sought an unequivocal end to North Korea...

Politics Intrudes in Bombing Inquiry, Deepening the French-British Rift

Elaine Sciolino July 18, 2005
After the London terrorist attacks, British law enforcement and intelligence officials invited peers from two dozen European countries and the US to pool intelligence crucial to track down the attackers. This overture was unprecedented – intelligence agencies rarely exchange information, and then on a bilateral basis – but appropriate to the nature of international terrorism. Just two days...

Security, Terrorism and the U.K.

Chatham House July 18, 2005
In response to mounting concerns about terrorism, as well as the attacks of July 7, Chatham House, an independent think-tank, has commissioned a report on counter-terrorism and security policy options for the UK as part of its New Security Challenges program. Frank Gregory and Paul Wilkinson discuss the need for a change in thinking about what constitutes the greatest threat to Britain’s national...

Russia Eyes Stronger Clout In Caspian Region

Sergei Blagov July 18, 2005
Russian President Vladimir Putin used the opportunity of a Caspian security conference on July 14 to recommend a return to Moscow’s prior level of influence in the Caspian region. Recently, Russia has strengthened its Caspian military presence. Putin wants to strengthen it further, using the heightened force of Russia’s already established Caspian Sea Flotilla to right terrorism and narcotics...

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...

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,...