In The News

The War on Terror Requires Subtler Weapons

Daniel Byman May 26, 2003
As the "war on terrorism" continues, the U.S. and its allies find it increasingly difficult to eradicate terrorist groups. With much of al-Qaeda's senior leadership still alive, and with new sites emerging as potential "training grounds" for terrorists in various corners of the world – Chechnya, Kashmir, the Chinese province of Xinjiang, Indonesia, etc. – it has become...

U.S. Eyes Pressing Uprising in Iran

Glenn Kessler May 25, 2003
After the bombings in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. has started contemplating plans to reform Iran in order to eliminate possible Al Qaeda links and Iran's own nuclear programs. While some Pentagon officials have supported the idea of a popular uprising to destabilize the current Iranian government, the State Department doubts the level of discontent within the country that is needed for such an...

Amid the Leaks

Khaled Dawoud May 23, 2003
There is heated speculation and investigation around the recent bombings in Saudi Arabia and Morocco. For the US, as this article shows, these bombings can have many implications. During its "war of Liberation" in Iraq, Al-Qaeda was believed to be relatively inactive, and the Bush administration recently commended itself for arresting key Al-Qaeda operatives. But confirmed and suspected...

After the Bombing, Reflections

Abeer Mishkhas May 20, 2003
Now that bombs have finally reached Saudi Arabia's own capital, the illusion that the Kingdom could not be a target has disappeared. Abeer Mishkhas argues in this Arab News article that ignorance is what has led to prejudice and hatred, and that "if ignorance is removed, the evils can be conquered." A more tolerant teaching philosophy that educates the children to think...

The Unseen War

Michael Massing May 19, 2003
In this article, veteran journalist Michael Massing expresses concern about the American media's coverage of the Iraq war. The Coalition Media Center in Baghdad was a very "uninformative" source for the media, as described by Massing, yet its official news briefings – which were usually very upbeat and pro-Coalition – seemed to be accepted as 'the final word' by most...

A Bombing Shatters the Saudi Art of Denial

Neil MacFarquhar May 18, 2003
Until the recent car bombings in Riyadh linked to Islamic fundamentalist group Al-Qaeda, Saudi Arabia’s rulers, the Al-Sauds, had been able to keep up a pretty good balancing act. It seemed they were able to maintain absolute political control while they negotiated with religious leaders the rights to control over the country's social life. However, alarmed now by the terror at home, Saudi...

Suicide Bombings Are Condemned in Saudi Mosques

Steven R. Weisman May 17, 2003
US officials have linked the deaths of 34 people in three car bombings in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to Islamic fundamentalists, namely Bin-Laden's Al-Qaeda network. Akin to the scenario after 9/11 when Muslims around the world defended Islam as a religion that does not preach violence, Saudi Imams and laymen alike condemn the bombings as "criminal acts." However, most view the...