The links between security and globalization were highlighted by the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, and the subsequent long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Lingering poverty, inequality, religious extremism and war can sow discontent and resentment as unprecedented global mobility lends access to education and travel in other countries. Despite use of drones, cyber-warfare and other advanced weapons technology to mount counterterrorist attacks, the marginalized can strike out at vulnerable urban or economic centers. Annual global defense spending exceeds $1.6 trillion. Containing the trade in weapons, whether nuclear bombs or assault rifles, and preventing them from falling into the wrong hands remain a challenge.

China's Row With Japan Threatens to Escalate

Useful for quick manipulation, nationalism’s anger comes back to bite leaders who pursue diplomacy
John Garnaut
September 20, 2010

The Presidency, Chained to the World

Global forces dictate course that may not win popularity at home
Matt Bai
September 14, 2010

Petraeus Condemns US Church's Plan to Burn Korans

US general takes time off from combat to chastise extremists at home
Julian E. Barnes, Matthew Rosenberg
September 7, 2010

Google, Skype Targeted in India Security Crackdown

Customer privacy loses out to national-security fears
Erika Kinetz
September 3, 2010

New Dissent in Japan Is Loudly Anti-Foreign

Discontents study the US Tea Party movement as role model for anger
Martin Fackler
August 31, 2010