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.

Public Staggered by Costs but Wants to Stay the Course

Americans want to give U.N. control in order to get more foreign troops in Iraq
September 23, 2003

YouTube Declines Senator Lieberman Request to Remove Terrorist-Produced Videos

Community-policing systems and popularity contests deflate the power of terrorist videos on open internet forums
Heather Havenstein
May 23, 2008

The War on Terror is Not a Clash of Cultures

Samuel Huntington's thesis has yet to be borne out.
Alexander Downer
September 15, 2003

An Enduring Peace Built on Freedom

America needs strong friends because it has strong enemies
John McCain
August 31, 2007

Pressuring Tehran

Worried about nuclear weapons, the international community gives Iran an ultimatum.
Mustafa El-Labbad
September 19, 2003