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.

“Axis of Democracy” Flexes Its Military Muscles

Japanese and US military exercises in the Pacific may not convince China to slow its military spending
Hisane Masaki
April 4, 2007

Immigrants Stoke Fears in New Delhi

"The prospect of links between Nepal's Maoists and Indian extremists is one of the government's worst nightmares."
Nirmal Ghosh
December 9, 2002

An Arab Initiative That Can Work

Arab leaders take a historic step in consolidating views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Daniel Kurtzer
March 22, 2007

Ready for a Fight

The discovery of empty chemical warheads in Iraq may not be the “smoking gun” that will start a war, but the pressure is building on a defiant Saddam Hussein.
January 17, 2003

We Can Still Pursue an Ethical Foreign Policy

But the Iraq invasion and accompanying chaos complicate future attempts by powerful nations to assist those vulnerable to human-rights violations
Adrian Hamilton
March 22, 2007