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.

Can You Tell a Sunni From a Shiite?

US officials in charge of counterterrorism display ignorance about history of Islam and the nature of the conflict in Iraq
Jeff Stein
October 26, 2006

Horn of Africa Braces for Violence in Wake of Somalia's Failed Peace Talks

Islamist fighters converge on the region
Alisha Ryu
November 3, 2006

US Web Archive Is Said to Reveal a Nuclear Primer

International weapons experts raised alarms about US release of “how to” manuals on nuclear and chemical weapons
William J. Broad
November 3, 2006

Software Being Developed to Monitor Opinions of US

Threats, as perceived by the US, could expand exponentially with new plans to electronically track nasty newspaper comments
Eric Lipton
October 5, 2006

Islam, Terror and the Second Nuclear Age

What would “The Koran” say about nuclear weapons?
Noah Feldman
November 1, 2006