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.

In Iran, a Surprising, Confounding World

A host of conflicting voices make it difficult to determine who really steers the ship of state
David Ignatius
September 13, 2006

UN Inspectors Dispute Iran Report by House Panel

A US report exaggerates the Iranian nuclear threat, and one observer suggests “This is like pre-war Iraq all over again”
Dafna Linzer
September 14, 2006

Coup Ousting Thailand's Premier Tests Democracy in Key US Ally

Disgruntled by politics and a prime minister consolidating his power, the military imposes martial law
James Hookway
September 20, 2006

Bin Laden Trail “Stone Cold”

The CIA lacks clues or recent trail to its most-wanted fugitive
Dana Priest
September 12, 2006

Taliban Exposes Cracks in NATO

Alliance solidarity in jeopardy as NATO peacekeepers counter a growing insurgency in Afghanistan
Simon Tisdall
September 21, 2006