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.

Iraq War: Big Tasks and Narrow Window

America's tussle at the UN has narrowed the window of opportunity and complicated its tasks
March 20, 2003

Americans and Europeans Widened the Gulf before the Iraq War

A series of missteps by Washington and its European allies fractured their tenuous compromise on Iraq
François Godement
March 19, 2003

Pushing Saddam Against the Wall

France and the United States should work together to make U.N. inspections forceful and effective
Joe Clark
February 27, 2003

The Rising and Falling Power of Hydrocarbon States

The oil card is good for only a few rounds in the long-term game of international diplomacy
Dilip Hiro
July 3, 2007

Jumping on the US Bandwagon for a “War on Terror”

Major US newspapers struggle to eliminate bias and exaggerations in their reports on terror
Susan Moeller
June 21, 2007

Seething Anger in a Broken Middle East

Invasion, poverty and instability deepen institutional crisis throughout the region – with no fix in sight
Fawaz A. Gerges
June 12, 2007