CFR.org - Terrorism

Foreign Policy: The Bin Laden Bounce

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:27:03 -0500

Obama's potential voters might not judge him only by his success on catching the al-Qaeda mastermind, but also by the way he has been handling the American economy, writes Scott Clement.

Targeted Killings

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Targeted killings have become a central component of U.S. counterterrorism operations around the globe. Despite pointed criticism over transparency and accountability issues, analysts say the controversial practice seems likely to expand in the future.

Reporting on Biosecurity from America to Zaire

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:23:47 -0500

Laurie Garrett discusses the mistakes and misjudgments made by government officials in response to the anthrax attacks of 2001 and provides recommendations for what should be done now.

Flu Season

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:32:36 -0500

Laurie Garrett says making a superbug that can infect thousands of people is easier than ever and examines if there is anything governments can do to prevent terrorists from learning how to make a devastating bioweapon.

A Public Policy Expert Looks at the Bird Flu Threat

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:17:46 -0500

Laurie Garrett discusses the public policy implications of bird flu and bioterrorism.

Pakistani Media and Anti-Americanism

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:29:02 -0500

Pakistani journalist Najam Sethi discusses the factors behind anti-Americanism in Pakistan. He says the two countries have failed to develop a strategic relationship because of their differences in Afghanistan.

Troubling Trends: Homegrown Radicals and al-Qaeda

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:07:41 -0500

A top New York City police official and author of a new book on al-Qaeda, Mitchell Silber, discusses with CFR's Ed Husain the persistent threat of a homegrown U.S. radical mounting a terrorist attack.

The Bioterrorist Next Door

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:22:50 -0500

Laurie Garrett says man-made killer bird flu is now a reality and asks if governments can--and should--try to stop it.

Washington Quarterly: Al-Qaeda and the Rise of China: Jihadi Geopolitics

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:50:22 -0500

Brian Fishman explains why Al-Qaeda affiliated jihadi thinkers are concerned with China's rise, as the country becomes increasingly tied to regimes they believe are fundamentally corrupt.

Who Is Targeting Afghanistan's Shia?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:31:35 -0500

Attacks on Shia Muslims in Afghanistan claimed by a Pakistani militant group are a disturbing omen -- for sectarian ties and the prospects for a peace deal with insurgents, says counterterrorism expert Brian Fishman.

The Al-Qaeda Factor: Assessing Al-Qaeda's Role in Attacks on the U.S. Homeland (Audio) - The Al-Qaeda Factor: Assessing Al-Qaeda's Role in Attacks on the U.S. Homeland (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:47:56 -0500

This session was a meeting of the Civil Society, Democracy, and Countering Radicalism Roundtable.

Pakistan's New Generation of Terrorists

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:03:24 -0500

Pakistan has emerged as a terrorist sanctuary for some of the world's most violent groups, including al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and homegrown militants, that threaten the stability of Pakistan as well as the region.

Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States, 2011

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:24:17 -0500

The White House released this strategy document in December 2011. The introduction states, "The SIP details how we are implementing the National Strategy for Empowering Local Partners. ...The SIP provides a blueprint for how we will build community resilience against violent extremism. It does not address our overseas CVE efforts, other than ensuring we coordinate domestic and international activities."

Foreign Policy: From Bad to Worse

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:26:34 -0500

Anand Gopal argues that the recent attacks on a Shia Muslim procession in Afghanistan, which killed fifty-eight people, are only the latest in a string of violent episodes that indicate profound lack of control in the region.

A Problematic Terrorist Detention Bill

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:54:32 -0500

Detainee policy that would mandate military custody for al-Qaeda suspects captured in the United States could have a detrimental impact on U.S. counterterrorism operations, say CFR legal experts Matthew C. Waxman and John B. Bellinger III.

What’s Wrong with Kenya’s Invasion of Somalia

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:39:02 -0500

Micah Zenko analyzes the unexpected invasion by Kenyan forces into Somalia to defeat the militant group, al-Shabaab.

Army Times: How the U.S. Hunted al-Qaeda in Africa

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:56:39 -0500

This six-part series from the Army Times looks at U.S. military operations in the Horn of Africa after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Closing Guantanamo?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:17:04 -0500

President Obama vowed in January 2009 to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay. Two years later, the White House continues to face challenges to that promise, leaving critics to suggest the facility will remain open for the foreseeable future.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A resurgent al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is reportedly exploiting the mounting political unrest in Yemen. This Backgrounder profiles the group and discusses U.S. counterterrorism operations against its members.

The Atlantic: Our Man in Kandahar

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:53:43 -0400

Abdul Raziq and his men have received millions of dollars’ worth of U.S. training and equipment to help in the fight against the Taliban. But is our ally--long alleged to be involved in corruption and drug smuggling--also guilty of mass murder?

State Department Needs “Clear Guidelines” on Engaging with Nonstate Armed Groups

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:16:13 -0400

Recent data on organized violence shows that conflicts between a state and one or more nonstate armed groups vastly outnumber interstate conflicts. As a result, argues former international affairs fellow Payton L. Knopf in a new CFR Working Paper, the State Department needs clear guidelines as to why, when, and how its diplomats should conduct outreach to these groups.

Carnegie Endowment: Yemen After Saleh's Return and Awlaki's Exit

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:45:10 -0400

The Carnegie Endowment's Christopher Boucek discusses the developing situation in Yemen and what strategies the U.S. might pursue to most successfully reduce violence in the country.

Foreign Policy: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kashmir: A Grand Bargain?

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:58:31 -0400

Teresita and Howard Schaffar review U.S. strategy options regarding Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kashmir.

Mounting Questions on Iran Terror Plot

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:17:02 -0400

It seems unlikely that the plot to kill a Saudi ambassador involved the highest levels of Iran's government, says expert Kenneth Katzman, including the plan to use non-Muslim proxies to carry it out.

State Sponsors: Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. government designates Iran as the "most active state sponsor of terrorism," which feeds concerns about Iran's growing nuclear program.

The Anthrax Letters

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:48:11 -0400

Laurie Garrett discusses the FRONTLINE documentary, "The Anthrax Letters."

The Taliban in Afghanistan

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:40:00 -0400

Ten years after being toppled from power in Kabul, the Taliban remains resilient in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and complicates U.S. efforts to wind down the Afghan war.

Follow the Money

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:01:16 -0400

Stuart Levey and Christy Clark argue that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the world's premier standard-setting body for combating terrorist financing and money laundering, and it should develop and enforce standards for sanctions implementation.

Yemen after Awlaki

Council on Foreign Relations — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:08:59 -0400

Max Boot says the death of Anwar al-Awlaki is a fleeting victory without stability in Yemen.

Will Drone Strikes Become Obama’s Guantanamo?

Council on Foreign Relations — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:00:01 -0400

John B. Bellinger III examines the legality of drone strikes used by the United States against al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders.