Policy
As More US Troops Head to Iraq, New Congressional Approval Isn’t Going Anywhere
Despite some legal experts' claims that the U.S. shouldn't fight ISIS on the authority to fight al-Qaida, the issue is a political hot potato in almost every corner of Washington.
Threats
It's Nearly Impossible to Understand What Motivates Terrorists
Asking how people join terrorist groups is more worthwhile than asking why.
Ideas
Forget Ivory, Africa's al-Shabaab Terrorists Are Getting Rich on Coal in Somalia
False portrayals of the terrorist group's role in the ivory trade could leave us with both more terrorists and fewer elephants in Africa.
Threats
Boko Haram and Nigeria's Army Are in a Human Rights Abuse Feedback Loop
Just as the White House wants to escalate its role in Nigeria's war with Boko Haram, Amnesty International says Abuja's army has a disturbing abundance of human rights abuses all its own.
Threats
How Not To Fix Airport Screening
A rush to add layers to airport security and screen more passengers will make the system less safe.
Threats
ISIS Sets Its Sights on Saudi Arabia, and That’s Bad News for Washington
Nothing the terror group has done so far would be so menacing to U.S. interests.
Threats
How Terrorism Prolongs Conflict But Loses the War
Rebel groups that employ the tactic in civil wars seldom win or gain concessions—but they tend to make ending a conflict much more difficult, a new paper finds.
Threats
This Is What Bin Laden Was Reading Just Before He Was Killed
The English-language books in particular present a fascinating picture of the terrorist's interests, including journalist Bob Woodward’s account of president Obama’s wars.
Threats
Is US Foreign Policy Ignoring Homegrown Terrorists?
U.S. intelligence officials say the most likely terror threats facing American citizens come from 'home-grown' extremists. So why is it largely absent from debate in Washington?
Threats
How Terrorist Bounties Are Calculated
Osama Bin Laden had a $25 million prize on his head, and even that might have been undervalued.
Threats
In Pakistan’s War on Terror, Ordinary People Are Increasingly Vulnerable
Militants, stung by government operations in tribal areas, are refocusing their attacks on citizens.
Science & Tech
How the Islamic State Is Disrupting Online Jihad
The Islamic State group’s use of social media for messaging has drawn plenty of attention. But their use of the web to mount terrorist attacks is just as revolutionary.
Threats
How Kenya’s Counterterrorism Effort Turned Counterproductive
Even the staunchest anti-Shabaab Somali community feels alienated by the security forces’ brutal tactics.
Science & Tech
Apple to DoD: Here’s What To Do If Terrorists Take Down the Cell Network
The iPhone company says there’s a way to keep communicating during a catastrophe.
Threats
The Moscow Migrant Workers That Are Now ISIS Foot Soldiers
The terrorist group could now be threatening Russia's security.
Ideas
The United States Needs a Drone Board
If we’re going to keep killing citizens by drone, we need a better form of due process for it.
Threats
Afghanistan Says ISIS Has Come
A suicide bombing in Jalalabad could signal the terrorist group's foothold in other unstable countries.
Ideas
How Terrorists Are Turning Robots Into Weapons
Terrorists and college kids already have hacked into government drones. It's time to rethink security with the rise of robotics.
Threats
New Nigerian President Buhari Has a New Plan for Taking on Boko Haram
Muhammadu Buhari's op-ed in the New York Times signals a change in approach to taking on the terrorist group.
Ideas