Threats

30 Years Later: The Marines Barracks Bombing and the Birth of Hezbollah

Three spectacular attacks targeting U.S. interests in Lebanon, including the 1983 bombing of the Marines barracks in Beirut, introduced Hezbollah to the world. By Matthew Levitt

Threats

What Happened to Iraq?

Terrorist that the U.S. subdued, but never defeated, have reemerged and now threaten to restart Iraq's sectarian civil war. By Norman Ricklefs

Ideas

No NSA Poster Child: The Real Story of 9/11 Hijacker Khalid al-Mihdhar

Sen. Dianne Feinstein is wrong to claim today’s NSA data collection would have stopped 9/11. We had the technology and data to catch Khalid al-Mihdhar. By Michael German

Business

5 Takeaways from the U.S. Special Ops Raids in Somalia and Libya

Two surprise operations illuminate America’s shadow war against terrorists and reveal important elements of Washington’s evolving counterterrorism strategy. By James Kitfield

Threats

Obama Is Changing the Way He Fights the War on Terror

The U.S. moved to capture militants in Libya and Somalia, rather than killing them. It may be better than drones, but it brings political risks. By Sara Sorcher

Ideas

America’s Longest War

America’s longest war has become its forgotten war. If there was ever a time to pay attention to Afghanistan, it’s now. By Stephanie Gaskell

Science & Tech

Pakistan's Solution to Terrorism: Ban Skype

A southern province in Pakistan is banning voice-messaging services for three months 'because terrorists are using them.' By Leo Mirani

Threats

New Report Says Russia, U.S. Must Do More to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

A new report says Russia and the United States should work together to prevent terrorists from getting access to nuclear weapons. By Rachel Oswald

Ideas

The Real Reason al-Shabab Attacked a Mall in Kenya

The violence was intended as a punishment for Kenya’s two-year military foray into Somalia, but plays into al Qaeda’s plans for a regional jihad. By Bronwyn Bruton

Threats

Who Is al-Shabab?

Here's what you need to know about al-Shabab, the terror group behind the deadly attack at a mall in Kenya. By Jonathan Masters

Threats

Al-Shabab Attacks a Symbol of Kenya's Economic Progress

Terrorists see the Westgate mall in Nairobi as a beacon of Kenya's rapidly burgeoning wealth. By Neelam Verjee

Threats

Africa's New Terrorist Training Ground

Last year, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb conquered a large swath of Mali, despite a French military intervention. Now, Africa may be the next front in the fight against terror threats. By Yochi Dreazen

Ideas

Obama's Embassy Closures Just 'Free Advertising' for Al Qaeda

Obama's disjointed response to terrorism has left the U.S. in a 'defensive crouch'. Closing embassies so far from Yemen, however, was little more than 'free advertising' for Al Qaeda. By Joshua Foust

Threats

U.S. Pulls Staff from Consulate in Pakistan

Following the closing of nearly more than a dozen embassies, the U.S. pulls non-emergency staff from a consulate in Pakistan. By Defense One Staff

Threats

Top U.S. Marine Amos on Yemen: ‘I Don’t Know How It’s Going to Turn Out’

In an exclusive interview, Marine Corps Gen. James Amos said he is concerned Yemen is becoming 'a breeding ground' for al Qaeda -- and he doesn’t know what to expect next. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Will Banning Plastic Toy Guns in Pakistan Stop Future Militants?

Some campaigners want to stop a violent culture from being formed at the youngest ages. By Abubakar Siddique

Threats

Dempsey Warns of 'Significant Threat Stream'

Western interests are a target, according to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. By Matt Berman

Threats

Worldwide Travel Alert Issued for Al Qaeda Threat

State Department issues advisories, plans to close embassies on Sunday in response to unspecified threat. By Sara Sorcher

Threats

Iraq’s Descent Into Madness, With No Americans in Sight

Prison breaks, car bombs and cozying up to Iran? This is not what was supposed to happen. By Joshua Foust

Threats

Dispatch from Afghanistan: They Don't Want to Fight, Neither Do We

In Nangarhar Province, with the war clock ticking, commanders know the Afghans cannot fight on their own -- or simply will not. “There is no commitment to victory.” By Carmen Gentile