September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks

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Reflecting on the Past to Counter Future Terrorism

One Night with RAND brought together leaders in business, government, academia, and philanthropy to pay tribute to Brian Michael Jenkins and mark his 50-year affiliation with RAND and his substantial body of research on terrorism. Jenkins and other experts discussed the evolution of terrorism and strategies for countering it in the future.

commentary

Can We Predict Where Terrorists Will Strike Next?

Terrorism has escalated horizontally, not vertically. Instead of weapons of mass destruction, there has been a proliferation of low-level attacks. The trick will be to predict and prevent new plots.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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September 11: The Day That Changed My Country (and My Career Path) Forever

New York City native Colin Clarke discusses how terrorism has evolved since the September 11 attacks and how the tragedy motivated him to become a terrorism expert.

Colin P. Clarke

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Fifteen Years on, Where Are We in the 'War on Terror'?

Much has changed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Counterterrorism efforts have made progress, and Americans are safer. But it's unclear how much further the fight against terrorism has to go.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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The Response to Every Terrorist Attack Cannot Be Another Checkpoint

The Istanbul attack will renew calls to extend existing security screening at the front doors of terminals. But checkpoints create bottlenecks and queues of people waiting to get through them, which then become an easy target.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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The 1970s and the Birth of Contemporary Terrorism

While terrorism worldwide has increased over the past four decades — and the threat of terrorism continues to dominate Americans' fears — the 14 years since 9/11 have been tranquil on the home front compared to the violent 1970s.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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Terrorism and Television: A Conversation with Howard Gordon

Television producer and writer Howard Gordon discusses 9/11, television's 24, and responsible entertainment.

commentary

TSA's Cellphone Rule Part of Deadly Race

While placing explosives inside a cellphone is plausible, it is almost impossible to do so with iPhones without rendering them non-functional, which is why the TSA is now checking cell phones are actually working.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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3 Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Facts for Congress to Consider

With the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act set to expire this year, Congress is currently revisiting a crucial question: What is the appropriate government role in terrorism insurance markets? As the debate unfolds on Capitol Hill, policymakers should consider three key research findings.

Lloyd Dixon, Michael Dworsky, et al.

commentary

What Might Terrorists Do Next?

No one can predict with any certainty what terrorists might do next. If there is one lesson America learned about counterterrorism on 9/11, it's that the coming attack may look nothing like those that preceded it.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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Al Qaeda Is Down. Al Qaedism Isn't

The counterterror campaign is a marathon run against a slowly declining revolutionary idea, al Qaedism, which will take many more years to stamp out fully. The U.S. should not lose sight of the fact that while 12 years of counterterrorism efforts have helped keep it safe, many more years of vigilance lie ahead.

Andrew Liepman, Philip Mudd

q&a

Whither al Qaeda: A 'Tri-alogue' with Brian Michael Jenkins, Seth Jones, and Andrew Liepman

Recent comments by key U.S. lawmakers have again raised the issue of where the United States is in its campaign against al Qaeda. This has left some to wonder if the terrorism threat is increasing and if Americans are not as safe as they were a year or two ago. Three senior RAND analysts offer their take.

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Is the War on Terror Over? Not Yet.

Over time, al Qaeda could just fade away. Always resilient, it may morph to survive. Developments on any of several fronts might even enable it to rise again. In a long contest, surprises must be expected, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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The Torture Debate, Redux

Former Vice President Cheney has been insisting again that the coercive interrogation techniques used against terrorism detainees after 9/11 prevented attacks on the United States.... His assertions merit more careful examination, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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A Fresh Start Against Terror

commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.

Bruce Berkowitz

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Dissect the Divisions

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Gregory F. Treverton

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A Chance to Get Closer to China

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Nina Hachigian, James C. Mulvenon

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Re-Thinking U.S. Counter-Terrorism Efforts

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Peter Chalk

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Our Rage and Frustration: The War Within Us

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Gregory F. Treverton

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Terror's Aftermath: A Counterterrorism Policy for Yesterday's Threat

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Bruce Hoffman