2011

Terrorist Organizations

commentary
Osama a Wizard of Illusion and Rhetoric
Bin Laden was chairman of the board, not CEO, using his moral authority to urge his tiny army forward, pointing out new ways to kill Americans, encouraging followers to think outside the typical terrorist playbook, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
Read More »
Jun 1, 2011
Providence Journal
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Military Families

commentary
In Memoriam
Not only would the delivery of quality behavioral care prevent suicides, but it would also aid in the recovery of the nearly 20 percent of service members with post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, writes Rajeev Ramchand.
Read More »
May 29, 2011
Newsday
Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand
Global Security

commentary
Glimpse of bin Laden Techniques in Captured Records of al-Qa'ida in Iraq
Captured financial documents of al-Qa'ida's Iraq affiliate in Anbar Province revealed its internal operations and enabled one of the most comprehensive assessments of an al-Qa'ida linked group, write Benjamin Bahney, Renny McPherson, and Howard J. Shatz.
Read More »
May 27, 2011
RAND.org and GlobalSecurity.org
Benjamin Bahney, Renny McPherson, et al.
Libya

commentary
How Might bin Laden's Demise Affect Business?
Given how markets are responding thus far, Osama Bin Laden's death is likely to have a modestly positive and buoyant effect on equity markets, writes Charles Wolf, Jr.
Read More »
May 25, 2011
RAND.org and GlobalSecurity.org
Charles Wolf, Jr.
Intelligence Analysis

commentary
What Should We Expect of Our Spies?
Questions not asked or stories not imagined by policy are not likely to be answered or developed by intelligence, writes Gregory F. Treverton.
Read More »
May 25, 2011
Prospect Magazine
Gregory F. Treverton
Egypt

commentary
In Obama Speech, Will There Be Aid for Arab Spring Nations?
Assisting Arab democratic transitions will not eliminate religious extremism. But successful transitions would directly challenge the jihadist brands that promote attacks on America, writes Julie Taylor.
Read More »
May 19, 2011
CNN
Julie E. Taylor
Iran

commentary
The Quiet Before the Storm
The Iranian regime faces immense internal and external pressures that are coming to the surface in surprising ways. Indeed, the relative calm prevailing now may be a sign of the great storm to come, writes Alireza Nader.
Read More »
May 16, 2011
PBS FRONTLINE
Alireza Nader
Terrorist Organizations

commentary
Al-Qaeda after bin Laden
Wary of communicating with each other and with al Qaeda's field commands, al Qaeda central could become more isolated, more dependent on its affiliates, allied groups, and individual acolytes, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
Read More »
May 12, 2011
National Journal
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Global Security

commentary
Focus on Economic Aid to Pakistan
It makes little sense to abandon Pakistan and cut off all financial assistance...but America could reduce part of its security assistance, focusing instead on economic and humanitarian aid, writes Seth Jones.
Read More »
May 10, 2011
NYTimes.com
Seth G. Jones
Terrorist Organizations

commentary
Can You Help Stop Terror Plots?
Of the plots foiled in the last 10 years on U.S. soil, the would-be terrorists came from many different ethnic groups. We know of no cases where ethnic profiling helped stop a terrorist plot, write John Hollywood and Kevin J. Strom.
Read More »
May 10, 2011
CNN
John S. Hollywood @JohnS_Hollywood, Kevin J. Strom
Middle East

commentary
Arab Spring, not Osama bin Laden's Fall, Will Determine Middle East's Fate
The unanswered question is just what will endure in the Arab world: comparatively peaceful demonstrations leading to regime change, or brutal tactics by authoritarian regimes to crush dissent and cling to power, writes John Parachini.
Read More »
May 9, 2011
Christian Science Monitor
John V. Parachini @JohnParachini
Cybercrime

commentary
Could Bin Laden's Death Prompt a Cyber Attack?
A truly monumental attack that could cripple key U.S. computer systems — something akin to the Stuxnet worms attack on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, for example — would take many months of planning, significant expertise, and a great deal of money to pull off, writes Isaac Porche.
Read More »
May 6, 2011
RAND.org and GlobalSecurity.org
Isaac R. Porche III
Suicide Attack

commentary
What Al Qaeda Is Thinking Now: Defanged, but Desperate to Show They're Still in the Fight
There may be some spontaneous acts by individuals enraged by Bin Laden's death who are inspired to follow him into martyrdom. But these are the spasms of reaction, not planned retaliatory operations, and will not demonstrate that Al Qaeda can survive Bin Laden, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
Read More »
May 4, 2011
New York Daily News
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Global Security

commentary
Is the Arab World Changing for the Better?
If some measure of democracy does result, the elected governments likely will reflect the popular antipathy that the "Arab street" has for both the United States and Israel, writes David Aaron.
Read More »
May 3, 2011
CQ Global Researcher
David Aaron
International Diplomacy

commentary
The World after bin Laden
What's needed is an international conference of all the regional players that have a greater stake in the outcome of the Afghan/Pakistan conflict than does the U.S., writes David Aaron.
Read More »
May 3, 2011
The Washington Post
David Aaron