> Counterterrorism

How Long Can the Government Hold a Terrorism Suspect?
Nearly all governments outlaw what is called administrative detention of suspected criminals, but it is just as true that nearly all declare exceptional circumstances when the rules don't apply, among them 'national security.' Each country its own rules for how long a terrorism suspect can legally be detained without charge: from indefinite detention for 'enemy combatants' at the U.S. detention f…

China Human Rights Violations Parade as Counterterrorism
China takes advantage of the opportunity offered by the Global War on Terror to crack down on the the Turkic speaking, Chinese minority of Uyghur Muslims.

What is Data Mining and What Does it Have to Do With Counterterrorism
The occasional emergence of "data mining" in U.S. news about counterterrorism programs leaves many of us wondering, "what is data mining?" Fine definitions, uses, and the potential applications in counterterrorism here.

Leadership Communication Styles As a Counterterrorism Tool
Understanding leadership communication during war is a key to winning it. A psychological study of Bush and bin Laden before and after 9/11 suggests ways to measure their intentions -- even when they don't mean to betray them.

Controversial Counterterrorism and Security Technologies
Are Biometrics terrorism's best barometers at borders and ports? Will Artificial Intelligence and Smart Cards outsmart terrorists? Here, a compendium of new, updated and future technologies designed to thwart terrorism.

How Real is the Threat of Terrorist Attack on U.S. Soil?
The threat of a terrorist attack by a "global network of extremists" on U.S. soil is a hotly debated topic. But focus on this threat is clouding our ability to distinguish different extremist groups, and their distinct goals.

9/11 Five Years Later: a Review of the State Department Counterterrorism Report
The State Department reviews counterterrorism successes and challenges five years after 9/11. Good intentions, technological advances and innovative programs abound, while an understanding of terrorism remains in short supply.

Stopping the Spread of Nuclear Weapons
Controlling the development and spread of nuclear weapons is basic to current U.S. counterterrorism strategy. Here, About.com Guide Keith Porter reviews the American response at the 2005 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty review conference.

Civilian Cyber Security Needs Upgrading
This 2005 report by the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee finds a need for more long-term research into protecting civilian infrastructure: the computers we use daily at home and work, and the networks that support them.

Reagan National Security Decison: Managing Terrorist Incidents
"Information sharing" and cooperation between agencies are post-9/11 innovations in counterterrorism. A generation ago, President Reagan divided responsibilities for terrorist attacks among the State Department, the Federal Aviation Agency, FEMA and others. Read the original document here.

U.S. State Department Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism
This State Department Office cooperates with foreign governments, multilateral organizations and others to develop and implement global counterterrorism strategies using diplomatic, economic, intelligence and law enforcement tools.