U.S. Policy & War on Terror
Obama's Advisers
National security and terrorism decision-making that issues from the White House is often labeled as the president's. In fact, these decisions are made by a collection of key advisors and department heads in intelligence, military, diplomacy and homeland security. On this page, you'll find the people who inform policy in the Obama administration.
Leon Panetta - Profile of Leon Panetta, CIA Director
Leon Panetta, a longtime denizen of US politics and policy worlds, is the director of the CIA in the Obama Administration
Now that the "War on Terror" is Out
The Global War on Terror, the governing theory of terrorism and foreign policy lens of the Bush era, has evolved into the concept of a global Islamic insurgency
Obama National Security Team - Dennis C. Blair, DNI Nominee
Former Commander in Chief of U.S. Pacific Command, Dennis C. Blair, is Obama's pick for Director of National Intelligence
Obama National Security Team - Janet Napolitano, Secretary of DHS Nominee
Janet Napolitano would bring substantial experience with border security and immigration issues to the job of Secretary of Homeland Security.
Obama National Security Team - Eric Holder, Attorney General Nominee
Eric Holder Jr. is Obama's pick for Attorney General. If Holder is confirmed by the Senate, he will face substantial challenges returning the Department of Justice to its pre-9/11 credibility levels.
Obama National Security Team -- Jim Jones, National Security Advisor
James Jones, a retired Marine general, is Obama's selection to be National Security Advisor.
Obama National Security Team -- Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense
Obama's national security team includes Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense. As the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates will be the chief adviser to the president on military and defense issues.
Secretary of State Designate Hillary Rodham Clinton
As the chief advisor to the president on foreign policy, the Secretary of State plays a crucial role in national security issues. As Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton will face some daunting challenges.
Economic Impact of Terrorism and the September 11 Attacks
The economic impact of terrorism can be assessed based on direct and indirect costs of an attack. Assessments of the economic impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks generally agree that the direct cost was less than at first feared.
Barack Obama on the War on Terror, the Iraq War and Homeland Security
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's views on the war on terrorism, the Iraq War and Homeland Security
Hillary Clinton on the War on Terror, the Iraq War and Homeland Security
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) views on the war on terrorism, the Iraq War and Homeland Security
Senator Joseph R. Biden on the Iraq War, the War on Terror and Homeland Security
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Joseph R. Biden's views on the war on terrorism, the Iraq War and Homeland Security
U.S. Troops In Iraq: How Many Should There Be?
The number of U.S. troops in Iraq was an issue of controversy before the 2006 Congressional Elections.
Obama Homeland Security and Terrorism Policy
Obama's approach to homeland security and terrorism policy will differ in some substantial ways from that of the Bush Administration, but will not fundamentally uproot the premise that terrorism is a key national security threat.
Is Iraq a Front in the War on Terror?
This article asks whether Iraq is a front in the war on terror, offering arguments for and against links between Iraq and WMD, Iraq and Al Qaeda, and Iraq and jihadists.
Strategic Studies Institute Global War on Terror Studies
Counterterrorism strategy, counterinsurgency tactics, nuclear policy, and military strategy are just a few of the topics addressed at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College. Download their books for free, and keep up with cutting edge research on the global war on terror.
Why Not Negotiate with Terrorists--Pros and Cons of Talking to Al Qaeda
The U.S. says it does not negotiate with terrorists. But with the stakes so high, shouldn't it consider talking to Al Qaeda? Weigh the pros and cons.
Fronts in the US Terror War
President Bush first mentioned the "War on Terror" in an address to Congress on September 20, 2001. Since then, the US Terror War has been fought around the world on a number of fronts.
The Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism Initiative
Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Africa have taken on greater importance for the United States, since the advent of th Global war on Terror. The Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Initiative (TSCTI) has been created to address terrorist threats.
AFRICOM: Controversial Command Suspected of Bringing US War on Terror to Africa
Is AFRICOM, a new unified US Command in Africa, bringing the U.S. war on terror to African countries? Or, as spokespeople for AFRICOM maintain, is it designed to support African militaries and aid development, only? African countries are suspicious.
Undersecretary of Public Diplomacy, Karen Hughes, Resigns
Karen Hughes resignation as Public Diplomacy Undersecretary of State leaves observers grappling with her legacy, as well as the role of public diplomacy in the "war on terror."
Public Diplomacy and the War on Terror: Pentagon Head Gates Wants Civilian Help
In November, 2007, Pentagon head Robert Gates outlined a new proposal to engage "civilian experts" in public diplomacy in the war on terror. The idea, however, is not so new.
In Somalia, U.S. War against Terrorism Backfires
The U.S. war against terror in Somalia is composed primarily of military action against Al Shebab, an Islamist militia. This strategy is backfiring, and helping to lead to more instability. A more fruitful strategy would treat humanitarian and political issues as interconnected.
Guantanamo Bay Timeline
The Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp was established to hold suspected Taliban and Al Qaeda members following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The treatment and status of Guantanamo Bay detainees has been highly disputed ever since.
Five Myths about Al Qaeda Terrorist Financing & Money Laundering
Terrorist financing is by its nature a mysterious endeavor, and elaborate myths about Al Qaeda's terrorist financing and money laundering abound. Here's the truth about Osama bin Laden's personal fortune, whether blood diamonds funded the September 11, 2001 attacks ... and more.
Ways We Can Affect War on Terror Policy
We all can play a part in creating the kind of war on terror policy we want to have, and in deciding if we want to have one at all. Here are three ways to begin playing a part in shaping a national policy in the war on terror.
U.S. War on Terror Is Unlikely to Become Pakistan's War on Terror
The U.S."war on terror" depends deeply on making the war Pakistan's war on terror as well. As of September 2008, several factors suggest this will be difficult at best.
Terrorism and Presidential Campaigns in U.S. History
John McCain's advisor Charlie Black had to eat his words when he suggested that a terrorist attack before the 2008 presidential election would be "a big help" to McCain. But he was partly right. History since 1980 suggests that presidential candidates' use their responses to international terrorism as symbols of their decisiveness and virility as heads of state.
Iraq War and War on Terror Remain Linked on 6th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
Although Iraq was not behind the 9/11 attacks, the linkage between the Iraq war and the War on Terror remains fundamental to U.S. foreign policy in 2007, on the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Fatah Al Islam Added to U.S. Foreign Terrorist List
In August, 2007, the U.S. added the Palestinian group in Lebanon, Fatah Al Islam, to its terrorist list, as a way to promote its foreign policy goals in Lebanon. The list of foreign terrorist organizations was designed to halt terrorist funding. Question is: is using terrorist lists the best way to carry out foreign policy goals?
Terror War Strike on Al Qaeda in Pakistan Aborted in 2005
A proposed U.S. military strike on Al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan was aborted in 2005, raising the complicated issue: how to strike at non-state actors in sovereign states?
2007 State of the Union Analysis--Terrorism in the State of the Union
President Bush reserved nearly half of his speech, and all of his rhetorical muscle, for the topics of terrorism and the war on terror in his 2007 State of the Union address to Congress.
Iran and Iraq
The United States, Iraq and Iran have complex and intertwined politics, at several levels at once.
How militancy is made: the case of the Pakistan bombings
Pakistan has been a U.S. ally in its "war on terror" since the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan in 2001. Although official alliance between the two governments, Pakistani and American, two bombings in the fall of 2006 revealed how fragile the alliance was, and how militant anti-Americanism is born.
3 Steps to Changing War on Terror Policy
Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld's departure from office in November, 2006, left many wondering whether it meant a departure from war on terror policy as well. This article argues that real policy change, however, will come from the will of the American people--and offers three steps to how we can each begin thinking about the war on terror policy we'd like the U.S. government to pursue.
Taliban Terrorism Marks Fifth Anniversary of U.S. Bombing
The Taliban are back, say U.S. Officials Five Years after declaring victory in the Afghanistan War. In fact, the Taliban never left.
Timeline of North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program
On October 9, 2006, North Korea declared it had tested a nuclear weapon for the first time, over forty years since it began its nuclear program. This timeline provides key moments in North Korea's nuclear development program.
Iraq War Definitions: Baghdad
Baghdad, a central location in the Iraq war, is one of the world's oldest cities and home to one of its newest conflicts.
Al Anbar Province
Al Anbar province in western Iraq has become a breeding ground for insurgents.
Abu Ghraib
Abu Ghraib is both an Iraqi province, and the location of Abu Ghraib prison. U.S. military police photos of detainees' abuse in 2004 linked the name to scandal.
Iran Nuclear Issue--Will More Sanctions End Iran's Nuclear Ambitions?
The possibility of an aggressive nuclear Iran appears to have abated little since sanctions were first imposed in December 2006 by the U.N. Security Council. Since then, two more rounds have been imposed. Will more sanctions make a difference?
Bush vs. Ahmadinejad at the United Nations
President Bush wants to sanction Iran for nuclear production. Iranian President Ahmadinejad says Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. Both addressed the 2006 UN General Assembly meeting. Read transcripts of their speeches and listen to the related National Public Radio story.
Axis of Evil, Outposts of Tyranny: How the U.S. labels its enemies
About Guide Matt Rosenberg offers at the history of how the U.S. names enemy states, from the Cold War Axis of Evil to today's Axis of Terror.
The Cost of the Iraq War to U.S. Taxpayers
A running total of how much U.S. taxpayers are paying for the war in Iraq, maintained by the National Priorities Project.
The War in Afghanistan: Battle for Tora Bora
Tora Bora was the last known location of the world's most wanted terrorist, Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. This interactive map from The Guardian illuminates the network of caves at the Afghan-Pakistan border, and the 2001 battle there that failed to turn up bin Laden.