Search

The article examines an alleged double standard in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) about male operatives and female operatives. In 1995 the CIA paid nearly a million dollars to over 400 women over sex discrimination. The CIA has been under fire for turning away potential recruits because of their foreign relatives. At least 25 women have complained to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission citing they are held to a higher standard concerning sexual affairs than men. INSET: Suspicious Minds.

This article discusses the military intelligence industry in the United States during 2006. The article notes that, while the intelligence industry has come under fire due to scandals involving eavesdropping and secret prisons, the intelligence industry serves a valuable purpose in preventing terrorism and aiding law enforcement. INSETS: THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY;A Man Who's Not Getting Much Sleep.

The article discusses the Summer Hard Problems workshop (SHARP), a new aspect of the war on terror. SHARP was organized by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in order to discuss the motivations behind the spread of extremism around the globe and how to stop it. Participants in SHARP workshops include intelligence experts as well as experts from the social sciences, including anthropologists and social psychologists. The article presents an account of a SHARP meeting.

The article reports that the police across the U.S. are keeping tabs on ordinary Americans. City and county police in the name of homeland security have surveilled or harassed animal-rights and antiwar protesters, union activists, and even library patrons surfing the Web. The U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security have spent important sums of money into building up local and state police intelligence operations. INSET: When the Cops Only Saw Red.

Examines how the United States is spending millions in the war on terrorism to change the very face of Islam. How the U.S. government has embarked on a campaign of political warfare unmatched since the height of the Cold War; Campaign to influence not only Muslim societies but Islam itself--from military psychological operations teams and covert operatives to openly funded media and think tanks; Views of many U.S. officials that the U.S. can no longer sit on the sidelines as radicals and moderates fight over the future of a politicized religion with over a billion followers; Growing effort to influence what officials describe as an Islamic reformation.

Offers a look at the War on Terrorism and United States politics as of August 2004. Elevation of the terrorist threat level to orange and the disclosure of al Qaeda plans to attack financial centers in the U.S.; Disclosure that the intelligence data on which the attack plans were premised were years old; Cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan in fighting terrorism; Arrests of Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan and Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani in Pakistan. INSET: Anatomy Of A Terrorism Alert.

Profiles the efforts of groups in the United States government to reform the intelligence agencies of the nation as investigations regarding the attacks of September 11, 2001 continue. Details of the programs under works by central intelligence; Efforts of the 9/11 Commission to find new information regarding Al Qaeda and the terror attacks; Role of Richard Clarke of the National Security Council; Lists and identities of CIA "spooks"; Quotes from analysts; Role of India as a nuclear power.

Reports on the resignation of U.S. Central Intelligence Agency director George Tenet. Discussion of the controversies surrounding Tenet and the CIA during his seven-year tenure as director; Details of the challenges Tenet faced when he took over the post in 1997; Tenet's achievements as director; Claim that Tenet is particularly proud of the CIA's work in the war on terrorism, the Middle East peace process, and the agency's unraveling of the nuclear black market that stretched from Pakistan to Libya and North Korea; Comparison between Tenet and the last long-serving CIA director, William Casey; Discussion of the CIA's biggest blunders under Tenet: the agency's failure to stop the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and its flawed intelligence on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; Speculation about whether the CIA will be able to regain its status as the world's leading intelligence agency after these and other glaring failures; Speculation about why Tenet resigned last week; Speculation about who will replace Tenet.

Discusses the investigation into the Abu Ghraib prison scandal in Iraq. Finding of Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller that United States oversight of Iraqi prisons was almost nonexistent, which he reported to Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq; Question of who is responsible for prisoner abuses carried out by the 372nd Military Police Company; Number of low-level soldiers facing court-martial, including Spc. Jeremy Sivits; Speculation that blame will be placed on Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski and others further up the chain of command; The role of intelligence operatives in the scandal; Details of the U.S. Congressional hearing on Abu Ghraib; Two factors that confuse the issue of who was in charge of the prison; The controversy over interrogation practices and detainees held at the Pentagon's base at Guantánamo Bay; Mention of Donald Rumsfeld's visit to Iraq; Concern that the Abu Ghraib photographs will further endanger Americans.

Reports on the reaction of the administration of U.S. president George W. Bush of criticisms of their record on terrorism by former counterterrorism czar Richard A. Clarke. Details of Clarke's testimony before the commission investigating the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; Details of charges made by Clarke against the Bush and Clinton administrations in his book, "Against All Enemies;" Report on the controversy surrounding national security advisor Condoleezza Rice's refusal to testify under oath before the commission; Speculation about whether Clarke's criticisms of Bush could raise doubts about his effectiveness as a wartime leader; Details of the media campaign by the White House to counter Clarke's charges and undermine his credibility; Response of Clarke and his supporters to the White House attacks; Potential impact of Clarke's assertions that the Bush administration failed to take seriously the threat posed by Al Qaeda prior to September 11; Potential impact of Clarke's sharp criticisms of Bush's decision to go to war Iraq; Details of the findings of the September 11 commission; Speculation about whether the CIA was serious about plans to assassinate Osama bin Laden prior to September 11; Details of testimony by CIA director George Tenet. INSET: THE TRAIL OF TERROR.

Reports on Saudi Arabia with the view that Saudi oil money supported the creation of a global terror network. The role of Saudi Islamic charities in funding jihadists in many countries; Details of how charities were used to spread Wahhabism; The role of Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, al Qaeda, and Afghanistan in forging bonds among Muslims who promote violence; Focus on the Muslim World League, Al Haramain Foundation, and the International Islamic Relief Organization; Background on the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency investigation of foreign jihadists in Bosnia and other countries; Probe by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation into terrorist fundraising; The issue of American desire for Saudi crude oil; Challenges facing Western intelligence services in penetrating terrorist cells; Idea that the Saudi royal family is trying to modernize the fundamentalist society; The lawsuit in U.S. courts filed against the Saudis by family members of terrorist victims.

Discusses the search for al Qaeda by U.S. terrorist hunters. Retracing of the war on terror; Impact of America's frontline agents on disabling the al Qaeda terrorist network; Concern over future terrorist attacks in the U.S.; Warnings from al Qaeda official Ayman al-Zawahiri following bombings in Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

Looks at how authorities tracked down and arrested alleged snipers John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo. The killing spree in suburban Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia; The history and pathologies of Muhammad and Malvo; How they transformed their car into a killing chamber; Attempts by criminologists to explain the crime in light of past serial killers; Frustrations of Police Chief Charles Moose; Phone calls made by the snipers; Muhammad's .223-caliber Bushmaster assault rifle; Uncertainty of motive.

Discusses the bioterrorism attacks on the United States, in light of deaths and sickness from anthrax. Idea that public health officials are learning quickly about the medical science behind bioterrorism; Topic of the composition of the anthrax spores which were sent to Senator Tom Daschle; Question of whether there are more letters containing anthrax in circulation and how virulent they are, and how people should be examined and treated.

Focuses on concerns about the presence of anthrax in mail in the United States. How the U.S. Postal Service ordered anthrax testing at a number of mail centers along the East Coast and random checks around the country; Response of the White House to the attacks; Statement of Ari Fleischer that the anthrax sent to Tom Daschle must have been produced by a Ph.D. microbiologist in a well-equipped lab; Implications of a meeting of terrorist hijackers Mohamed Atta and Marwan al-Shehhi with a pharmacist.

Reports on fears of anthrax in the United States. The effect of government warnings concerning bioterrorism and biological weapons preparedness on the public consciousness; Fear and hysteria concerning instances of anthrax exposure to major public figures; View that terrorists behind the anthrax delivery have succeeded in their goal to create fear.

Reports on bioterrorism in the United States. Envelopes containing white power sent to a Microsoft office in Reno, Nevada, National Broadcasting Co. Inc.'s offices in New York, and to American Media Inc. in Boca Raton, Florida; Difficulties in launching biological terrorism attacks. INSET: A once and future scourge.

Focuses on the terrorist attack on the United States Pentagon in Washington D.C., and the World Trade Center in New York City. Reaction of the country to the attack; Declaration of war by U.S. President George W. Bush; Support which the U.S. has received from other countries; Role of Pakistan in retaliation efforts of the U.S.; Need for the terrorists to be identified; Evidence suggesting that terrorist Osama bin Laden was involved in the attacks; Way that Americans have united after the attacks. INSETS: Anatomy of a collapse;A five-sided nightmare.

Discusses the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). How public support of the FBI has eroded due to its failure to disclose evidence to the lawyers of convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh's lawyers and to the discovery that veteran agent Robert Hanssen was a Russian spy; Problems which occurred while Louis Freeh was director, from 1993 to 2001; Slowness with which the FBI adopts technology; Penchant of the FBI for keeping secrets; Outlook for the FBI under a director to be named by President George W. Bush. INSETS: Success and failure;The greatest hits.

Discusses investigations at the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Energy, prompted by the arrest of FBI agent Robert Hanssen and unproven spy allegations against physicist Wen Ho Lee. Damage done by counterintelligence investigations at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) after the arrest of double spy Aldrich Ames; Question of whether polygraphs are helpful in such investigations; How the agencies must guard national security, but not at the expense of agents' individual rights. INSET: Pandora's box.

Focuses on Robert Hanssen, senior agent with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who was arrested and charged with espionage against the U.S. for the Russian government. Biographical information; Details on how he was caught; Thoughts on the public image of Hanssen, and how it contradicts charges that he was a traitor. INSET: The Bloch case: shnook or spy?.

Reports on the efforts of the United States to control acts of terrorism. Discussion of Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the terrorist attack on the USS Cole; Discussion of terrorist cells, which are placed under surveillance; Use of a legal process called rendition in which suspects are returned to their home country; Role of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); Discussion of the mujahideen underground railroad, which recruits young terrorists to Afghanistan.

Discusses the international car theft trade. Industry dominated by crime syndicates; Number and costs of vehicles stolen yearly in the United States; Number of US stolen cars smuggled abroad in 1997; Profits which can be made on US stolen cars overseas; Soft penalties for car smuggling; Drug dealers who steal cars; US cars that end up in Mexico; Use of high technology to track down car thieves; Views of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). INSET: Protecting your car from a pro, by Richard Folkers.

Focuses on the increase in individuals suspected of using or planning to use radiological, biological, or chemical agents in terrorist attacks in the United States. Background on suspects James Dalton Bell, Larry Wayne Harris, suspects from the Minnesota Patriots Council, and followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh; Other suspects; Why exotic poisons are attracting terrorists and other criminals.

The article explores the U.S. Supreme Court ruling against President George W. Bush's post-September 11 policy that the Geneva Conventions did not apply to al Qaeda terrorist suspects. The president revealed the transfer of top al Qaeda suspects from Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) overseas prisons to the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay (Cuba). He maintains, along with CIA officials, that techniques employed at the secret prisons provided necessary intelligence gains. INSETS: TERROR'S TRAIL;Gitmo Bound.

This article looks at the news that the U.S. government has been monitoring and eavesdropping on Americans without appropriate warrants. The National Security Agency and the FBI have been running counterterrorism investigations on animal rights, environmental, antiwar, and peace activist groups without warrants. President George W. Bush has authorized the warrantless searches on at least thirty occasions and plans to continue. He believes that Americans want him to err on the side of security. Civil liberties watchdogs believe that the security agencies have gone overboard. INSET: The Good Old Bad Old Days.

The article discusses Chechen terrorism in Russia. This southern Russian community of 30,000 endures the heartbreaking aftermath of Russia's worst terrorist attack: the takeover of Beslan's Middle School No. 1, in which at least 368 people were killed and hundreds of others injured by explosions and gunfire. The killings are but the latest of a dozen bloody attacks that have claimed nearly 1,000 lives in Russia over the past two years. Among the targets: airliners, commuter trains and subway stations, government buildings, a hospital, a rock concert, and a Moscow theater. Russian officials blame all these attacks on terrorists from Chechnya, a Muslim republic with the legacy of a dogged independence movement, and a growing influence of Islamic radicals from abroad who have found there both a battlefield for jihad and an inspiration for their global cause. The Russians call them the Vakhabity--the Wahhabis--using the name for adherents of Saudi Islam to describe religious militants in their Muslim republics. They began appearing as early as 1987, before the Soviet Union broke up, according to Alex Alexiev, a terrorism specialist at the Center for Security Policy. Among the key funders, investigators say: the Riyadh-based al Haramain Foundation, through its offices in nearby Azerbaijan and Dagestan as well as in the United States. Just last week, Treasury officials officially blacklisted al Haramain's U.S. branch, based in Oregon, for alleged ties to al Qaeda and fund transfers to Chechnya. Another foundation, Benevolence International in suburban Chicago, sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to Chechen fighters, according to court records.

Considers the role of the United States Congress in overseeing the nation's intelligence agencies. Criticism of Congress by the 9/11 commission for lacking the power, influence, and sustained capability to properly oversee the nation's 15 intelligence agencies; Impact of partisanship on a collapse of the oversight system; Challenges faced by members of the intelligence committees because term limits keep them from building up the knowledge they need; Use of experience by intelligence officials to intimidate congressmen and deflect tough questions; Focus on "turf battles" in Congress.

Looks at the independent investigation being conducted on intelligence failures on September 11, 2001. A link to Osama Bin Laden and others through eavesdropping by the National Security Agency (NSA) a year before the attacks; One suspect who turned out to be Khalid al-Mihdar, one of the hijackers who would die that day; Failure to discover al-Mihdar was in the United States at the time of the tapings; Questions of why the calls were not traced and followed up; Claim by the agency that it foiled several plots over the next three years; Findings of inquiry so far; Limitations of the U.S. intelligence services.

Reports on the tension and security within the United States borders. Why the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued an advisory that they were seeking a Saudi Arabian named Adnan el Shukrijumah; Number of people arrested connected to smuggling money abroad and selling fake passports to people in Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan and other countries; Other security measures taken by police departments across the country; Where National Guard personnel have been deployed throughout the U.S.

Reports on the arrests of al Qaeda terrorists, and victories in the United States war on terrorism. Exploitation of intelligence documents and interrogations; Use of informants; Capture of terrorist Ramzi Binalshibh; Status of high alert for U.S. officials; Investigation of Osama Bin Laden's training camps; Risk of intelligence failures.

Discusses the investigation into the terrorist attacks on the United States, and the efforts of investigators in the U.S. to link Osama bin Laden to the attacks. Actions of U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation director Robert Mueller; Arrest of people thought to be linked to the attacks; Outlook for the cooperation of suspects; Need for evidence against bin Laden before an attack can be launched by the U.S. against the Al Qaeda organization.

Focuses on the efforts of the United States government to respond to chemical and biological attacks. The collection of antidotes to bioagents and chemical weapons; Effects of antiterrorism efforts on the US budget; Details of a 1999 report by the US General Accounting Office, which criticizes the spending of money on fighting a threat yet to be fully assessed; Interest of government agencies in antiterrorism efforts in order to obtain funds.

Focuses on the law enforcement efforts to deal with and track hate crimes and organizations in the United States. Examples of crimes with racist killers; How civil libertarians argue that spying on citizens undermines democracy; Obstacles to preventing the hate killings.

Discusses terrorism and hate crimes in the United States since the Oklahoma City bombing as of December 1997. The nationwide crackdown on violent extremists by authorities; The increase of domestic terrorism cases; The benefit of the tactic of opening lines of communication with militia movements; Comments from several sources.

The article discusses recent events in U.S. politics. Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, a conservative Republican, will announce his intention to run for President in 2008 within the month, as will outgoing Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's opponents have launched a website criticizing her possible 2008 Presidential bid.

The article reports that intelligence agencies are turning to Internet technology such as blogs, wikis, instant messaging, and chat to assist in the war on terror. The article also discusses the search engine known as the Intelligence Value Estimation and an office of the National Security Agency known as the Knowledge Discovery Group.

The article offers news briefs on issues in Washington, D.C. The National Republican Congressional Committee is concerned the June 6 special election to fill an empty seat could ultimately result in a loss of GOP control over the House. The federal government plans to restrict access to the statistical information on how oil prices are set. The Senate Intelligence Committee is attempting to pass a bill which would require the president to be more forthcoming with details on the warrantless surveillence program and clandestine detention facilities.

The article presents news briefs from across the United States. Al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 9/11 attacks. New Orleans (La.) mayor Ray Nagin has a plan to evacuate residents who do not have access to transportation in the event of another hurricane. Montana offers 78 posthumous pardons to ethnic Germans who were charged with sedition during World War I.

This article offers news briefs on U.S. politics. Condoleeza Rice polled very high among California Republicans. CIA bloggers are reminded that the agency must approve any writings by past and present employees. There are hints that Rudy Giuliani may run for president in 2008. Donald Rumsfeld appeared at a retirement party for a member of the Pentagon press corps. MSNBC is edging closer to CNN in the 25-to-54 demographic. President George W. Bush called on photographer Larry Downing to take pictures at an event.

This article offers world news briefs. Iran has agreed to talks with the U.S. on ways of curbing sectarian violence in Iraq. The body of Slobodan Milosevic has been returned to Serbia for burial. The South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan resigned over his decision to play golf rather than attend to a railway strike. The U.S. military will no longer operate facilities in Iceland. U.S. intelligence is monitoring criminal rackets run by the government of North Korea.

The article discusses national security issues which have been raised in the United States after the announcement that Dubai Ports World, owned by the United Arab Emirates, would purchase terminals at six U.S. seaports. While the story generated a lot of political dissent and media attention, the real security issues surround weaknesses that already exist.

This article discusses the upcoming release of the report of the congressional investigative committee looking into the government's response to Hurricane Katrina. The report reportedly includes scathing findings and the administration of George W. Bush is scrambling to blunt the criticism. Rep. Tom Davis' committee will try to answer questions about why President George W. Bush and other members of his staff remained on vacation. Frances Townsend plans to put out her own report of what went wrong before the committee's report.

The article offers a discussion about executive power and the issue of whether the U.S. government should be able to eavesdrop on domestic citizens without obtaining warrants. The President George W. Bush administration faces growing concern over its exercise of executive power. Among the issues are the administration's endorsement of secret prisons, detention without trial, brutal interrogation techniques for terrorism suspects, and eavesdropping on U.S. citizens without warrants. The National Security Agency began monitoring telephone calls and electronic mail messages of Americans.

The article presents news briefs related to current events and politics. A new policy requiring search warrants is expected to go into force in Iraq. C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb responds to the suggestion that he should become CBS's television news anchor. Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel will be a presidential candidate in 2008. Drug traffickers in Afghanistan are finding ever more clever ways to disguise their product for exportation. The Web site AnySoldier.com connects U.S. soldiers with donors ready to help.

The article reviews international news briefs for the week of November 14, 2005. The article reviews the recent outbreak of riots and vandalism in France. Also discusses is a ¿Washington Post¿ report on the U.S. practice of hold some al Qaeda suspects in secret detention facilities or so called ¿black sites.¿ New reports released claim that Afghanistan is now a major producer of poppy and marijuana. The article also reviews growing fears of a new war between Ethiopia and Eritrea discussion related to relocating the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin.

Examines the accuracy of U.S. intelligence services related to the operations of Al Qaeda. Results of a report by a bipartisan presidential commission on the administration of intelligence services in the War on Terrorism; Claim of the commission that U.S. intelligence agents failed to address the weapons capabilities of Al Qaeda until after the invasion of Afghanistan; Report of the commission that Al Qaeda's possession of weapons of mass destruction remains unclear; Recommendations for the reform of intelligence services.

Offers political news briefs. Fear of North Korea conducting nuclear tests within the year; Significance of Howard Dean's avoidance of the spotlight since being elected Democratic National Committee chair; Impact of departing staff on the Office of Counterterrorism; Expectation of high turnover in the Republican staff of the House Intelligence Committee; Role of the Ruckus Society in targeting the U.S. Army; other topics.

Focuses on the reforms made to the United State intelligence community. Reference to the report of the 9/11 Commission, which called for an overhaul of the intelligence community; Creation of a director of national intelligence (DNI); Comment made by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts; Formation of the National Counterterrorism Center to assess terrorist threats; Reforms related to homeland security; Claim that the changes recalibrate the balance of power over U.S. intelligence activities; Question of who will be appointed as the nation's first DNI.

Examines the performance of Porter Goss, the appointed director of central intelligence in the U.S. Controversy surrounding several key decisions made by Goss; Influence of partisan politics on Goss' management decisions; Organizational conflict within in the CIA after Goss' appointment; Impact of changes at the CIA on reform efforts across the U.S. intelligence community.