Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The geopolitical significance of the Sahara is becoming painfully clear, as unrest spills over borders and aggravates protracted regional crises.
Southern Asia is undergoing a significant transformation in the strategic force postures of its principal states.
Washington and Riyadh have enjoyed a successful relationship in combating global terror and Saudi Arabia is remarkably effective in containing the terrorist threat—but if the country loses focus on this priority, terrorism could come back with a vengeance.
Ten years ago, the USS Cole was bombed off the coast of Yemen. Since then, the situation in Yemen has deteriorated. Washington must take a balanced approach and rely on both short-term counterterrorism operations and long-term development assistance.
The violence and insecurity in Somalia has spread beyond its borders through piracy, arms deals, human trafficking, and terrorism, and Washington lacks good policy options to confront this growing global threat.
The Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) poses a major threat to India, regional stability in South Asia, and is a growing threat to U.S. security interests.
Regional cooperation and discreet aid from the West are critical for countries to regain control of their territory and prevent al-Qaeda from gaining ground in Africa.
Radical cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki's powerful appeal to violent extremists, ties to al-Qaeda, and apparent inspirational role in the failed Christmas Day bombing and the Fort Hood shooting have made him a high priority target for the Obama administration.
Countering the terrorist threat of militant groups operating in Pakistan requires not only combating those groups in Pakistan’s tribal areas, but also disrupting their global connections.
President Obama’s self-imposed deadline for closing the U.S. military detention facility in Guantanamo Bay has passed. It may take years to fully close the facility because the real problem is not only Guantanamo, but the entire U.S. detention policy.
Terrorist groups operating in weak and fragile countries continue to threaten Western interests. Since 9/11, the war on al-Qaeda and its allies has evolved and there are reports that the United States is increasing intelligence and military operations in critical states of concern. In a Carnegie Q&A series, leading experts on weak states and counterterrorism analyze the threats emerging out of these countries and offer policy recommendations for the international community.
