TerrorismCentral Newsletter Archive
For the year 2005
For the year 2007 | For the year 2006
For the year 2004 | For the year 2003 | For the year 2002
For the week ending January 1, 2006
Welcome to the Year in Review issue, summarizing the "state of the world" and reviewing our coverage in 2005.
For the week ending December 25, 2005
Despite security concerns - or perhaps because of high levels of preparedness - the start of the yearend holiday season has been relatively peaceful. One significant incident was the assassination of pro-Tamil Tiger politician Joseph Pararajasingham (aged 71) as he and his family attended midnight mass in Sri Lanka. This is one of the stories from the past week around the world that are summarized in News Highlights. This week's Feature Article looks at "2005: Year of Disasters".
For the week ending December 18, 2005
From Afghanistan opening a justice and reconciliation program to Morocco delivering its own commissions final report; from pandemic influenza to preventing proliferation of biological weapons; and from elections in Bolivia to those in Tanzania, the News Highlights cover key events from last week around the globe. The annual Year in Review Newsletter will come out on 1 January, but ahead of that this week's Feature Article goes into depth on trends in Cybersecurity over the past year, followed by "A Year of Disasters" next week.
For the week ending December 11, 2005
The same week IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei received his Nobel Peace Prize, details of new evidence obtained under Britain's Freedom of Information Act revealed that the Macmillan government provided heavy water needed for Israel's nuclear program, an assertion they had previously denied. This is explained in this week's Feature Article, "Israel's Bomb, and Nuclear Nonproliferation". News Highlights cover events from the past week around the globe, ranging from the suicide bomber on a bicycle in Bangladesh to Zimbabwe's inflation rate exceeding 500 percent.
For the week ending December 4, 2005
From the continued failure of the international community to agree on a definition of terrorism to the deadly series of suicide bombings in Bangladesh designed to destroy the judicial systems, News Highlights review key developments from last week around the globe. World AIDS Day was marked on 1 December. Our annual coverage of the security impact of this pandemic continues in this week's Feature Article.
For the week ending November 27, 2005
On June 23, 1985, a Boeing 727 flying from Montreal to Bombay, via London, disintegrated in mid-air, killing all 329 people on board. On March 16, 2005, a Canadian judge found that the case against two men accused of involvement in this disaster had not been proven. And on November 23, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan announced that she had reviewed the Honourable Bob Rae's report "Lessons to be Learned" and has accepted his recommendation for a public inquiry into remaining questions. That is the topic of this week's Feature Article. In addition, News Highlights reviews events from the past week all around the globe.
For the week ending November 20, 2005
One aviation security area that has received short shrift is "Air Cargo Security", the topic of this week's Feature Article. News Highlights review series of suicide attacks in Iraq and South Asia last week as well as a range of other topics around the world, from sanctions violations in Ivory Coast to farmers in China.
For the week ending November 13, 2005
News Highlights review key events from around the globe in the past week, from police raids in Australia to three coordinated bombings in hotels in Amman, Jordan. The Feature Article provides background to this attack in "Terrorism in Jordan".
For the week ending November 6, 2005
Terrorist plots conceived by religious extremists have a long history, but one of the best known is one that failed: Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament and destroy the entire English elite. This year, 5 November marks the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot - the topic of this week's Feature Article. News Highlights cover more recent events from the past week, ranging from an international survey on fear of terrorism, to risks posed by ships flying under flags of convenience.
For the week ending October 30, 2005
From the aftermath of the Mehlis report into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri to the coordinated bombings in Delhi, India, News Highlights summarize key events from the past week around the globe. "Counterterrorism Legislation: Case Studies" takes advantage of a paper issued by the British Foreign Office, comparing counterterrorism legislation in ten countries and uses the case studies included in this week's Feature Article to illustrate critical issues.
For the week ending October 23, 2005
On 14 February Beirut's elegant waterfront turned into a blazing inferno when a massive explosion tore open a 15-foot crater, blowing up former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri's motorcade. After that attack, we wrote about the various suspects in the case. Now, nearly eight months later, an international investigation has revealed many of the details. This is summarized in this week's Feature Article, "Who Killed Hariri, Part II: The Mehlis Report". In addition to events in Lebanon, News Highlights reviews continuing militant attacks in earthquake-hit Kashmir, Ninja rebels in Congo Brazzaville, Iraq as a "black hole" for European militants, and other events from the past week around the globe.
For the week ending October 16, 2005
From the South Asian earthquake to the Central American landslides, the past week was full of disasters. On 12 October, the International Day for Disaster Reduction was marked. In support of this effort, this week's Feature Article focuses on "Disaster Reduction". The earthquake has not yet slowed down militant attacks in the Himalayas. The most recent incidents there and other events from last week around the world are summarized in the News Highlights.
For the week ending October 9, 2005
The 20,000 killed in this weekend's earthquake have dwarfed the 122 deaths in Pakistan caused by terrorist attacks so far this year. Disasters such as this often lead to significant changes. Already, India and Pakistan are cooperating in emergency recovery efforts. Other events from the past week are summarized in News Highlights. In conjunction with a possible threat against the New York City rail system, the topic of this week's Feature Article is "Rail Security".
For the week ending October 2, 2005
Today's suicide bombings in Bali, Indonesia are among the events summarized in this week's News Highlights. The Feature Article looks at "Insurgents in Iraq", describing the various groups involved in the growing number of attacks.
For the week ending September 25, 2005
Mixed messages from Iran and North Korea, fresh violence in Gaza, and research reports covering everything from foreign fighters in Iraq to land reform in Namibia are just a few of the News Highlights. "Afghanistan and its Elections" is the topic of this week's Feature Article.
For the week ending September 18, 2005
International efforts dominate the News Highlights this week, including Middle East coverage of the speech given by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the UN General Assembly, detailing their nuclear strategy, while US moves towards nuclear preemption are summarized in WMD, below. This week's Feature Article, "Counterterrorism at the 2005 World Summit" provides highlights from the Security Council presentations and the full text of the new anti-terrorism resolution.
For the week ending September 11, 2005
From the end of Israel's 38-year occupation of the Gaza Strip to shocking riots taking place in Northern Ireland, News Highlights summarizes key events from around the globe in the past week. Today, the 4th anniversary of the 2001 attacks against the United States, the Feature Article points to the "Voices of 9/11" as captured in radio logs and interviews with the emergency staff who responded to the disaster.
For the week ending September 4, 2005
News of disasters in Iraq, and the southern US dominated the news this week. Disasters often lead to unpredictable changes, which will be monitored as news emerges. News Highlights provides summaries of news around the globe from the past week, while the Feature Article discussed "Beslan: One Year After the Siege".
For the week ending August 28, 2005
Last week Brazilian officials met with Scotland Yard to address concerns over the shooting by British police of an innocent Brazilian citizen. This case has led to much debate over the "shoot to kill" policy and its alternatives. Following coverage on suicide bombings the last two weeks, this week's Feature Article reviews the options presented by "Less Lethal Weapons". Other News Highlights range from the economic impact of avian influenza to smuggled footage of Zimbabwe's Operation Murambatsvina.
For the week ending August 21, 2005
Elections that can make or break peace agreements are among the stories summarized in News Highlights, which also cover the latest news in terrorist financing, nuclear weapons and other matters around the globe. Last week "A Brief History of Suicide Attacks" is followed this week with a Feature Article on "Suicide Bombing Prevention and Mitigation Measures".
For the week ending August 14, 2005
A major Maoist rebel attack, the assassination of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, preparations for signing the Aceh peace agreement, and the New York Fire Department's release of oral histories and radio communications during the 9/11 attacks are just a few of the items covered in News Highlights. This week's Feature Article is "A Brief History of Suicide Attacks" and will be followed next week with an article on countermeasures.
For the week ending August 7, 2005
Sixty years ago the United States became the first and only country to use a nuclear weapon, with the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This week's Feature Article reviews "The Nuclear Century", while News Highlights provide updates to the nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran, as well as other key events from the past week around the globe.
For the week ending July 31, 2005
In last week's issue, the world was spinning around reaction to the second group of London bombings and the devastating attacks in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt. Thankfully this week's News Highlights don't include another spectacular attack, although significant events from around the globe are summarized. Instead, we have a spectacular movement towards peace. After 36 years of armed struggle, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has pledged an end to the armed campaign, in favor of peaceful political and democratic programs. For details, see this week's Feature Article, "The End of the IRA's Armed Campaign".
For the week ending July 24, 2005
This week terrorist attacks in Europe and the Middle East overwhelmed the news headlines, including four attacks in London that mimicked those of the week before, and three bombings in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt that killed at least 88 people and injured more than 200. "Terrorism in Egypt" is not new, and is the topic of this week's Feature Article. In News Highlights, we summarize these attacks as well as other key events from around the globe in the past week.
For the week ending July 17, 2005
This week the investigation into what are now known as the 7/7 attacks on London dominate News Highlights. The Feature Article, "The Downing Street al Qaeda Attack List", reminds us of other large attacks since 9/11.
Note that this issue has been released on July 15: additional news will be provided in next week's edition.
For the week ending July 10, 2005
This weeks attacks in London elicited an international response that reflects both concern over serious vulnerabilities presented by mass transit systems and admiration for a country and people who can commemorate, on the same day, both the most recent casualties and those who suffered during the Second World War. News Highlights this week includes brief reports about the bombings and the impact on transportation, as well as other reports from around the globe in the past week. While news stories continue to pour out from the UK, this week's Feature Article takes a step back to put events in context with the report "London Bombings: the modern history".
For the week ending July 3, 2005
The sounds of the ten concerts of the Live 8 campaign to make poverty history have faded, but left a lasting impression ahead of the G8 meetings later in the week. News Highlights from around the globe review this, as well as the key events from the past week around the globe. Following the British Commons vote last week, the Feature Article looks at "Identity Cards: Evaluations of the UK approach".
For the week ending June 26, 2005
Today, June 26, marks six months since the Indian Ocean tsunami. Only last week did the Sri Lankan government agree to share tsunami relief aid with the Tamil Tigers. This and other events from the past week around the globe are reviewed in News Highlights. In the Feature Article, a review of "Serious and Organized Crime in Northern Ireland" details sources of financing for the various paramilitary groups.
For the week ending June 19, 2005
From the theft of 40 million credit card accounts spending on weapons that tops $1 trillion, there are some big numbers in this week's issue. In addition to other details of cyberthreats, the News Highlights review key events from around the globe in the past week. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report that countries around the world spent $162 on weapons for each person alive is the topic of this week's Feature Article, "Breaking the Trillion-Dollar Mark".
For the week ending June 12, 2005
This week the News Highlights start with good news, as the G8 meeting has reached a landmark debt relief agreement that to help alleviate global poverty - and perhaps prevent a few failed states. The Feature Article looks at "Five Lost Opportunities and Sixteen Recommendations", discussing a US Federal Bureau of Investigation Inspector General report on the organization's intelligence about the 9/11 attacks.
For the week ending June 5, 2005
Global news highlights from America to Zimbabwe are reviewed in News Highlights, as well as recent reports on such issues as cyber security threats and new techniques to assess biological risks. This week's Feature Article"Trafficking in Persons" discusses its affects on human rights, public health, economics and security and also points to organized crime profits of some $9.5 billion and close connections with money laundering, drug trafficking, document forgery, human smuggling, and undermining the rule of law.
For the week ending May 29, 2005
The failure of the 5-year treaty review is summarized in this week's Feature Article, "Closing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference". News Highlights range from the plea for help from former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz to the latest bombings in Pakistan, with summaries of key events from around the globe in the past week.
For the week ending May 22, 2005
News Highlights cover key events from the past week around the globe, ranging from hometown security recommendations published by the International Association of Chiefs of Police to World Health Organization approval of further research into the smallpox virus. This week's Feature Article reviews "Ecoterrorism".
For the week ending May 15, 2005
News Highlights this week begin with news from the NPT review conference and creative famine financing and end with recent reports on biological and nuclear threats. Following an international symposium on the topic, "Agroterrorism" is the subject of this week's Feature Article.
For the week ending May 8, 2005
May 8 marks the 60th anniversary of the V-E Day, the defeat of Germany in the European front of World War II. The war with Japan continued until August, its end hastened by the use of atomic bombs against Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The devastation wrought by the atomic bomb, and the aftereffects that are still felt, helped generate the momentum to control the spread of these horrific weapons. This week's Feature Article, "Opening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference" describes the beginning of this month-long treaty review, and will be followed up at the end of the month with a review of what took place during the meeting. In the meantime, News Highlights brings you details of events around the globe from the past week.
For the week ending May 1, 2005
From post-election violence in Togo to the rash of car bombs in Iraq, News Highlights cover recent events from around the globe during the past week. The Feature Article, "US International Terrorism Reports" reviews the State Department's "Country Reports on Terrorism" and the National Counterterrorism Center's "Chronology of Significant International Terrorism" for 2004.
For the week ending April 24, 2005
North Korea's nuclear program, failed airport security efforts, and transnational crime prevention are just a few of the topics reviewed in this week's News Highlights. Marking the tenth anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, this week's Feature Article looks at "Terror Within: Domestic Extremism in the USA".
For the week ending April 17, 2005
From the 30th anniversary of the start of Lebanon's civil war to rebel disarmament in Burundi, News Highlights review events from the past week around the globe. The Feature Article looks at "Terrorism in the Maghreb and Sahel"
For the week ending April 10, 2005
From news of the relationship between forests and conflict to the latest analysis of how the World Trade Center towers collapsed, News Highlights bring you news from the past week around the globe. Last week the British parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee released "Foreign Policy Aspects of the War against Terrorism", which is summarized in this week's Feature Article.
For the week ending April 3, 2005
From mitigating terrorist risk in the Sahel to the draft Nuclear Terrorism Convention, News Highlights reviews key events from the past week around the globe. The Feature Article this week looks at Sikh extremism in the "Air India Flight 182" case.
For the week ending March 27, 2005
From realigning the UN to the latest bioterrorism reports, News Highlights reviews key events from the past week around the globe. In continuing coverage of the threat presented by conflicts over scarce water resources, this week's Feature Article, takes a look at World Water Day and the introduction of the international "Water for Life" decade.
For the week ending March 20, 2005
Last week marked several anniversaries: two years since the beginning of the war in Iraq, ten years since the sarin gas attack against the Tokyo subway and 17 years since the Halabja poison gas attack. In addition to these historic events, News Highlights reviews key stories from around the world in the past week. The Feature Article reviews key recommendations from last week's Madrid Summit.
For the week ending March 13, 2005
This week's News Highlights range from the anniversary of the 3/11 Madrid train bombings to the death of former Chechen President and rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov and a new report on the explosive remnants of war, while the Feature Article looks at "Human Rights Reports".
For the week ending March 6, 2005
From the status of North Korea's nuclear program to Interpol's first international bioterrorism conference, News Highlights review key events from the past week around the globe. In this week's Feature Article, we review "State Homeland Security" in the US.
For the week ending February 27, 2005
Last week there were an unusual number of legal cases opened or resolved. News Highlights presents the Yemeni appeals court decision in the USS Cole bombing case and more than a dozen other cases in the Law and Legal Issues section, while in Europe we review British efforts to modify terrorism legislation. This week's Feature Article asks "Who Killed Hariri?" in a review of the various theories on the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister.
For the week ending February 20, 2005
The assassination of prominent Lebanese leader Rafik Hariri; a "Valentines' Day Gift" of coordinated bombings in the southern Philippines as two weeks of fighting continue; new reports on timber trafficking; and the need for universities to consider anti-money laundering measures are among this week's News Highlights. The Feature Article excerpts testimony by the new Director of Central Intelligence, Porter J. Goss, before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on "Global Intelligence Challenges 2005".
For the week ending February 13, 2005
Under the US Freedom of Information Act, the National Security Archives was able to obtain the first Bush administration memorandum on al Qaeda, which is the topic of this week's Feature Article. In addition to "The Al Qaeda Memo", the Archives posted the 9/11 Commission report on failings of the Federal Aviation Administration. Details on this and other news from around the globe in the past week can be found in the News Highlights.
For the week ending February 6, 2005
This week's News Highlights range from the IRA ending disarmament to money laundering in Chile as well as other key events from the past week around the globe. The Feature Article, "Nepal's Maoist Rebels" provides background to the political crisis that emerged this week.
For the week ending January 30, 2005
While waiting for the results of the historic election taking place in Iraq, News Highlights summarize other important events around the globe in the past week, ranging from the one month anniversary of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami to commemorations surrounding the fortieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. This week's Feature Article reviews "Nuclear Proliferation in Pakistan".
For the week ending January 23, 2005
From attempted assassinations to successful cyber attacks, News Highlights summarizes events from the past week around the globe. The Feature Article this week looks at "Atlantic Storm", a role-playing exercise for a bioterrorism attack.
Atlantic Storm was a tabletop exercise simulating the attack of a pathogenic agent on transatlantic nations. Operating in real time with no other political or economic context, the exercise was held on January 14.
For the week ending January 16, 2005
From Mahmoud Abbas' election as the new Palestinian President to publication of Human Rights Watch annual report, News Highlights features key events from the past week around the world. In the Feature Article, we look at "Mapping the Global Future: the NIC 2020 Project Report".
For the week ending January 9, 2005
It will be some time before the full impact of the Indian Ocean tsunami is understood, but we do know that it has dramatically changed the geography of the region and left more than 150,000 confirmed dead, with thousands still missing, yet more injured, and millions displaced. Two of the worst hit areas - Indonesia's Aceh province and Sri Lanka - were already suffering the toll of long-running conflicts. Today's Feature Article examines this combination of conflict with disaster. News Highlights covers the Palestinian elections, the 'New Year massacre' in Colombia, and other key events from around the world.
For the week ending January 2, 2005
2004 was a year in which natural disasters overwhelmed those that were manmade. A year after the Ban earthquake turned the historic citadel into a pile of rubble and left more than 26,000 dead, the deadly Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami struck, in the greatest disaster of modern times. As of this writing, the official death toll exceeds 125,000, thousands are still missing, even more have been injured, and millions are left homeless and without basic necessities or a livelihood.