Jihad: from Somalia to Minnesota

Making News

Congress Picks Up Pace, Senate Panel Approves Healthcare Bill ()

Health reform proposals are moving in both houses of Congress but partisan differences could still prevent a bill from reaching the President's desk. Jeffrey Young covers health care issues for The Hill, which reports on the Congress.

Guests:

• Jeffrey Young: Healthcare Reporter, The Hill, @jeffreyyoung_hc

Links:

• Senate Health Committee passes the Affordable Health Choices Act
• America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (HR 3200)

Main Topic

Jihad: from Somalia to Minnesota ()

Some 20 American citizens, some with middle class aspirations, have joined a terrorist group in their native Somalia. Two have been shot dead, one a suicide bomber, and at least 15 others have disappeared. Two more have been indicted in federal court in Minnesota, charged with providing support for terrorists and conspiracy to “kill, kidnap, maim or injure” people in foreign countries. Federal authorities say they're just part of a major investigation which became public on Monday of this week. Will Somalia be a breeding ground for international terror? Is al Qaeda exploiting a failed state? Will other naturalized Americans be vulnerable to militant Islam?

Guests:

• James Walsh: Reporter, Minneapolis Star Tribune
• Jeffrey Gettleman: East Africa Bureau Chief, New York Times, @gettleman
• Peter Bergen: Senior Fellow, New America Foundation, @peterbergencnn
• Bruce Hoffman: Professor of Security Studies, Georgetown University

Links:

• Hoffman's 'Inside Terrorism'
• Bergen's 'The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda's Leader'
• Gettleman (2007 video) on challenges facing Somali government
• Gettleman's article on Somalia's battle with chaos
• Walsh (video) interview on Somalis indicted in terror plot
• Walsh's article on recruitment and training of alleged Somali-American terrorists

Reporter's Notebook

Episcopal Church Opens Door to Gay Bishops ()

America's Episcopalians are worried about the reaction of Anglicans worldwide, but they've extended their embrace of gay and lesbian relationships anyway. The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the Church of England, the world's third largest Christian denomination, 77 million strong.  Duke Helfand has been covering this week's Episcopal General Convention in Anaheim for the Los Angeles Times.

Guests:

• Duke Helfand: Reporter for the Los Angeles Times