To the Point

War of Terror Becomes Struggle against Global Extremism

After September 11, President Bush said a "war on terror" would bring the nation together. Others in the Administration argued that "war" didn't fit the reality of the threat faced by America. Last week, at the National Press Club, the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he never liked the idea of calling it "war" because "the long term problem is more diplomatic, more economic, more political than it is military." Richard Myers and other administration officials are now referring to "the global struggle against violent extremism." Pundits, politicians and propagandists are debating whether the change in rhetoric also means a change in strategy. We hear more about the rhetoric and reality in the war on terror from experts in diplomacy, national security and crisis management. Making News: London Suffers Terrorism Scare London suffered a major scare today, when police closed roads near King's Cross subway station, where one of four deadly bombs went off nearly a month ago. Matthew Hoffman, Deputy Editorial Page Editor of London's Independent, recounts his experience. Reporter's Notebook: Slugger Rafael Palmeiro Suspended for Steroid Abuse At a hearing in March, Rafael Palmeiro told Congressmen he'd never used performance-enhancing drugs. Now, he's tested positive and Major League Baseball has suspended him for 10 games. That will cost him $160,000, his prestige and credibility. Though the Baltimore Oriole's slugger yesterday affirmed his support of the MLB anti-drug policy, Washington Post sports writer Mike Wise doubts Palmeiro's insistence that he took the substance by accident.