PROFILE
FROM Andrew Grossman
The "Known Wolves" of International Terror "Media is more than half the battle." That's the motto of the State Department's Center for Strategic Counterterrorism . It's taken from a remark by an enemy leader, Al Qaeda's current commander, and it's demonstrated by the highly sophisticated recruiting videos produced by the so-called Islamic State. But it works both ways. Law enforcement at all levels is able to monitor social media — and to identify what are called "known wolves." By monitoring social media, investigators around the world have discovered hundreds of thousands of want-to-be terrorists. Does that mean atrocities can be prevented? Last week, two men were arrested with plans to board planes just because they wanted to join ISIS. How was it legal to intervene before they'd done anything wrong? Should the civil rights of suspects be suspended for the human rights of potential victims? Counter-terrorism officials call that the latest challenge with half the war now being fought on the battlefield of the media.
Thousands Homeless as Temperatures Plunge in New York Region Schools, buses and subways are beginning to function again, but tens of thousands in New York and New Jersey are homeless or still without power — with winter storms predicted in just two days. The ravages of Superstorm Sandy continue as officials struggle to provide basic necessities and Washington promises to pay for temporary housing. Andrew Grossman is based in New York for the Wall Street Journal .
Ten Years Later: The Death of Osama bin Laden At the White House today, President Obama bestowed Medals of Honor on two men who died in the Korean War. But he opened the ceremony with a comment about yesterday's killing of Osama bin Laden by US Special Forces. After 9/11, and as time went on, Americans became increasingly skeptical that the al Qaeda leader would ever be captured. But the world's most hunted man was discovered in a fortified compound a few miles from Pakistan's capital city, Islamabad. The Pentagon says DNA analysis made a 100% identification of bin Laden's remains, and reports that photographs provide compelling evidence. Meantime, his body was buried at sea according to Islamic tradition and practice. Did official Pakistan know that bin Laden was hiding in a highly fortified compound under its nose? How did the US manage to find and kill him with a small cost in what's called "collateral damage?" What's the reaction in the Muslim world? What's the reaction here in the US? We get answers from the White House, from Pakistan, Cairo and elsewhere.
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Interview with LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner A teacher strike is looking increasingly likely in Los Angeles, because mediation talks between the school district and the teachers' union have failed. KCRW's Saul Gonzalez sat down with Austin Beutner is the former investment banker selected to lead LA Unified, America's second largest public school system.
Measure B and municipal banking After the 2008 financial crisis, an activist movement rose up in opposition to the big Wall Street banks that caused the subprime mortgage collapse. They camped out in a park at the base of Wall Street, called themselves Occupy Wall street and eventually the movement spread to other cities. And here in LA there is a measure on the ballot for this Tuesday that has its roots in the Occupy LA movement.
What are Orange County Democrats saying to woo voters? Democrats are throwing everything they've got at four Orange County Congressional districts they're hoping to take away from Republicans in next week's midterm elections. But can a party focused on "resistance" to President Trump attract enough moderate Republicans to win in the conservative OC?
Midterm Elections and the Divider in Chief During a visit to Pittsburgh to honor the victims of an anti-Semitic attack, President Trump was met with protests. The president has ridiculed Democrats targeted with pipe bombs and deployed troops against Central American asylum seekers. By defying the tradition of ‘President as Unifier,’ can Trump help maintain Republican dominance in Washington?