RAND Corporation
Independent security and terrorism expert, and Senior Advisor to the president of RAND, a policy research institution, and an expert on terrorism; author of Unconquerable Nation: Knowing Our Enemy, Strengthening Ourselves, Will Terrorists Go Nuclear? and Al Qaeda in Its Third Decade: Irreversible Decline or Imminent Victory?; former member of White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security (1996)
Rethinking local counter-terrorism strategies This weekend’s terrorist attack in London left seven people dead and almost 50 injured. London police fatally shot the attackers, and ISIS claimed responsibility. We discuss how American law enforcement agencies are preparing for potential attacks here. And how global counter-terrorism efforts are changing as the threat evolves.
LAUSD Threat This morning, LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines announced that due to a “credible threat,” all of the 900 plus schools in the LAUSD would be closed. The specifics of the threat are still a bit unclear. Cortines said early this morning that the threat was electronic in nature, and may involve backpacks. But Police Chief Charlie Beck said the threat was traced to an IP address in Germany, though the source may be closer to home. It mentioned assault rifles, pistols and explosive devices. The FBI and the LAPD are investigating. How unusual is a closing like this, and what are teachers and students experiencing?
Can Power-Sharing Keep Iraq From Fracturing? In Baghdad, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is trying to hang on to power, while part of his country is under the firm control of the Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS. Despite hopes that it might get its act together, Maliki’s army has failed to re-take Takrit, the hometown of Saddam Hussein. Maliki wants US help against the Islamic State that’s taken over part of the country, but his repressive style has divided his own people. We’ll look at America’s limited options in a region where national boundaries are fading away and religious extremism is on the rise.
The Growth of Islamic Extremism in Africa Boko Haram and the kidnapping of the school girls in northeastern Nigeria is just the latest chapter in a growing saga of Islamic extremism and terrorist attacks across northern and central Africa. Just yesterday, three more people were killed and 60 wounded by two bombs detonated on buses packed with commuters in Nairobi, Kenya.
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 today'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.
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.
Explosion in Domestic Intelligence Gathering The Department of Homeland Security is spending tens of billions of dollars on domestic intelligence and is coordinating with state and local organizations. More than 70 so-called "fusion centers" have been established across the country.
Fighting Terror and Protecting Civil Liberties Some 4000 federal, state and local organizations are battling domestic terrorism, far more than the number of terrorists who've been identified. The FBI is amassing data on US citizens who've never committed a crime. Local agencies monitor anti-war groups and Tea Party meetings. The Department of Homeland Security is spending tens of billions of dollars, more money than it can keep track of, and local agencies and "fusion centers" are happy to snap it up. Is fear breeding over-reaction? Are Constitutional rights at risk? Will the US develop a coherent intelligence strategy or become a police state?
Aviation Security: Must TSA Touch My Junk to Keep Me Safe? New threats to air travel have produced new strategies and technologies against explosives in shoes and carry-on liquids--even in underwear. But some passengers resent the new body-scanners in 68 American airports, and the pat-down hand search is also provoking a backlash. It’s invasive; it’s embarrassing Does it violate the 4th Amendment? Will it really work? Has the Transportation Security Administration gone too far? Is the real key to security the intelligence gathered before anyone gets to the airport?
Aviation Security: Must TSA Touch My Junk to Keep Me Safe? New threats to air travel have produced new strategies and technologies against explosives in shoes and carry-on liquids--even in underwear. But some passengers resent the new body-scanners in 68 American airports, and the pat-down hand search is also provoking a backlash. It’s invasive; it’s embarrassing Does it violate the 4th Amendment? Will it really work? Has the Transportation Security Administration gone too far? Is the real key to security the intelligence gathered before anyone gets to the airport?
Lessons from Failed Car Bombing in New York Faisal Shahzad reportedly has admitted that he was the would-be bomber of Times Square on Saturday night. He was arrested on Monday night, interrogated and then read his Miranda rights. But he has waived his right to a speedy arraignment.
Lessons from Failed Car Bombing in the Heart of New York The Pakistani-American charged with Saturday's bombing attempt in Times Square has waived his right to a speedy arraignment. Faisal Shahzad was arrested on Monday night, interrogated and read his Miranda rights. Arrests have been made in Pakistan, where Shahzad told authorities he was trained, and one of those being held is said to belong to a militant group. The would-be bomber was on America's no-fly list by Monday afternoon, but still was able to board a plane Monday night. Procedures have since been tightened. Was good law enforcement responsible for his arrest? Should he have been identified sooner? Is the US prepared for the future?
Summit on Curbing Nuclear Threats Gets Underway After a dinner last night that was closed to reporters, President Obama opened his conference on nuclear terrorism today with 47 nations represented. The summit is focused on keeping nuclear materials out of the hands of terrorists. Can so-called "loose nukes" be secured in four years? We get a progress report.
A Look Back at the First Decade of the 21st Century Remember the Y2K computer meltdown ? It was predicted for the change of the millennium exactly ten years ago tonight. It never happened. Instead, the US has been rocked by a decade of unexpected calamities. Time magazine calls the last ten years " the decade from Hell ," based on a historic series of unexpected calamities from September 11, 2001 to the Great Recession. The image of the United States has been badly tarnished in the minds of people around the world, and in the opinion of many Americans themselves. But despite political scandals, natural disasters, military failures and the loss of millions of jobs, 80% say they're happy enough about their personal lives. Will they respond to President Obama's call of a year ago to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and start over again?
'Home-based Terrorism:' Politics and Reality Are American Muslims being radicalized? Is any substantial number likely to go overseas for training and then return to commit terrorist actions on American soil? That's a continuing fear of terrorist experts.
'Home-based Terrorism:' Politics and Reality A series of recent incidents led Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to warn that “home-based terrorism” is a threat the US “must confront.” American citizens -- including Muslims born in the US — are accused of planning some terrorist actions and actually being involved in others. How serious is the threat and how should it be confronted? Are American Muslims being radicalized? Is any substantial number likely to go overseas for training and then return to commit terrorist actions on American soil? Do Muslims have a special responsibility to combat it? What does it have to do with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Does the Obama Administration exaggerate to gain support for military action?
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.