Decision on 9/11 Trials Sparks Praise, Anger

The U.S. government’s decision to bring five high-profile terror suspects to the United States to face trials in a civilian court has drawn reactions ranging from praise to condemnation to confusion. While human rights advocates are generally applauding the decision to conduct trials in federal court in New York, they are at the same time … Continue reading “Decision on 9/11 Trials Sparks Praise, Anger”

Shining a Light on the Roots of Terrorism

Media commentary on the upcoming 9/11 trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has raised concerns that state secrets may be divulged, including details about how the Bush administration used torture to extract evidence about al-Qaeda. "I think that we’re going to shine a light on something that a lot of people don’t want to look at" … Continue reading “Shining a Light on the Roots of Terrorism”

The Trial of the Century and the Long Shadow of 9/11

A weird concatenation of events – the Ft. Hood shoot-up, the decision by the Obama administration to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other 9/11 plotters, and the seizure of a mosque and other properties said to be owned by a front for the Iranian government – has once again brought the question of domestic … Continue reading “The Trial of the Century and the Long Shadow of 9/11”

Obama Still Doesn’t Grasp Blowback

Although President Barack Obama has more empathy for the opinions of the Islamic world than his predecessor and seems to vaguely understand that they do affect U.S. security, he doesn’t seem to understand specifically that U.S. meddling in and occupation of Muslim countries inflames Islamic radicals and is the main cause of blowback anti-U.S. Islamist … Continue reading “Obama Still Doesn’t Grasp Blowback”

9/11 Trial At Guantánamo Delayed Again

On Monday, following a request from the Obama administration, Army Col. Stephen Henley, the military judge in the proposed trial by military commission of five men charged in connection with the 9/11 attacks – Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, Mustafa al-Hawsawi, and Walid bin Attash – agreed to the government’s … Continue reading “9/11 Trial At Guantánamo Delayed Again”

Lessons of 9/11 Still Unlearned

A week ago marked the 8-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States. As we should on each and every Sept. 11, we remembered all those who lost their lives on that fateful day, as well as those who responded to the tragedy. At Arlington National Cemetery, President Obama remarked: "We remember … Continue reading “Lessons of 9/11 Still Unlearned”

The Ghost of 9/11

The idea that the U.S. must fight in Afghanistan is buttressed by an all-too-familiar theme, whether it be uttered on the Left (Obama) or the neocon Right (Bill Kristol): the former says we must fight to prevent al-Qaeda from reestablishing "safe havens" so they can’t plot another 9/11, while the latter echoes this nonsense in … Continue reading “The Ghost of 9/11”