Counterterrorism Law & Prosecuting Terrorists

U.S.-EU Cooperation Against Terrorism - CRS Report

A May 21, 2012 report from the Congressional Research Service entitled U.S.-EU Cooperation Against Terrorism is now available on this site and from Federation of American Scientists at this link.  The table of contents includes:

Background on European Union Efforts Against Terrorism

U.S.-EU Counterterrorism Cooperation: Progress to Date and Ongoing Challenges

Developing U.S.-EU Links
New Law Enforcement and Intelligence Cooperation Agreements
Tracking and Suppressing Terrorist Financing
Promoting Information-Sharing and Protecting Data Privacy

The U.S.-EU SWIFT Accord
Passenger Name Record (PNR) Data
U.S.-EU Framework Agreement on Data Protection

Strengthening Border Controls and Transport Security

Aviation and Air Cargo Security
Maritime Cargo Screening
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

Detainee Issues and Civil Liberties

U.S. Perspectives and Issues for Congress

Secret ‘Kill List’ Tests Obama’s Principles - NYTimes.com

The May 29th, 2012, New York Times has a lengthy report including a photograph and graphics on the current Administration's counterterrorism policy.  According to the Times:

Mr. Obama has placed himself at the helm of a top secret “nominations” process to designate terrorists for kill or capture, of which the capture part has become largely theoretical.

You can read the entire article at this link: Secret ‘Kill List’ Tests Obama’s Principles - NYTimes.com

Terrorism Bookshelf: Top 150 Books on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism | Perspectives on Terrorism

In May of 2012, the academic journal Perspectives on Terrorism released its list of "Top 150 Books on Terrorism and Counterterrorism".  Author Joshua Sinai states: “This listing of top 150 books is intended to provide an overview of many of the discipline’s pre-eminent books.”  The books are divided into 17 non-exclusive categories:

(i) encyclopedias and reference resources,

(ii) textbooks and general histories,

(iii) using the social, behavioral, and economic sciences to study terrorism,

(iv) journalistic case studies,

(v) case studies of terrorist groups,

(vi) root causes of terrorism,

(vii) radicalization and recruitment into terrorism,

(viii) funding terrorism,

(ix) suicide terrorism,

(x) international law and terrorism,

(xi) terrorism on the internet,

(xii) terrorism and WMD,

(xiii) counterterrorism,

(xiv) intelligence in counterterrorism,

and, under the general category of resolving terrorist rebellions,

(xv) de-radicalization and disengagement from terrorism,

(xvi) peace negotiations with terrorists, and

(xvii) how terrorist conflicts end

The list is well annotated and hyperlinked.  You can find it at this link.

Citation: Sinai, J. (2012). Terrorism Bookshelf: Top 150 Books on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism.Perspectives On Terrorism, 6(2). Retrieved from http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/sinai-terrorism-bookshelf .

Terrorism Bookshelf: Top 150 Books on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism | Sinai | Perspectives on Terrorism

The 9/11 trial: Justice delayed | The Economist

Of course, a very great deal has been reported about the May 5, 2012 arraignment of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four co-defendants on charges brought before a military commission.  We expect to look at this situation in detail during the fall 2012 term of Prosecuting Terrorists at Syracuse University College of Law.  For now, I wanted to share and save this link to The Economist’s coverage of the event, because The Economist plays a bit part in the proceedings:

The 13-hour arraignment was described as a circus by some observers. The defendants, not surprisingly, would not recognise the court. They refused to wear the headsets needed to hear the proceedings in Arabic. They insisted on praying. One made a paper aeroplane. …  Two reportedly leafed through a copy of The Economist. …  At one point, the judge wondered: “Why is this so hard?”

You can read the entire article at: The 9/11 trial: Justice delayed | The Economist .

CNN’s coverage 9/11 suspects ignore, disrupt Guantanamo arraignment can be found at this link.

CNN coverage of May 5, 2012 arraignment of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and 4 codefendants.

John Brennan’s Speech: The Tree that Fell in the Forest?

Passing along John Bellinger's post about the coverage of John Brennan's speech acknowledging the drone warfare campaign and offering legal arguments in support of it.

John Brennan’s Speech: The Tree that Fell in the Forest?.

Medunjanin "ready" to kill in New York plot: prosecutor - Chicago Tribune

On April 26, 2012 the Chicago Tribune reported that the trial of suspected terrorist Adis Medunjanin came to a close on Thursday.  According to the article, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Loonam argued in his closing argument that Medunjanin was "ready and willing to sacrifice himself to kill."  Medunjanin is facing a life sentence on nine counts of terrorism related charges.  During his closing argument, Medunjanin's attorney, Robert Gottlieb, argued that his client's only intent was to protect Muslisms. The jury is expected to deliberate on Monday.

Continue reading "Bosnian-born U.S. citizen "ready" to kill in New York plot: prosecutor"

White House threatens veto of CISPA cybersecurity bill - MSNBC

On April 25, 2012 msnbc.com reported that the White House threatened to veto the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), a House cybersecurity bill.  According to the article, the Obama Administration believes that the bill, "[d]esigned to defend critical U.S. industries and corporate networks from electronic attacks by foreign governments, cybercriminals and terrorist groups" is inadequate in defending civil liberties.  The House is expected to vote on the bill on Friday.

Continue reading "White House threatens veto of CISPA cybersecurity bill" 

Click here for more information on H.R. 3523

No credible threat of attack on anniversary of bin Laden's death - CNN

On April 26, 2012 CNN's national security blog reported that a bulletin distributed by the FBI, Homeland Security, and Northern Command announced there is "no credible information" that terrorists will attempt an attack to "coincide with the upcoming one-year anniversary of the U.S. raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden."  While the intelligence bulletin did not find evidence of a set terrorist plan, it did note that Al Qaeda and its affiliates "remain intent on conducting attacks in the Homeland."  

Continue reading "No credible threat of attack on anniversary of bin Laden's death" 

Women found on both sides of terrorism fight - CNN

According to an April 20, 2012 article on CNN's national security blog, women are increasingly playing a more significant role on both sides of terrorism.  According to Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the State Department, "[n]o fewer than 50 suicide attacks have been carried out by women in the past seven years."  The article notes that women choose to become suicide bombers for a number of reasons, including the loss of a husband or brother or the adoption of an extremist ideology. 

Yet while female terrorists are on the rise, policy makers are adjusting to the notion that women can be effective in stopping the spread of terrorism.  Moving forward, the article notes that the Bureau of Intelligence and Research is seeking to find ways to incorporate gender into its new policies.  Such programs could include "training women in national security measures and building the capacity of women in civil society so their message can be better heard."

Continue reading "Women found on both sides of terrorism fight"

 

Intel influx leads to increased U.S. strikes in Yemen - CNN

On April 19, 2012, CNN's national security blog reported that officials attribute the increasing number of drone attacks in Yemen to "[i]mproved intelligence about the leadership of the al Qaeda movement in that country."  According to CNN sources, the U.S. maintains various modes of intelligence inside Yemen, including both manned fighter jets and UAVs.  Furthermore, while current procedures for Yemen require that the target have a "direct interest" in attacking the U.S., the CIA is currently seeking permission to conduct "signature" strikes [strikes which can be based on "suspicious behavior"] within the country.

Continue reading "Intel influx leads to increased U.S. strikes in Yemen"