News Headlines

July 21, 2008 - 18:21

Global Security Brief

An open source, around the world tour of international security-related news.

By Professor Joseph B. Varner

Global War on Terror

A provincial official says an insurgent attack on a fuel truck has killed six civilians in eastern Afghanistan. The official, Abdul Wakil Atak, says the truck was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by insurgents in Laghman province on Sunday. Atak is a spokesman for the provincial governor.

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July 18, 2008 - 08:24

Global Security Brief

An open source, around the world tour of international security-related news.

By Professor Joseph B. Varner

Global War on Terror

U.S. and Afghan special forces killed two influential tribal leaders and a number of their followers in western Afghanistan in a joint airborne operation Wednesday night amid more accusations of causing civilian casualties, military officials said Thursday.

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July 15, 2008 - 08:48

Global Security Brief

An open source, around the world tour of international security-related news.

By Professor Joseph B. Varner

Global War on Terror

A deadly attack on a remote NATO outpost in the eastern province of Kunar is being viewed as a serious escalation in the fighting between the insurgents and the international forces stationed in Afghanistan, and a possible shift in the insurgents' tactical capability. The high casualties sustained by international forces in recent attacks have also increased the prospects that international troops could launch cross-border strikes into Pakistan with increasing frequency.

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July 14, 2008 - 08:10

Global Security Brief

An open source, around the world tour of international security-related news.

By Professor Joseph B. Varner

Global War on Terror

Nine U.S. soldiers were killed in heavy fighting Sunday at a military base in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border, according to a Western official. The attack was the deadliest against U.S. forces in the country since 2005.

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July 11, 2008 - 15:03

Global Security Brief

A daily, open source, around the world tour of international security-related news.

By Professor Joseph B. Varner

Global War on Terror

U.S. military officials may be voicing concern about Afghanistan, but Canada's former top officer in NATO says he has only seen a continually improving situation in the Asian country. In the past month, U.S. military reports and statements have indicated the war is worsening. A Pentagon report to Congress several weeks ago outlined how a revitalized insurgency is expected to maintain or increase its level of attacks. "The Taliban regrouped after its fall from power and have coalesced into a resilient insurgency," the report said.

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Olympic Games Just Weeks Away: Has China Mitigated the Terrorist Threat?

同一个世界同一个梦想 (One World, One Dream) Official Symbol and theme of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad

By Jenni Hesterman

In a rare show of transparency, China revealed today that it has detained 82 suspected terrorists since January that 'allegedly plotted sabotage against the Beijing Olympics,' the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing the police chief in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang region that borders Central Asia. As the August 8th opening ceremony approaches, the Chinese government has stepped up warning of a domestic terror threat emanating from the region, fueled by Muslim extremists.

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July 10, 2008 - 09:31

Global Security Brief

A daily, open source, around the world tour of international security-related news.

By Professor Joseph B. Varner

Global War on Terror

A U.S. commander says more than 400 Taliban insurgents have been killed since the spring deployment of U.S. Marines in southern Afghanistan. The Marines have also eliminated insurgent positions and strongholds, and are stabilizing the region, CNN reported, quoting Colonel Peter Petronzio, commander of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

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