Incoming chairman of US Homeland Security Committee says NYT should be indicted under Espionage Act

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), the incoming chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, ripped into The New York Times Tuesday for telling him in a weekend editorial to tone down his rhetoric. “I’m absolutely delighted that The New York Times would attack me,” he said in an interview with The Hill. “I have nothing but contempt [...]

Detained American on no-fly list says he was beaten in Kuwait during interrogations

The NY Times reports that an American teenager detained in Kuwait two weeks ago and placed on an American no-fly list claims that he was severely beaten by his Kuwaiti captors during a weeklong interrogation about possible contacts with terrorism suspects in Yemen. The teenager, Gulet Mohamed, a Somali-American who turned 19 during his captivity, [...]

Brief in US v El Mazain Argues Material Support Conviction Should Require Knowledge of Terror Connection

On Oct. 26, 2010, a diverse group of U.S. organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit arguing that individuals may not be convicted under a statute barring “material support” to “designated terrorist groups” if they have not knowingly supported any designated terrorist group. Under the lower court’s ruling, [...]

Evaluation of Justice Department’s National Security Division

In 2006 the Justice Departement created a National Security Division, which demolished the wall between intelligence and law enforcement investigations. The Washington Post reports that after 4 years say “the division is performing as promised, melding counterintelligence and law enforcement, and helping to prevent attacks.” Intelligence lawyers and criminal prosecutors now work together when a [...]

Harvard Law School guide to media law in the internet age

Excellent overview on US media law, including on the right to know (Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)), libel and privacy and Safe Harbors.

CRS report on American Jihadist Terrorism

This report describes homegrown violent jihadists and the plots and attacks that have occurred since 9/11. “Homegrown” and “domestic” are terms that describe terrorist activity or plots perpetrated within the United States or abroad by American citizens, legal permanent residents, or visitors radicalized largely within the United States. The report also discusses the radicalization process [...]

Obama’s thoughts on nuclear terrorism, human rights promotion

Excerpts from the speech: As for our common security, America is waging a more effective fight against al Qaeda, while winding down the war in Iraq.  Since I took office, the United States has removed nearly 100,000 troops from Iraq.  We have done so responsibly, as Iraqis have transitioned to lead responsibility for the security [...]

Congress will scrutinize rules of engagement in Afghanistan

The House Armed Services Committee will soon examine the rules of engagement used by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The classified, full-committee briefing will cover tactical directives that limit  the use of force by NATO troops, according to a letter sent by Rep. Ike Skelton, D.-Mo. Skelton said in his Aug. 26 letter to the three [...]

US to test iris scan technology

The Homeland Security Department plans to test futuristic iris scan technology that stores digital images of people’s eyes in a database and is considered a quicker alternative to fingerprints. The department will run a two-week test in October of commercially sold iris scanners at a Border Patrol station in McAllen, Texas, where they will be [...]

The fight against terrorism in Yemen

The White House is allegedly considering adding the CIA’s armed Predator drones to the fight against al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen. The idea is to reassign some of the Predator drones already hunting high-value militant targets in Pakistan’s tribal regions to the U.S. special operations forces assisting local counterterrorist forces in Yemen. But U.S. officials may [...]