The war on al Qaeda in Yemen

Brian M Downing  A top al-Qaeda commander was reportedly killed on Wednesday by government forces in Yemen’s southern Shabwa province, coinciding with a top United States official suggesting that the US should launch air strikes there and Iran ramping up tensions with Saudi Arabia.  Yemen’s Saba news agency reported that Read More …

US national security, eight years after the 9/11 attacks

Brian M Downing  The September 11th attacks led to various responses in the American public, shock and outrage the most immediate.  Subsequent polling data showed another response.  Trust in government rose sharply and immediately – a curious phenomenon, for 9/11 could be readily seen as resulting from colossal government failures.  Read More …