PAST EVENT
Friday, December 16, 2011
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Washington, DC
Millions of American computers have been compromised and are remotely controlled for a variety of malicious purposes in botnets, enabling online crime and aggression. On December 16, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings will host a discussion examining how government agencies, private firms and citizens can work together to combat the cybersecurity risks associated with botnets. The discussion will highlight the importance of well-crafted public-private partnerships and careful governance in addressing cybersecurity risks. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
John Villasenor, September 23, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Using examples of recent issues caused by previously unknown flaws in the nation’s infrastructure, John Villasenor argues that approaches for securing the infrastructure need to be updated to reflect the complexity of financial, communications, and power generation and distribution systems. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, September 01, 2011, Slate
Daniel Byman outlines prospects for the future of al Qaeda under Ayman Zawahiri’s leadership. Byman details the challenges facing al Qaeda, including the divided jihadist community and the risk of irrelevance after events of the Arab Spring. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, September 01, 2011, Slate
Daniel Byman examines al Qaeda's setbacks and advances since September 11, 2001 in order to better understand both why the terrorist organization is so troubled and why it may remain a global threat in the future.
Read MoreRESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, July 22, 2011, Foreign Policy
The recent tragedy in Norway begs the question of why there haven't been more large-scale terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland. Daniel Byman outlines how a combination of U.S. actions and luck have kept America relatively safe in recent years, but cautions against complacency. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Washington, DC
With more than $1 billion in cross-border commerce taking place every day, the U.S. and Mexican economies are increasingly linked, with both nations committing to expediting lawful trade and travel—and reducing barriers to expanded commerce—while still maintaining security. On May 4, Brookings hosted a discussion with Janet Napolitano, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, and Fernando Gómez-Mont, Mexican Interior Secretary. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
José Tessada, April 15, 2010, The Brookings Institution
U.S. immigration reform, an issue clearly causing widespread frustration among state and local governments, has returned to the spotlight. José Tessada discusses visa programs for temporary workers and changes to the legal system, urging reform sooner rather than later. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, February 22, 2010, Fortune
Robotic technology is gaining importance both on the battlefield -- the U.S. military currently uses 19,000 unmanned systems in Afghanistan and Iraq -- and at home, as the latest robots are programmed to take on greater roles in fields such as security and manufacturing. P.W. Singer gives an eye-opening look at the historic revolution currently underway in robotic technology. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, December 15, 2009, The Wall Street Journal
In the years following the 9/11 attacks, the United States has remained relatively free of violent terrorist activity, particularly compared to the deadly attacks in Britain, Spain, Indonesia – not to mention Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. According to Daniel Byman, however, times are changing as America faces a growing terrorist threat from a new source – its own citizens. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Abraham F. Lowenthal, January 06, 2009, The Brookings Institution
As Barack Obama prepares to take office, Central America is falling off the radar among the many accumulated problems to address, domestic and international. Abraham Lowenthal examines four Central American countries and compares their changes and growth. He recommends modest investments in the region for the new Obama administration. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William A. Galston, Winter (January/February) 2009, The American Interest
William Galston examines what’s wrong with our current political institutions, given the current financial crisis and lack of coherent governance, and proposes how to create a better government. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Carlos Pascual, December 02, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Carlos Pascual writes that President-elect Obama’s choice of a national security team reflects seriousness, pragmatism and bipartisanship. Pascual believes the selections indicate Obama will take a twenty-first-century view toward national security: energy, power, economics, human rights, terrorism and poverty must be part of the agenda. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Benjamin, October 2008, The Brookings Institution
Terrorism is a real and urgent threat to the U.S. and its interests; a threat that could become far more dangerous if terrorists acquire nuclear or biological weapons. Daniel Benjamin explores the drawbacks of using military force in combating terrorism and elaborates on the need for a positive agenda for the Muslim world -- one that deepens U.S. engagement in Muslim nations as they seek to modernize. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Benjamin, October 22, 2008, Slate
Daniel Benjamin analyzes the trend for jihadists to act in the run-up to or months following an election. Benjamin argues that organizations like al-Qaeda want to leave their fingerprints on big historical events, because they want to be seen as a central player in determining the outcome. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bruce Riedel, July 2008, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
Bruce Riedel notes that Pakistan almost uniquely is both a major victim of terrorism and a major sponsor of terrorism. It has been the scene of horrific terrorist acts it has been one of the most prolific state sponsors of terror. Riedel believes there is no issue or country more critical to get right under the next U.S. president, which means developing a policy that will move Pakistan away from being a hotbed of terror. Read More