News & Opinion on Terrorism & Strategic Communication — September 30, 2007

FBI Faces Three-Tiered Terrorist Threat. “Six years later, the fight against terrorism has evolved in ways both subtle and dramatic. It is far from over. The terrorist threats we face have changed, but they have not diminished.” (FBI Director Robert Muller at CFR, 9/28).

Karzai Extends Olive Branch to Taliban. “President Hamid Karzai offered Saturday to meet personally with Taliban leader Mullah Omar for peace talks and give the militants a high position in a government ministry as a way to end the rising insurgency in Afghanistan.” (International Herald Tribune, 9/29)

Taliban Say No Thanks. “A spokesman for the militants said they will ‘never’ negotiate with Afghan authorities until foreign troops leave.” (AP via Yahoo, 9/30).

Uncle Sam, Terrorist. “Iranian MPs have voted to classify the US armed forces and the CIA as terrorist groups.” (BBC, 9/30).

Blogging Ahmadinejad in Tehran. “AMERICANS might be forgiven for thinking they have heard everything there is to say about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to Columbia University, but the story occupied Iranian bloggers at least as much as it dominated the American news cycle.” (NY Times, 9/30).

Peace is COM 100. “Karen Hughes says that if the United States wants to win the war on terrorism, it must continue to reach out globally with public diplomacy programs. …Hughes also says the United States has to respect other nations and listen to what they are saying about America.” (VOA News, 9/28).