Articles

Is al Qaeda outdoing the U.S. on truth telling? By Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst updated 2:55 PM EST, Mon December 23, 2013 Al Qaeda apologizes for deadly attack STORY HIGHLIGHTS An al Qaeda leader apologized for hospital attack; U.S. mum on drone that hit wedding party Peter Bergen says al Qaeda arguably is doing […]

Hyping the terror threat? By Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst updated 2:16 PM EST, Tue December 3, 2013 Feinstein: ‘Terror is up worldwide’ STORY HIGHLIGHTS Heads of intelligence committees tell CNN U.S. is no safer than in 2011 Peter Bergen: Evidence suggests that fewer plots are being directed against the U.S. There’s little sign of […]

Rapping for al Qaeda in Syria By Peter Bergen and Tim Maurer updated 9:52 AM EST, Mon November 18, 2013 A rebel fighter fires his weapon as he stands amidst rubble and debris during clashes with Syrian government forces in Deir Ezzor, Syria on November 11. More than 100,000 people have been killed, according to the United Nations, […]

Did Obama keep his drone promises? By Peter Bergen and Jennifer Rowland updated 8:25 AM EDT, Fri October 25, 2013 A U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator UAV assigned to the California Air National Guard’s 163rd Reconnaissance Wing flies near the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California, on January 7, 2012. STORY HIGHLIGHTS President Obama […]

Syrian war’s brutality isn’t going away By Peter Bergen and Jennifer Rowland updated 5:32 PM EDT, Fri October 11, 2013 An opposition fighter from the Al-Ikhlas brigade guards a post in Deir Ezzor, Syria, on Wednesday, October 9. More than 100,000 people reportedly have been killed in Syria since a popular uprising spiraled into a civil war in […]

Good thing U.S. terrorist hunters weren’t furloughed By Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst updated 7:30 AM EDT, Mon October 7, 2013 STORY HIGHLIGHTS Peter Bergen: After ‘Blackhawk Down’ disaster, U.S. stopped relying on special forces He says 9/11 led to renewed interest in using SEALs, other special forces Bergen: Weekend’s operations show Obama’s continued support […]

Al-Shabaab backed by money from U.S. By Peter Bergen and David Sterman updated 12:17 PM EDT, Sun September 29, 2013 Images released by the Kenyan Presidential Press Service on Thursday, September 26, show scenes of destruction in the parking deck outside the Westgate mall after the four-day siege by militants. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Bergen: Al-Shabaab bolstered not only by […]

Are mass murderers using Twitter as a tool? By Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst updated 3:58 PM EDT, Thu September 26, 2013 Kenyan mourners attend a prayer service held for Mbugua Mwangi, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s nephew, and his fiancee, Rosemary Wahito, at St. Andrews Church in Nairobi on September 26. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Peter Bergen: Kenya […]

Al-Shabaab’s American allies By Peter Bergen, CNN national security analyst, and David Sterman, Special to CNN updated 7:38 AM EDT, Tue September 24, 2013 A Kenyan soldier runs through a corridor on an upper floor at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, September 24, shortly before an explosion was heard. Sounds of heavy gunfire […]

How Al-Shabaab picks its targets By Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst updated 8:40 AM EDT, Sun September 22, 2013 Kenyan paramilitary police officers patrol the area near the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, where hostages are being held for the second day on Sunday, September 22. Gunmen burst into the mall and opened fire in […]