Accessibility links
National Security National Security

National Security

Thursday

Terrorists Struggle To Gain Recruits On The Web

The Twitter page for al-Shabab, the radical Islamic group in Somalia that has been branded a terrorist organization by the U.S. Such groups are active in social media, but have not attracted many recruits. Twitter.com hide caption

toggle caption
Twitter.com

Terrorists Struggle To Gain Recruits On The Web

Terror groups are using social media to find new followers. But analysts say if you look at the recruiting numbers, the strategy has failed. What's more, their frank exchanges on Facebook and Twitter have been a boon to law enforcement.

Terrorists Struggle To Gain Recruits On The Web

Listen · 4:06
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/144342062/144450480" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

The Impact of War

How Iraq, Afghanistan Have Changed The Military

U.S. forces have left Iraq and a drawdown in Afghanistan is underway, but both wars have left an indelible impact on the U.S. military. The armed forces have altered strategy and tactics, and countless lives have been changed — including those of the families of service members serving multiple deployments.

How Iraq, Afghanistan Have Changed The Military

Listen · 30:19
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/144286707/144200053" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Pentagon: U.S., Pakistan Share Blame In Shooting

Pentagon spokesman George Little, speaking Thursday, said U.S. and Pakistani forces both made mistakes that contributed to the Nov. 26 shooting that killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers along the border with Afghanistan. Luis M. Alvarez/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Luis M. Alvarez/AP

Asia

Pentagon: U.S., Pakistan Share Blame In Shooting

The Pentagon says that poor communication, faulty map information and a lack of trust all contributed to the Nov. 26 shooting that killed 24 Pakistani troops along the border with Afghanistan.

Pentagon: U.S., Pakistan Share Blame In Shooting

Listen · 4:01
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/144139173/144149734" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

Middle East

White House Faces Tough Choice On Iran Sanctions

Let Iran off the hook or undermine the global economy? Slap sanctions on an Iranian energy company or provide Europe with an alternative to Russian gas? Washington policymaking is especially difficult when the aims conflict, and few cases illustrate that principle more clearly than the challenge of finding a way to punish Iran without hurting someone else.

White House Faces Tough Choice On Iran Sanctions

Listen · 4:46
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/144033792/144056122" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

In North Korea, Lavish Praise For The Heir Apparent

Kim Jong Un (center) pays his respects to his father, former leader Kim Jong Il, who is lying in state at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang in this still picture taken from video footage aired by Korean Central TV of North Korea on Dec. 20. Reuters TV/Reuters /Landov hide caption

toggle caption
Reuters TV/Reuters /Landov

North Korea In Transition

In North Korea, Lavish Praise For The Heir Apparent

Kim Jong Un is playing a prominent role in his father's funeral and is already the object of fulsome praise from North Korea's official media.

In North Korea, Lavish Praise For The Heir Apparent

Listen · 5:14
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/144032177/144029777" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

How Will A New Leader Handle North Korea's Nukes?

South Korea's nuclear envoys visit a warehouse with unused nuclear fuel rods at North Korea's main nuclear plant in Yongbyon, North Korea, in 2009. Following the death of Kim Jong Il, it is not clear how a new leader, presumably Kim Jong Un, will deal with the nuclear program. Anonymous/South Korean Foreign Ministry/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Anonymous/South Korean Foreign Ministry/AP

North Korea In Transition

How Will A New Leader Handle North Korea's Nukes?

Reliable details about North Korea's nuclear weapons are hard to come by, but the country is believed to have between four and 10 nuclear bombs. The country's political transition adds to the uncertainty surrounding the nuclear program.

How Will A New Leader Handle North Korea's Nukes?

Listen · 3:44
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/143967944/143978128" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

The Impact of War

What Lessons Should Americans Draw From Iraq War?

The American public, military and the intelligence community were all affected by the Iraq war. Tom Ricks of the Center for a New American Security, retired Marine Col. Gary Anderson and Army veteran Andrew Exum discuss how Americans will remember the war, and what we should learn from it.

What Lessons Should Americans Draw From Iraq War?

Listen · 37:59
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/143964933/143964926" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Bradley Manning To Appear In Court In Leaks Case

CodePink activists hold signs last January in support of U.S. Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, the alleged leaker of documents to WikiLeaks. Manning will appear in court for the first time Friday. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Bradley Manning To Appear In Court In Leaks Case

Supporters say the Army private is a whistle-blower and a hero, but prosecutors will make the case that Manning is responsible for one of the biggest leaks in decades. During the proceedings, which begin Friday at Fort Meade, Md., both sides have an opportunity to make their case.

Bradley Manning To Appear In Court In Leaks Case

Listen · 3:45
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/143806182/143820352" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

As U.S. Departs, Iraq Faces An Uncertain Future

U.S. Army Lt. Adam Wilson from Ontario, Calif., shakes hands with Sheik Mahmood Al-Ghizzi, possibly for the last time, on Dec. 5 in Nasiriyah, Iraq. The two men met for a final lunch as the U.S. military prepares to leave Iraq after a nearly nine-year presence. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Leaving Iraq

As U.S. Departs, Iraq Faces An Uncertain Future

As the final U.S. troops prepare to leave, Iraq remains divided politically. Despite the country's oil wealth, its economy is weak. And U.S. officials are concerned about the role that Iran will try to play in Iraq.

Tuesday

The Technology Helping Repressive Regimes Spy

Software allows repressive governments to track and monitor the movements of dissidents. iStockphoto.com hide caption

toggle caption
iStockphoto.com

Technology

The Technology Helping Repressive Regimes Spy

Fresh Air

As protesters in the Middle East use social media to communicate, the regimes they're battling are using sophisticated technology to intercept their emails and text messages. Journalist Ben Elgin details how Western companies are providing software and equipment to help Middle Eastern governments crack down on dissidents.

The Technology Helping Repressive Regimes Spy

Listen · 31:06
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/143639670/143705598" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

Thursday

Officials Detail Plan To Fight Terrorism At Home

The Obama administration's new approach treats the threat as a public safety issue, like drugs or gangs. It aims to enlist local officials for help in spotting potentially violent extremists.

Officials Detail Plan To Fight Terrorism At Home

Listen · 4:42
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/143319965/143333770" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

U.S., Russia To Raise Differences On Missile Defense

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits a new military radar facility in Russia's western Kaliningrad region on Nov. 29. He said it showed Russia's readiness to respond to the U.S. missile defense system planned in Europe. Mikhail Klimentyev/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Mikhail Klimentyev/AP

World

U.S., Russia To Raise Differences On Missile Defense

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev has been attacking the U.S. for its missile defense plans in Europe. He even said Russia might reconsider the New START agreement, which limits strategic nuclear warhead deployments.

U.S., Russia To Raise Differences On Missile Defense

Listen · 4:08
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/143162623/143157257" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Look, Up In The Sky! It's A Drone, Looking At You

A Predator drone takes off on a U.S. Customs Border Protection mission from Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Ross D. Franklin/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Ross D. Franklin/AP

National

Look, Up In The Sky! It's A Drone, Looking At You

Unmanned aircraft — or drones — are playing a big role in U.S. military operations abroad but they're starting to show up above the U.S. as well. Drones are already being used to patrol the border with Mexico, and now they may soon be coming to your local police department.

Look, Up In The Sky! It's A Drone, Looking At You

Listen · 4:46
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/143144146/143157261" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

The Impact of War

Cutting Retiree Benefits A Sore Subject For Military

At the Pentagon, bean counters are working long hours trying to figure out how to cut close to a trillion dollars from the department of defense budget over the next ten years. Part of the defense budget usually protected from budget cuts is health care and retirement benefits, but some argue those benefits are depleting the Department of Defense of funds it needs to function as a top military force.

Cutting Retiree Benefits A Sore Subject For Military

Listen · 11:03
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/143115964/143116965" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript