6 world powers meet about Iran nuclear issue
BRUSSELS – Representatives of six world powers on Friday were considering measures against Iran for its refusal to halt nuclear enrichment activities, as the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency warned Tehran not to miss the opportunity to resolve the dispute. Click here for relevant Heritage research

In Fort Hood aftermath, Pentagon opens two reviews
The Pentagon is launching an urgent review of whether military procedures hinder the identification of service members who pose a threat to their fellow troops. Click here for relevant Heritage research

Obama, Hu Highlight Cooperation
BEIJING—As he dives into the heart of his trip to China, President Barack Obama is finding it hard to bring his trademark charisma to bear. Click here for relevant Heritage research

This Week's News Updates: Cybersecurity, Public Diplomacy, Missile Defense

Issue In Depth

Transnational Terrorism: No time for Complacency

It’s no secret that America is still a target for terrorism. Since 9/11, 27 plots have been thwarted on American soil, and that’s not including terrorist plots being planned internationally. Although it is not conveyed as a daily threat, transnational terrorism continues and while Americans go about their daily routines, there are terrorists who are plotting the next attack. The effort, time and means need to continuously be committed to securing our safety, and no matter how protected we may feel, we cannot settle into complacency. This is an issue that should remain on the forefront for both citizens and all levels of government. Complacency leads to vulnerability, and America can’t afford to be weak in the eyes of terrorists. Please see our recent research in this week’s Issue In Depth.


Recent Research
The Heritage Foundation: TSA Nominee Erroll Southers's Stand on Collective Bargaining Needs Clarity: President Obama has nominated Erroll Southers to serve as Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which employs the airline security screeners charged with preventing terrorists from boarding American airplanes. As the head of the TSA, Southers would decide whether the organization collectively bargains over security procedures. Collective bargaining--currently forbidden for the TSA--would put American lives at risk by preventing the TSA from responding rapidly to new intelligence and by replacing merit promotions with seniority schedules.

The Heritage Foundation: The Pakistan-Britain Terror Connection: Lessons and Warnings for the United States: There is a terror connection between Pakistan and Great Britain. Many of the planned or successful Islamist attacks in Britain have been linked directly or indirectly to Pakistan. British authorities have acknowledged that the al-Qaeda network based in Pakistan poses the greatest terrorist threat to Britain. This threat includes both terrorist attacks and the financial and ideological networks that support and inspire attacks.

The Heritage Foundation: Another Terror Plot Foiled: 27 Since 9/11: An arrest on Wednesday of Boston resident Tarek Mehanna brings the latest number of known terrorist plots foiled since 9/11 to 27. Following closely on the heals of three terrorist-related arrests last month, Mehanna's arrest is a stark reminder of the danger still posed by terrorists seeking to kill Americans in the name of extremism.

The Heritage Foundation: Joe Biden's Fence-Mending Mission: Re-Open the Visa Waiver Program: The vice presidency oftentimes entails a number of not-so-fun official duties, and fence-mending is one of them. This week Vice President Joseph Biden will be on an official trip to three important European allies of the United States, each of which in some way needs reassurance from the U.S., having experienced an unfortunate cooling trend in bilateral relations. Biden should use the trip to put pressure on his colleagues in the Administration to open the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to America's Eastern European allies.

The Heritage Foundation: Patriot Act: A Chance to Commit to National Security: On September 22-23, the House and Senate Judiciary Committees held hearings to examine reauthorization of key provisions of the Patriot Act, which helps law enforcement fight terrorism through more flexible surveillance and investigation methods and easier information sharing. Key provisions of the act will expire on December 31 if Congress does not reauthorize them.

The Heritage Foundation: Freezing Telecom Immunity Would Chill Counterterrorism Efforts: On September 17, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), along with several other Senators, introduced the Judicious Use of Surveillance Tools in Counterterrorism Efforts Act of 2009, which would remove immunity for telecommunications providers that have given federal law enforcement access to their systems under the National Security Agency's electronic surveillance program.

The Heritage Foundation: 26 Foiled Terror Plots Show Success of Information Sharing: Last week, the FBI, along with its state and local counterparts, announced arrests in three terror plots targeting several American cities. These foiled plots now make 26 publicly known terror plots that have been disrupted by law enforcement since September 11, 2001.

The Heritage Foundation: Eight Years after 9/11: Analyzing Congress's Homeland Security Agenda: Having returned from its summer recess, Congress will soon construct its legislative agenda for the rest of the year. Given that this week marks the eighth anniversary of 9/11, Congress should honor the memory of that tragedy by solidifying its homeland security agenda. That means taking the right steps to keep the nation safe, free, and prosperous.

The Heritage Foundation: Terrorist Watch: 23 Plots Foiled Since 9/11: Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, 23 terrorist plots against the United States have been foiled. This report updates a November 2007 report from the Heritage Foundation that described 19 plots that had been foiled to date since 9/11. Less than two years later, the U.S. has foiled four more plots aimed at Americans. While some trials have ended in mistrial and charges against some suspects were dropped, significantly more individuals have been convicted and sentenced for their crimes.

The Heritage Foundation: Key Questions for Janet Napolitano, Nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security: The United States Senate will soon render its advice and consent to the nomination of Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) as the new secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In giving its advice and consent, Senators should explore Governor Napolitano's views on issues across the homeland security spectrum. Consequently, the Senate should consider these preliminary questions.