Videos

Future of U.S.-Pakistan Relationship

Stephen Tankel talked about former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mike Mullen’s testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in which he said that Pakistan had chosen to use “violent extremism” to maintain leverage over Afghanistan’s future. Professor Tankel discussed the validity of the statement and Pakistan’s reaction, and the work of the Pakistan army and its intelligence agency in anti-terrorist activity, and responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.

Stephen Tankel on U.S.-Pakistan Relations

Stephen Tankel spoke about relations be tween the U.S. and Pakistan, and Pakistan’s decision to reopen its border crossings to U.S. and NATO military transit into Afghanistan. Pakistan’s decision followed an apology by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for an airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in a November, 2011 U.S. airstrike. He also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.

Jihadist Violence: The Indian Threat

The Indian Mujahideen (IM) is a loosely organized indigenous Islamist militant network. According to South Asia security specialist Stephen Tankel, the IM represents part of a larger universe of Islamist extremist entities operating inside India, many of them connected to external organizations such as the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. This event marks the release of a new Wilson Center publication, written by Tankel, on the IM--an organization that arguably constitutes India's chief indigenous jihadist threat.

Domestic Barriers to Dismantling the Militant Infrastructure in Pakistan

While the Pakistani state pledges lack of capacity to deal with the various facets of the militant challenge, the world is unconvinced of the 'will' of the Pakistani leadership to fight with determination. Despite constant debate on the issue, there have been few attempts to holistically examine the factors that impede Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts. Stephen Tankel's report, Domestic Barriers to Dismantling the Militant Infrastructure in Pakistan, published by the USIP Pakistan program, seeks to address this void by holistically examining the constraints and policy choices that dictate Pakistan's outlook towards Islamist militants operating from on its soil.

National Security Briefings for Presidential Nominees

Stephen Tankel, assistant professor in the School of International Service, spoke to WTTG Fox 5 about the national security briefing that presidential candidates receive. Tankel said, “This is a one-time briefing provided by career intelligence officers on a broad array of topics.” Tankel also appeared on WTTG Fox 5 earlier in the week.

U.S. Terrorism Threats From Pakistan

Stephen Tankel testified about national security threats posed by terrorist groups and the impact the killing of Osama bin Laden might have on U.S. and Pakistan relations. Among the issues addressed were possible retaliation by Pakistani-based terrorist groups and recent terrorist plots against the United States planned in Pakistan, including the Times Square attack by Faisal Shahzad and the New York City subway plot by Najibullah Zazi.

Foreign Fighters in Syria a Potential Security Problem in Other Countries

The Assad government in Syria is facing tough opposition from rebels who have been joined by militants from other countries. These foreign fighters provide firepower to the rebels but experts say they may fight in other countries after the civil war in Syria is over. VOA’s Kokab Farshori reports on what this means for international efforts to control terrorist groups

Growth of ISIS

Stephen Tankel talk to Fox 5 about the rise of ISIS.

A Perfect Terrorist

Stephen Tankel spoke to FRONTLINE and ProPublica reporter Sebastian Rotella as they investigated the mysterious circumstances behind Headley’s rise from heroin dealer and U.S. government informant to master plotter of the 2008 attack on Mumbai.

American Terrorist

FRONTLINE investigates American-born terrorist David Coleman Headley, who helped plan the deadly 2008 siege on Mumbai. In collaboration with ProPublica, the film — an updated and expanded version of A Perfect Terrorist — reveals how secret electronic surveillance missed catching the Mumbai plotters, and how Headley planned another Charlie Hebdo-like assault against a Danish newspaper.

U.S.-India Homeland Security Cooperation

India's recent development has underscored its role as a crucial regional power and an important economic and political actor. Yet the nation faces a variety of threats to its internal stability that hold the potential to hinder continued progress. As engagement between the United States and India has increased in recent years, both nations have begun to explore homeland security cooperation as an opportunity to help meet their shared security challenges. In a new report titled "U.S.-India Homeland Security Cooperation: Building a Lasting Partnership via Transportation Sector Security," CSIS examines how this partnership can be further solidified, particularly through cooperation on issues of transportation security.

A Way Forward For US and Pakistan

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Afghanistan and Pakistan at a time when the relations between US and Pakistan are under lot of strain and the Karzai governments has recently announced to abandon the reconciliation process. As the Obama administration presses ahead with troop withdrawal plans its military leaders want to see reduction in acts of violence by insurgents. Stephen Tankel, assistant professor at American University, believes any role of Pakistan in the Afghan reconciliation process is likely to be on Clinton's agenda.

Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan

Panelists talked about the terrorist organization Laskkar and its presence in Pakistan, focusing on its origins and its 2008 attack in Mumbai, India. Following their remarks they responded to questions from the audience.

Al-Qaeda in South Asia

Representatives from the media who cover stories in Pakistan and India talked about al-Qaeda connections in South Asia.

Audio

A Closer Look At Obama's Counterterrorism Strategy, Legacy

The president travels to Tampa today, the military's special operations headquarters. There he will meet with the troops and speak about his administration's counterterrorism efforts. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd asks American University professor Stephen Tankel, a counterterrorism expert, to assess the Obama legacy, and also what to expect from the Trump administration. Listen here.

U.S. Man With Ties To Islamists Led Two Lives

The bio of David Coleman Headley reads like a spy novel. The Chicago man who pleaded guilty this month to a role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks is the character who straddles two worlds, and leads a double life. Stephen Tankel spoke to Dina Temple-Raston about David Coleman and Lashkar-e-Taibi.