International Security

<p>In today’s globalized and fast-changing world, international security issues have morphed beyond political and military conflicts between nations. Cyber-sabotage, asymmetric warfare, terrorism, weapons trafficking, climate change, and depletion of natural resources are all threats that straddle borders and affect international security for all of us. This project puts the perspectives of a younger, global generation front and center. How are they meeting the challenge of these transnational threats?</p>

DiNapoli and Nadler

USA Freedom Act co-sponsor calls the bill a good step — but says more must be done

Rep. Jerry Nadler has been an outspoken critic of NSA surveillance. He was part of the effort to reform the Patriot Act that culminated in the USA Freedom Act, but says there's more work to do.

USA Freedom Act co-sponsor calls the bill a good step — but says more must be done
Syrian activist Karam Al Hamad at work. Hamad is currently waiting for permission to leave Turkey to travel to the US for a fellowship.

After a year of torture in Syrian jail, an activist finally makes it to the US

After a year of torture in Syrian jail, an activist finally makes it to the US
Isaac Herzog, at rear in the center, poses for a selfie with supporters of his center-left Zionist Union at their party headquarters in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2015.

As Netanyahu campaigns on Iran, Israelis prepare to vote on their rent

As Netanyahu campaigns on Iran, Israelis prepare to vote on their rent
Militant Islamist fighters from the self-named Islamic State take part in a military parade along the streets of northern Raqqa province.

How ISIS uses the tools of activism for its own violent goals

How ISIS uses the tools of activism for its own violent goals
SafeMode at SXSW

The World explores youth activism at SXSW

The World explores youth activism at SXSW
Protester at anti-Maidan rally this weekend in Moscow sports a pro-Putin t-shirt.

Demonstrators in Moscow seem to be living in a 'parallel universe'

The "Anti-Maidan" rally in Moscow marked one year since a pro-Western uprising in Kiev's Maidan Square toppled Ukraine's president. But the attendees have a far different view of everything that's happened since then, and they're not afraid to say it.

Demonstrators in Moscow seem to be living in a 'parallel universe'
An man holds a picture in support of Cherif and Said Kouachi during a demonstration against Charlie Hebdo in Kabul. The brothers stormed the French satirical magazine's Paris offices in January, killing 12 people.

Pakistan is an unexpected leader in rehabilitating former jihadis

Experts are realizing there's no way to capture or kill our way out of the problem of Westerners joining radical groups in places like Iraq or Syria. Luckily, there is an increasing number of programs aimed at bringing these mostly young men back into the fold.

Pakistan is an unexpected leader in rehabilitating former jihadis
Outside Paris' Le Comedy Club before the performace of comedians Younes and Bambi, aka Younes Depardieuis and Samuel Djian. Younes is Muslim. Samuel is Jewish.

A Muslim and a Jew walk into a comedy club in Paris — and hilarity ensues

After the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists were murdered for their irreverent drawings of the Prophet Mohammed, some in France have accused Muslims of lacking a sense of humor. As it turns out, many of France’s most successful comedians are Muslims.

A Muslim and a Jew walk into a comedy club in Paris — and hilarity ensues
Charlie Hebdo protests

After Charlie Hebdo, what next? Readers weigh in on the long-term effects of the attack

The shooting in Paris has created waves around the world. We asked our SafeMode community what repercussions Wednesday's attack has already had for free speech, international security, radicalization and activism.

After Charlie Hebdo, what next? Readers weigh in on the long-term effects of the attack
Mohamed was important in Libyan's revolution, helping to defeat and ultimately capture Muammar Gaddafi. His younger brother missed out on Libya's revolution — so he decided to make his own fame by going to Syria to fight in the violent revolution there.

2014 was the year youth protesters found their voice and hacking became an everyday fear

From the Sony hack to #BringBackOurGirls, here are the top international security, privacy, digital diplomacy online activism and cyber-warfare stories of 2014.

2014 was the year youth protesters found their voice and hacking became an everyday fear
Kemal Kerkuki, commanding officer of Peshmerga forces outside of Kirkuk, speaks with his troops.

The Kurdish Peshmerga helping the US take back territory from ISIS may be kicking out Arabs

While many in Iraq's north are happy that the Kurdish militias are taking territory back from ISIS, Iraq's Arabs in the north are also afraid about what it will mean for them. Some Kurdish Peshmerga fighters these days are declaring an end to cooperation with Arabs.

The Kurdish Peshmerga helping the US take back territory from ISIS may be kicking out Arabs
Screen grab showing Virtual Syria street being designed.

How to get right in the middle of the war in Syria — from thousands of miles away

Few journalists, let alone readers, can get into Syria to do reporting on one of the world's most important wars. But what if they could step foot into the towns and villages of a war zone from thousands of miles away? We may soon find out.

How to get right in the middle of the war in Syria — from thousands of miles away
The Leaker - Edward Snowden

I'm not Edward Snowden, I just play him on TV

Arnas Fedaravičius is a 23-year-old actor who plays "James Snow," a character on a Russian spy mini-series who seems suspiciously like former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. So what's it's like to be Snowden, right down to the glasses?

I'm not Edward Snowden, I just play him on TV
The digital activist

Meet one of Turkey's original digital protesters — and see how she's keeping up the fight for change

"Meryem" was a force on Twitter during the Gezi Park protests, tweeting news and information in Turkish and in English. She was covering the protests 22 hours a day — but that's a difficult pace to maintain when protest movements lose steam.

Meet one of Turkey's original digital protesters — and see how she's keeping up the fight for change
Supporters of Beji Caid Essebsi, the Nidaa Tounes party leader and presidential candidate, wave flags and shout slogans during a presidential electoral campaign rally in Tunis on November 15, 2014.

Tunisia looks set to move forward by electing a figure from its past

One of Tunisia's presidential candidates is getting an unexpected rock star treatment: 87-year-old Beji Caid Essebsi, a longtime politician who's built in the mold of Tunisia's first president and other old-guarders. But some youth believe he's the only candidate who's serious about their concerns.

Tunisia looks set to move forward by electing a figure from its past