November 2009 - Issue 427

In the wake of 11 September 2001 and the ensuing Western ‘war on terror’, extraordinary measures have been brought into play in the four corners of the world, in the name of fighting terrorism.

These have resulted in widespread human rights violations and the curtailment of civil liberties. But have they made us any safer?

Once democracies begin to accept torture and the various perversions of the judicial process, do they have any moral authority left to confront the despots who are using counterterrorism as an excuse for cleaning up their enemies?

This edition of the New Internationalist includes a powerful essay by security guru Bruce Schneier decrying the often pointless counterterrorism theatrics against movie plot threats indulged in by our elected leaders. Find out what he thinks will actually work against terrorism.