The Terrorism Trap: The Hidden Impact of America\u27s War on Terror

Nearly two decades after the declaration of the War on Terror, global terrorist attacks have increased. Beginning in 2005, the levels of domestic terrorism have drastically increased while international terrorism has not. This is a result of U.S. counterterrorism policy shifting towards “disaggregation” in which the U.S. government would focus on breaking up the global al Qaeda network into disconnected groups and rely on partner states’ militaries to target them. In particular, partner states’ focused their counterterrorism operations on the “ungoverned spaces” on their periphery, regions with a history of conflict with the central government and limited government presence in which it was feared al Qaeda and al Qaeda affiliated groups would use as safe havens. Domestic terrorism within partner states rose as a result of revenge attacks from the targeted communities and groups in the periphery in response to the offensive military actions of the state, especially when they resulted in civilian casualties. The increase in domestic terrorism led to further U.S. pressure to expand the counterterrorism operations in the periphery, exacerbating the underlying conditions that led to the outbreak of domestic terrorism. This led partner states to sink deeper into a terrorism trap. This study uses quantitative analysis of a global dataset and case studies of Pakistan, Yemen, Mali, and Egypt to demonstrate and test the terrorism trap theory

The Non-Native Royal Damsel (Neopomacentrus cyanomos) in the Southern Gulf of Mexico: An Invasion Risk?

A diminutive, non-native damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos) was recently discovered inhabiting coral reefs near Veracruz, Mexico—far removed from where it is native in the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific. The quantities found in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) suggest that the fish has already established a self-sustaining population in this new ecosystem. There is understandable concern, therefore, that this new arrival may become invasive and spread, yet the invasion risk imposed by this fish has not been assessed. In this study, a computer model was employed to deliver a forecast of the potential range of incursion of N. cyanomos in the GOM spanning 5 years. The model incorporated oceanic water flow in the region, tolerances of this damselfish to the ocean environment, and their reproductive strategy in order to supply a temporal and spatial forecast of their spread. From this study, targeted early detection and removal of the fish can be directed if the fish is deemed a threat to native fauna. On the basis of this work, it is foreseeable that the reefs presently harboring N. cyanomos will likely see increased abundance of this damsel. Immediate attempts to eliminate the fish, therefore, should be focused in nearshore shallow waters spanning Veracruz to Frontera, Mexico. Further, water flows in the southern GOM are not widely conducive to long-distance transport of marine organisms with pelagic larvae, reducing the risk of this damsel permeating the greater GOM over 5 years. Aside from N. cyanomos, this study implicitly adds to mounting evidence supporting a biogeographic disconnect between the Veracruz reef complex and the greater GOM and the Caribbean

Investigating the Relationship Between Peripheral Microvascular and Cerebral Vascular Vasodilator Function in College-Aged Individuals

Peripheral vascular dysfunction is predictive of numerous conditions including hypertension, type II diabetes, and coronary heart disease. Likewise, impaired cerebral vascular function is linked to neurocognitive conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, cognitive dysfunction, and stroke. Previous research has reported no relationship between peripheral and extracranial macrovascular function within individuals. However, to our knowledge, no studies have examined the relationship between peripheral microvascular and cerebral vascular function within individuals. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that peripheral microvascular and cerebral vascular function would not be similar within young healthy individuals. METHODS: Data was collected in 59 participants (45 female; age: 22±5 yr; BMI: 24±4 kg·m-2). Peripheral macro- and microvascular function were assessed as brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and peak blood velocity during post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (Vmean Peak), respectively. Briefly, brachial artery diameter and blood velocity were continuously measured (Doppler ultrasound) throughout a 2 min baseline, 5 min suprasystolic forearm cuff occlusion, and 3 min recovery. Cerebral vascular function was assessed as the % increase in middle cerebral artery (MCA) vascular conductance (CVCi = MCA blood velocity/mean arterial pressure) during hypercapnia (Δ end-tidal CO2 = 11±2 mmHg) induced by breathing 6% CO2 (N=39) or rebreathing expired air (N=20). RESULTS: Peripheral macrovascular function assessed as FMD was 6.9±3.9%, peripheral microvascular function assessed as Vmean Peak was 77±19 cm·s-1, and cerebral vascular function assessed as %CVCi during hypercapnia was 29±11%. There was no significant correlation between FMD and %CVCi (r=0.15, P=0.26) or Vmean Peak and %CVCi (r=-0.04, P=0.77). CONCLUSION: These preliminary data suggest that, in young, healthy individuals, there is not a significant relationship between peripheral macro- or microvascular function and cerebral vascular function. Future research should determine if relationships emerge with advancing age or conditions that are associated with overt vascular dysfunction

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