French Muslim group calls for imams to obtain 'license to preach'
France's leading Muslim body on Tuesday called for religious leaders to fight back against radical teachings by requiring imams to obtain a permit to preach.
Special report on the Paris terror attacks
The latest information on the Paris terror attacks and the fight against the Islamic State.
Islamic State's Paris attackers as inept as they were skilled killers
By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times
A State Department chronology of the Nov. 13 Islamic State attacks in Paris shows the terrorists were as inept as they were skilled killers. Published November 24, 2015
Recent Stories
The Real War II: Defining success
I argued in my column earlier this week that we are engaged in a real war that will almost certainly be a long war as well. The war is worldwide and its center of gravity is the internet and other forms of communication. "A third world war" is how King Abdullah of Jordan described it.
Hitchhikers and refugees
As a young man I frequently traveled via thumb. I would stand roadside, stick out my thumb and depend on the good will of total strangers to get me from point A to point B.
Paris: City of Lights becomes City of Fear
While this new Faith Under Fire column features people of faith being persecuted, this week our focus turns to the events in Paris, France, where this author traveled within a day of the horrific, tragic violence of the murder of 129 innocent people.
Bill de Blasio: NYC won't be intimidated by Islamic State video
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says his city will not be intimidated by a chilling new video released by the Islamic State terrorists group showing images of Times Square.
Abdelhamid Abaaoud, mastermind of Paris attacks, confirmed dead in police raid
Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the Belgian extremist suspected of masterminding the deadly attacks in Paris, died a day ago along with his female cousin in a police raid on a suburban apartment building, French officials said Thursday, adding it was still not clear exactly how he died.
French prime minister says extremists may strike with chemical, bio arms
With France still reeling from last week's deadly attacks in Paris, Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned Thursday that Islamic extremists might at some point use chemical or biological weapons, and urged lawmakers to extend a national state of emergency by three months.
Donald Trump: Dump 'mastermind' and call Paris attack architect 'scum'
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump demanded Wednesday the news media stop describing the suspected architect of the terrorist attacks in Paris as a "mastermind" and start calling him what he really is: "scum."
Russia hunting Islamic State gravy train
Although the White House and U.S. Air Force commanders in theater have started targeting the Islamic State gravy train of black market oil, apparently Russia is getting right to it.
Woman blows herself up during raid as police search for mastermind of Paris attacks
A woman wearing an explosive suicide vest blew herself up as French commandos raided an apartment in Saint-Denis as part of the hunt for Paris terror attacks suspects, including alleged mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud. Two are dead and seven were arrested.
Obama stands firm on Syrian refugee plan amid rising opposition
Administration officials and charities that aid refugees fought a feverish rearguard action Tuesday to defend President Obama's plans to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees to the U.S. this year, but with opposition building, Republicans and even a key Democrat said it may be time for the White House to hit "pause."
France, Russia join forces, strike Islamic State targets in Syria
France and Russia engaged in unprecedented joint strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria on Tuesday, the latest in a flurry of diplomatic and military fallout from the deadly terrorist strikes in Paris last week.
Rep. Blake Farenthold: Obama admin 'lying' to Americans on refugee vetting
Texas Republican Congressman Blake Farenthold on Tuesday said the Obama administration is lying to the American people about its "robust vetting procedures" for Syrian refugees entering the country.
The real war
Friday night's attack in Paris was another reminder that we are in a real war. It is vital that we understand what the real war is and who the real enemy is.
Three people arrested in Germany in connection to the Paris attacks
German police have arrested three people near the western city of Aachen in connection with the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris over the weekend.
Obama says U.S. should 'reach out' to Muslims after Paris attacks
President Obama said Tuesday it's important for Americans to "reach out" to Muslim communities to make them feel welcome and prevent the radicalization that leads to violence such as the terrorist attacks in Paris.
Ben Carson: We should encourage imams and clerics to condemn 'radical elements' of Islam
Retired neurosurgeon and 2016 Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says imams should be encouraged to condemn the more radical elements of the Muslim faith.
France calls on EU to invoke mutual-defense clause as it launches new airstrikes on ISIS
France on Tuesday demanded that the 28 nations of the European Union invoke the political bloc's national defense clause in wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, becoming the first country to do so, and it continued its airstrikes against militants in Syria.
John Kerry says cease-fire in Syria potentially weeks away
A cease-fire between Syria's government and opposition could be just weeks away from reality, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday as he visited Paris to show solidarity with France after last week's attacks.
Paris attacks, South China Sea draw focus at APEC talks
Asia-Pacific leaders are voicing outrage over the attacks in Paris as security and geopolitical concerns overshadow talks on trade and the economy at an annual regional summit being held under ultra-tight security in the Philippines.
A guide to talking with children about Paris attacks
After the deadly attacks in France, parents around the world are grappling with questions of how much to share with children and how to talk about the violence. In an interview with The Associated Press, Dr. Steven Berkowitz, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania, offered this advice:
Questions surround supposed Paris assault mastermind
The Belgian man of Moroccan descent fingered by French authorities as the mastermind of the Paris attacks is believed to be operating from Syria with the Islamic State, but U.S. officials say his ties to the terror group's leaders are unclear and that other jihadis, based in Europe, likely also played central roles in plotting the attacks.
Jeh Johnson, James Comey to brief House on Paris attacks intel at Paul Ryan's request
Two of the Obama administration's top homeland security officials will brief the House on Tuesday about what the U.S. knows about the Paris terrorist attacks.
Police renew call against encryption technology that can help hide terrorists
Law enforcement officials are renewing their long-standing calls, in the wake of deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, for limits on encryption technology that can prevent the government from spying on phone and email conversations.
Response to Islamic State splits presidential candidates on party lines
The contrast between the two major political parties after the Friday terrorist attacks in Paris couldn't be clearer, with nearly every Republican presidential candidate calling for the U.S. to lead a campaign to destroy the Islamic State, while Democrats want someone else to do it.
Facebook deploys 'Safety Check' during Paris attacks, plans for future 'human disasters'
Facebook rolled out its "Safety Check" feature amid Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris, France to users to access a service previously enabled exclusively following natural disasters -- criticism notwithstanding.
Democrat ends bid for Minnesota House after 'ISIS isn't necessarily evil' tweet
A Minnesota Democrat has ended his campaign for state representative following backlash over a tweet that appeared sympathetic to the Islamic State terror group.
Rob Lowe's Paris tweets spark Twitter backlash
Actor Rob Lowe faced backlash this weekend for a series of tweets he posted about the devastating terror attacks in Paris.
Obama says he's 'too busy' to debate GOP over terrorism
President Obama showed a flash of anger Monday with Republican critics of his anti-terrorism strategy, saying he is "too busy" to engage in a rhetorical debate with them.
Obama: Deploying U.S. ground troops vs. ISIS a 'mistake'; vows to enhance current strategy
President Obama said Monday the U.S.-led coalition will keep fighting the Islamic State with a beefed-up version of its current military strategy, and warned it would be a 'mistake' to deploy U.S. ground troops.
#OpISIS and #OpParis: Anonymous hacktivists to retaliate against ISIS after Paris attacks
The terrorist attacks in Paris have prompted hacktivists involved with Anonymous to promise their "biggest operation ever."
Donald Trump: More guns could have mitigated Paris attacks
Billionaire businessman and 2016 GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump said if people other than the terrorists had been armed in Paris last week during the deadly attacks, there might have been a different outcome.
Islamic State threatens attack on Washington in retaliation for 'crusader' airstrikes
The Islamic State terror group released a video on Monday threatening to attack Washington, D.C., and countries involved in the "crusader campaign."
Abdelhamid Abaaoud ID'd as mastermind of Paris attacks; Belgian is son of Moroccan immigrants
Once a happy-go-lucky student at one of Brussels' most prestigious high schools, Saint-Pierre d'Uccle, Abdelhamid Abaaoud morphed into Belgium's most notorious jihadi, a zealot so devoted to the cause of holy war that he recruited his 13-year-old brother to join him in Syria.
Lindsey Graham warns of 'another 9/11' without change in strategy against Islamic State
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Monday that another incident akin to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks could occurred if the strategy against the Islamic State terrorist group does not involve a ground force component.
Mitt Romney: 'Radical Islamists' do not share our values
Former Massachusetts Gov. and 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney said Monday that the fight against the Islamic State terrorist group is not just a military one, but an ideological one and that "radical Islamists" do not share America's values.
France launches anti-terror raids across country after Paris attacks
French police conducted a massive series of anti-terrorism raids in the early hours of Monday morning, just hours after the nation's air force pounded Islamic State targets in Syria.
Alabama governor, citing Paris attacks, says state will not accept Syrian refugees
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, citing the Paris terror attacks, said he will not accept Syrian refugees in his state.
Islamic State's sophistication in Paris terror attacks shakes West
The Paris terrorist attacks featured three separate teams backed by a support network stretching across several European nations -- bearing a level of operational sophistication and capability that Islamist terrorists have not shown in the West in the decade or so since al Qaeda's four-plane Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S. and the four-bomb London transport attacks of 2005.
Paris attacks were attacks on us all
I have no jokes. I have no cute stories or words of wisdom. All I can do is hope.
Obama still plans to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees despite Paris terrorist attacks
The White House says it won't let its plans to bring Syrian refugees to the U.S. be derailed by Friday's terrorist attack in Paris, with a top official insisting Sunday that American authorities know how to weed out potential problems within the refugee community.
Obama arrives late for 'moment of silence' for Paris attacks
President Obama walked in late Sunday on a moment of silence being held by world leaders in Turkey to honor the victims of Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris.
Obama, G-20 leaders vow stronger fight to eliminate Islamic State
President Obama and other world leaders meeting in Turkey vowed Sunday to intensify their efforts to "eliminate" the Islamic State in the wake of deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, but no strategies emerged immediately from the talks.
Details emerge on some of the victims of Paris attacks
A young French lawyer specializing in white collar crime. An engineer from Spain. An American college student studying design on a semester abroad. They were among the first victims to be identified after the gun-and-suicide bombing attacks that killed at least 129 people in Paris. Among the confirmed dead:
U.S. police step up presence at 'soft targets' after Paris attacks
Police stepped up their presence outside high-profile locations in cities across the United States in an abundance of caution following Friday's terror attacks in Paris, but experts say vigilance at soft targets like those rocked by violence in the French capital and intelligence gathering will be key in preventing copycat acts.
Two men linked to Paris attacks registered as refugees in Greece; 129 dead, 352 wounded
Two men linked to the deadly terrorist attacks that brought Paris to a standstill on Friday were registered as refugees in Greece earlier this year, Greek authorities confirmed Saturday.
Bobby Jindal demands more information on Syrian refugees placed in Louisiana
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal demanded Saturday that the Obama administration keep him informed on the Syrian refugees that are being placed in his home state, saying he is erring on the side of caution following the terrorist attacks in Paris.
White House believes Islamic State behind Paris attacks
President Obama's national security advisers told him Saturday they have no reason to dispute the French assessment that the Islamic State carried out the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris.
Paris attacks show high level of sophistication, was kept secret
The coordinated Paris attacks required a level of operational sophistication that Islamic extremist terrorists have not shown in Europe since the London suicide attacks in 2005 when four separate bombs, detonated in quick succession, targeted civilians on mass transit in the British capital.
Nohemi Gonzalez, Calif. student, killed in Paris attacks; 129 dead, 352 wounded
A California State University, Long Beach, student was killed in a string of terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, the school announced Saturday.
Politicize the Paris attacks
On Oct. 1, 2015, a gunman shot people at the Umpqua Community College in Oregon. The next day, Barack Obama announced he would politicize the event and push for gun control.
Foo Fighters, Natalie Portman, U2 cancel events in Paris
The Foo Fighters, Natalie Portman, U2 and other entertainers have canceled events in Paris following deadly terrorist attacks in the city.
Pentagon: Islamic State chief in Libya killed in U.S. airstrike during Paris attacks
A U.S. airstrike on Friday night has killed the leader of the Islamic State group operating in Libya, the Pentagon said Saturday.
French ambassador to hold vigil Saturday near White House
The French ambassador to the U.S. and members of the French community plan to gather Saturday evening at a park near the White House for a vigil in honor of those who were killed during Friday's attacks in Paris.
Attack on U.S. just a matter of time, security experts say
It is only a matter of time before a Paris-style coordinated terror attack comes to the streets of America, experts say, citing the fact the Islamic State is far more gruesomely efficient than even al Qaeda and is attracting hundreds of committed U.S. followers.
Belgian police arrest 3; Eiffel Tower goes dark as France mourns 129 dead
The Eiffel Tower stood dark in a symbol of mourning Saturday night as France struggled to absorb the deadliest violence on its soil since World War II: coordinated gun-and-suicide bombing attacks across Paris that left 129 people dead and 352 injured.
Mizzou protesters, Black Lives Matter complain Paris attacks stole their headlines
Activists that have taken over U.S. college campuses this week protesting racial injustice took to Twitter last night to complain that news coverage of the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris had stolen their spotlight.
For Democrats, Paris attacks put terrorism at forefront, may push climate change to backburner
Democrats increasingly have cited climate change as the top threat facing the world today -- even above the war against terrorism -- but Friday's deadly attacks in Paris surely will remind lawmakers and candidates of all stripes that the fight against radical Islamists is by no means over and represents a more immediate danger to people around the world.
Bill Maher on Paris attacks: 'Why do they hate us?'
Late-night HBO talk show host Bill Maher reacted to the deadly terrorist attack in Paris Friday night, opening up a panel discussion by asking, "Why do they hate us?"
Ted Cruz slams Obama, Hillary Clinton for making Islamic State 'stronger'
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz on Saturday said that the terrorist bloodbath in Paris underscored the failures of President Obama's anti-war stance and his timid foreign policy.
Recent Commentary Columns
Paris attacks, Black Lives Matter prove the cultural revolution is upon us
For the revolution is not only being televised, it's being Facebooked, YouTubed, Instagrammed and tweeted, too.
The West and Islam
As the full magnitude of Friday's Paris carnage became known, President Obama spoke to America people and the world about the horrific bloodshed in that great Western city. The president said this was not an attack simply on Paris or the French people.
Massacre in Paris
Just hours before the terrorist attacks in Paris last week, for which ISIS has claimed responsibility, "Good Morning America" broadcast an interview with President Obama. In it, the president told host George Stephanopoulos, "I don't think they're gaining strength.
ISIS and climate change? A rejoinder to Bernie Sanders
So, is there a connection between ecology and terrorism? Perhaps, but not in the way that Sen. Sanders explained.
Paris attacks should summon a Western invasion to crush ISIS
America should remain committed to Europe's security but only if Europeans bear their share of the cost.
A dance with the devil under the Paris moon
Sometimes life guides us in the strangest of ways. Just last week my production team and I arrived in London to begin filming a series of news pieces dealing with immigration in Europe and the threat of domestic terrorism on the continent.
Terrorist attacks, crime are greatest concerns
Contrary to the delusional, xenophobic hysteria of Donald Trump, the nation is not plagued by illegal immigrants.
Islamic State 'not contained' as Paris attacks show
Even as Islamic State terrorists carrying Syrian and Egyptian passports were moving into position last Friday morning to launch the most terrifying attack on Paris since World War II, President Obama went before the cameras on ABC's "Good Morning America" to assure George Stephanopoulos and his audience that we've "contained" ISIS.
