FAS

Army Intelligence on the Twitter Threat

10.27.08 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

Could terrorists use Twitter, the instant messaging and micro-blogging service?  Presumably so, just as they could use credit cards and can openers.

The potential use of Twitter and other communications technologies by terrorists is considered in a new draft Army intelligence paper, based on a review of jihadist web sites and other public sources.

The Army paper on “al Qaida-Like Mobile Discussions & Potential Creative Uses” was dissected by Noah Shachtman in “Spy Fears: Twitter Terrorists, Cell Phone Jihadists,” Danger Room, October 24.  A copy of the paper itself, which is more like a student exercise than a finished intelligence assessment, is available here (large pdf, for official use only).

publications
See all publications
Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
Antitrust in the AI Era: Strengthening Enforcement Against Emerging Anticompetitive Behavior

Given the rapid pace of AI advancement, a proactive effort triumphs over a reactive one. To protect consumers, workers, and the economy more broadly, it is imperative that the FTC and DOJ adapt their enforcement strategies to meet the complexities of the AI era.

01.10.25 | 8 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
Clearing the Path for New Uses for Generic Drugs

To encourage greater adoption of generic drugs in clinical practice the FDA should implement a dedicated regulatory pathway for non-manufacturers to seek approval of new indications for repurposed generic drugs.

01.09.25 | 16 min read
read more
Environment
day one project
Policy Memo
Using Pull Finance for Market-driven Infrastructure and Asset Resilience

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, which caused over $200 billion in global economic losses in 2023, is disrupting global supply chains and exacerbating migration pressures, particularly for the U.S. Investing in climate resilience abroad offers a significant opportunity for U.S. businesses in technology, engineering, and infrastructure, while also supporting job creation at home.

01.09.25 | 10 min read
read more
Education & Workforce
Blog
Alaska Statewide Mentor Project is Reaching Rural Teachers

Early-career and out-of-state teachers tend to be most heavily concentrated in Alaska’s rural schools, where they face a steep curve in adjusting to a new way of life while learning the ropes of teaching.

01.08.25 | 3 min read
read more