Some quick recommendations.

First, Foreign Affairs have a provocative roundtable on the state of the threat from al-Qaeda five years after 9/11. Of deeper and richer analysis, and as a very valuable effort both at putting al-Qaeda in historical perspective, is Audrey Kurth Cronin's paper in the most recent issue of International Security, 'How Al-Qaida Ends'.

I have been reading the newly established blog by Financial Times chief Foreign affairs columnist Gideon Rachman. Rachman is a serious commentator in touch with current research and exactly the sort of informed voice that is, alas, conspicuously absent in a lot of Irish coverage of world affairs. I might add that more often than not I'm finding myself in disagreement with him, but usually learning something nonetheless.

As Monday is the fifth anniversary of 9/11 - astonishing in one sense to think it's been so long given how vividly the day remains to the memory - I link to a piece of mine slightly akwardly titled 'Death and Purpose in Iraq'. It's not my best piece on reflection, and it deals with Iraq rather than the War on Terror generally, but perhaps bears mentioning on the day we're in.

Incidentally, to my regret, pressure of commitments will limit postings to this blog to short posts like this and republications of the odd piece from my print journalism, at least until October. Readers disastisfied with the service are offered a full refund.

Update 1: Newseum has a valuable archive of September 12th front pages.

Update 2: And a photo-essay.