Gary LaFree
University of Maryland
Director, START
University of Maryland
START Center, 3300 Symons Hall
College Park, MD 20742
301.405.6600
Research Interests
  • Understanding longitudinal and spatial patterns of crime and political violence.
Topics of Interest
  • Counterterrorism
  • De-radicalization & Disengagement
  • Domestic Preparedness
  • Ecotage
  • Ethnic Violence
  • Extremism in the US
  • Global Security
  • Hijacking
  • IEDs
  • Political Violence
  • Radicalization
  • Terrorism & Economics
  • Terrorism Databases & Resource Centers
  • Terrorism Trends
  • Terrorist Networks
Regions of Interest
  • Middle East
Education
  • Indiana University, A. B. 1973, Magna Cum Laude; Phi Beta Kappa; with special honors in History
  • Indiana University, M.A., 1975
  • Indiana University, Ph.D., 1979
Professional Experience
  • Director, National Center for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence, University of Maryland, January 2005-present.
  • Professor, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Faculty Affiliate, Department of Sociology, University of Maryland, January 2000-present.
  • Founding Member, Democracy Collaborative, University of Maryland, January 2001-December 2005.
  • Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology, University of New Mexico, January 2000.
  • Professor, Department of Sociology, University of New Mexico, May 1990-December 1999.
  • Director, Institute for Social Research, University of New Mexico, July 1996-June 1999.
  • Chair, Department of Sociology, University of New Mexico, August 1991-August 1996.
  • Associate Chair, Department of Sociology, University of New Mexico, January-August, 1991.
  • Director, New Mexico Criminal Justice Statistics Analysis Center, Institute for Criminal Justice Studies, June 1988-2001.
  • Director of Criminal Justice Program, Department of Sociology, University of New Mexico, 1984 1985.
  • Research Associate, Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1977 1978.
Major Recognitions and Honors
  • Elected as Fellow, American Society of Criminology, 2006.
  • Intelligence and Security Informatics Award for Best Research Paper, with Laura Dugan and Heather Fogg, San Diego CA, 2006.
  • President, American Society of Criminology, 2005-2006.
  • Member, National Consortium on Violence Research, 2000-2008.
  • Harry Frank Guggenheim Fellowship, “Characteristics and Determinants of Global Homicide Crime Waves,” 1999.
  • G. Paul Sylvestre Award for outstanding achievements in advancing criminal justice statistics, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1994.
  • Phillip Hoke National Awards for Excellence in Analysis, Justice Research Statistics Association, 1994, 1998.
  • Harry Frank Guggenheim Fellowship, "Race and Crime in Postwar America," 1992-93.
  • University of New Mexico Presidential Lectureship for excellence in teaching and research, 1984 86.
START Projects

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News
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Manager CB Adversaries
6/17/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Unconventional Weapons and Technologies Researcher
6/17/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Unconventional Weapons and Technologies Program Manager
6/7/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Manager/Researcher
6/7/2013
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Discussion Point: Counterterrorism Strategies and Democracy: Lessons for the US from the (Unfortunate) Example of Turkey
5/31/2013
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START provides statistical annex for Country Reports on Terrorism
5/30/2013
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Can verbal communication quell terrorist violence?
5/29/2013
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START increases access to security studies for underrepresented students
5/29/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: April 23 – May 26, 2013
5/27/2013
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New START study examines communities where terrorists lived, planned and prepared
5/23/2013
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Researcher Spotlight: Erik Dahl
5/21/2013
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Jeffrey Lewis discusses history and culture behind suicide bombings
5/21/2013
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START participates in 15th annual Maryland Day
5/21/2013
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START student named Boren Scholar
5/21/2013
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April e-Newsletter Available Now
4/30/2013
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Research Highlight: Al-Qa’ida-Related Terrorism - Violent Incidents and Foiled Plots
4/29/2013
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Discussion Point: From the Caucasus to Boston and Beyond
4/29/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: April 2013
4/29/2013
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Terrorism and the North Caucasus: An Overview
4/29/2013
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Discussion Point: Thinking Beyond Deterrence
4/29/2013
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START calls for TRA and URP candidates
4/29/2013
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Assessing the likelihood of Hate Crime in wake of Boston Attacks
4/29/2013
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Fully online summer course on terrorist finance open to all students
4/29/2013
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START intern launches career as Navy pilot
4/26/2013
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Secretary Janet Napolitano visits START
4/25/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Manager/Senior Researcher
4/22/2013
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Background Report: Ricin Letters Mailed to President and Senator
4/18/2013
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START Background Report: Boston Marathon Bombings
4/16/2013
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Americans more likely to think about terrorism than violent crime
4/11/2013
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Under Secretary Sonenshine speaks to University of Maryland about State Department’s public diplomacy successes
4/3/2013
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March e-Newsletter available now
3/31/2013
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Hegghammer explains variation in western jihadists
3/28/2013
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New report examines relationship between county characteristics and incidents of terrorism
3/27/2013
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Discussion Point: Prevention Research for Countering Violent Extremism
3/27/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: February 20 – March 19, 2013
3/27/2013
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GTD project shapes career goal for START intern
3/26/2013
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START website proves critical resource for scholars, government
3/26/2013
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Call for papers for a special issue of Terrorism and Political Violence on “Criminological approaches to the study of terrorism”
3/25/2013
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START researchers present work on transnational criminal organizations, terrorism and radiological/nuclear (RN) smuggling
3/25/2013
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START report identifies new ways to train risk communication skills
3/22/2013
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New Book: European and American Extreme Right Groups and the Internet
3/21/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Special Projects Researcher/Junior GIS Analyst
3/14/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Manager/Researcher
3/14/2013
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START internship creates career path
3/5/2013
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START’s training events help others understand terrorism
3/5/2013
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February e-Newsletter available now
2/28/2013
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START internship creates career path
2/28/2013
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START’s training events help others understand terrorism
2/28/2013
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START researcher explores how terrorism affects democracy, compares Turkey and US
2/27/2013
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DHS renews support for the Integrated U.S. Security Database (IUSSD)
2/26/2013
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START study abroad focuses on Australia’s counterterrorism strategies
2/26/2013
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Intern Spotlight: Rick Magill
2/26/2013
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START to expand social media presence
2/26/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Jan. 29-Feb 19, 2013
2/25/2013
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Database Spotlight: Update on Profiles of Perpetrators of Terrorism in the US
2/22/2013
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Discussion Point: Should START Researchers Embrace the Brain?
2/19/2013
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Student research recognized by Combating Terrorism Center
2/18/2013
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Trends in terrorism in the U.S.: New report analyzes terrorist attack data 1970-2011
1/31/2013
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January e-Newsletter available now
1/31/2013
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Education’s impact on attitudes about terrorism: Former START TRA takes on new policy-relevant study
1/31/2013
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Discussion Point: The Dog that Doesn't Bark
1/30/2013
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Spotlight on START Communications Interns: A closer look at the people behind the bylines
1/29/2013
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Mapping a career: Former START intern observed Hurricane Sandy from FEMA headquarters
1/29/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: January 1, 2013 – January 29, 2013
1/29/2013
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We’ve Moved! START HQ located at 8400 Baltimore Ave
1/29/2013
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Database Spotlight -- Public Warnings and Evacuations: A Study of the 2009 California Station Fire
1/29/2013
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START Research Brief: Al-Shabaab’s use of Twitter
1/28/2013
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Researcher Spotlight: Amy Pate
1/24/2013
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Terrorism Studies minor now accepting applications
1/21/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Nov. 22- Dec. 16, 2012
12/19/2012
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Discussion Point: Black Swans and Burstiness -- Countering Myths about Terrorism
12/19/2012
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New report: Social media use during disasters
12/19/2012
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Study shows hate crimes more likely to occur after terrorist attacks
12/19/2012
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Border Crossings and Terrorist Attacks in the US
12/19/2012
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December e-Newsletter available now
12/18/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Michele Gelfand
12/18/2012
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Intern Spotlight: Brittany Steele
12/17/2012
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Database Spotlight: Police Response to Terrorism - Lessons from the Israeli Police
12/17/2012
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START Headquarters is relocating
12/17/2012
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First-of-its-kind index ranks countries for impact of terrorism
12/6/2012
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Job Opportunity: Special Projects GIS Analyst
12/5/2012
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Discussion Point: Beyond al-Qa’ida
11/27/2012
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November e-Newsletter available now
11/27/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Dennis Mileti and the sociology of disaster
11/26/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: October 23-November 22, 2012
11/26/2012
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New FAS study assesses global economic impact of actions taken against Iran
11/26/2012
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Terrorists act locally
11/26/2012
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Job Opportunity: Graduate Assistant
11/23/2012
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How START’s Graduate Certificate Program won over two previous skeptics of online learning
11/21/2012
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Detecting deception
11/21/2012
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START intern tackles competition and challenges head-on
11/21/2012
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Research Roundtable details the patterns of terrorism worldwide
11/20/2012
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START researcher awarded top paper
11/20/2012
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State Department contracts START to provide terrorism data and analysis
11/16/2012
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START honors International GIS Day teaching about Mali conflict
11/16/2012
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START receives DHS Spirit of Excellence Award
11/14/2012
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Database Spotlight: Government Actions in a Terror Environment-Israel
10/31/2012
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Discussion Point: Terrorism Studies is not a Sub-Discipline
10/31/2012
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Video: Spotlight on START's Fall interns
10/31/2012
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Understanding conflict management in India
10/31/2012
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October 2012 e-newsletter available now
10/31/2012
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START director addresses common myths of terrorism
10/31/2012
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Earn Your Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Studies
10/31/2012
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New database provides insights into terrorism countermeasures
10/31/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Sept. 25- Oct. 22, 2012
10/26/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Nil Satana
10/26/2012
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Arabic opens doors for START intern
10/26/2012
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Global Terrorism Studies Minor recognized for rigorous coursework and opportunities
10/26/2012
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New data reveals al-Qaida-linked groups among most active terrorist groups in the world
10/16/2012
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New journal is a resource for Global Terrorism Research
10/15/2012
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September 2012 e-newsletter available now
10/1/2012
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John Cohen's keynote address at START Annual Meeting
9/28/2012
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Discussion Point: The End of Radicalization?
9/28/2012
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Research Brief: Law Enforcement Efforts to Counter Violent Extremism
9/28/2012
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Gary LaFree selected for World Economic Forum
9/28/2012
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Terrorism: A Self-Love Story
9/28/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Aug. 22 – Sept. 26, 2012
9/28/2012
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START director to lecture on contrasting nature of terrorism
9/28/2012
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START Annual Meeting focuses on maximizing relevance of research
9/28/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Monica Schoch-Spana
9/28/2012
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Database Spotlight: Minorities at Risk Organizational Behavior (MAROB)
9/26/2012
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Remittances and the financing of terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa
9/26/2012
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CBRN terrorism by non-state actors
9/25/2012
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Now Recruiting Spring 2013 Internships
9/24/2012
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New report assesses factors related to violent extremism among Somali-Americans in Minneapolis-St. Paul
9/13/2012
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Discussion Point: Introducing 'Political Resilience'
8/31/2012
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START launches new tool for counterterrorism community
8/31/2012
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August 2012 e-newsletter available now
8/31/2012
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Black Swans and Burstiness: Oct. 4 Lecture
8/30/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: July 18- Aug. 15, 2012
8/30/2012
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Database Spotlight: Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries (RANNSAD)
8/29/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Kelly Damphousse
8/29/2012
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START researchers awarded nearly $1 million to improve effectiveness of emergency alert text messaging
8/27/2012
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School principals can help assess community resilience
8/27/2012
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Policing Terrorism
8/24/2012
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Terrorism Studies Minor information sessions
8/24/2012
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Understanding Risk Communication Best Practices and Theory
8/9/2012
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Far-right Violence in the United States: 1990-2010
8/8/2012
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Temple Gunman Said Military Experience Drove Him To Hate
8/8/2012
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'Carrot' Works Better than 'Stick' Against Terror in Israel
8/6/2012
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Enacting best practices in risk communication
8/6/2012
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LaFree speaks at National Institute of Justice conference
7/30/2012
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Response to mischaracterization of the Hot Spots Report
7/25/2012
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Olympics and Terrorism
7/25/2012
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START research examines history of terrorism and the Olympic Games
7/25/2012
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July 2012 e-newsletter available now
7/25/2012
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Research Transition Manager
7/18/2012
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Education Coordinator
7/18/2012
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Senior Researcher (Faculty)
7/18/2012
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START offers winter study abroad in Australia
7/18/2012
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START interns prepare for capstone presentations
7/18/2012
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Research Roundtable event features START researcher Brandon Behlendorf
7/18/2012
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START welcomes researcher on nuclear secrecy and control
7/17/2012
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Student researches ties between terrorism and the Olympics
7/17/2012
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Database Spotlight: Muslim Public Opinion and Public Opinion in the Islamic World on Terrorism, al Qaeda and US Policies (PIPA)
7/17/2012
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START interns nominated for DHS award
7/17/2012
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START Intern Profiles: July
7/17/2012
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Career Profile Session with Rohina Phadnis, Aug. 1
7/17/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Lauren Pinson
7/17/2012
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Significant Terrorist Events in the News: June 19- July 16, 2012
7/17/2012
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START interns and staff take to the lanes
7/16/2012
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Naval Research Lab scientist offers career advice
7/3/2012
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Masculine honor ideology shapes responses to terrorism
6/21/2012
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Intern for START
6/21/2012
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LaFree gives talk at Conference on Intelligence and Security Informatics
6/21/2012
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Apply by July 15 to earn Graduate Certificate
6/21/2012
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June 2012 e-newsletter available now
6/21/2012
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June 2012 e-newsletter available now
6/21/2012
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START interns gain unique experience with State Department
6/20/2012
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START intern profiles: June
6/20/2012
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Former START intern pursues dual passions
6/19/2012
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Researcher spotlight: Anthony Lemieux
6/19/2012
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Database spotlight: Big Allied and Dangerous (BAAD)
6/19/2012
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Significant Terrorist Events in the News: May 18- June 18, 2012
6/19/2012
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CASE awards START top honors
6/19/2012
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START advises Indian Home Secretary R.K. Singh
6/18/2012
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START workshop gives better understanding of CBRN technologies
6/14/2012
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START’s Shoemaker presents Border Crossing findings at monthly series
5/23/2012
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START welcomes visiting scholar
5/23/2012
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START hosts expert panel and career symposium on innovation in homeland security
5/22/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: April 23, 2012- May 17, 2012
5/17/2012
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Thank you spring interns and congratulations graduates!
5/17/2012
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Increasing risk perception alone won’t improve preparedness
5/16/2012
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START to begin monthly series highlighting Dataverse data collections
5/16/2012
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Database spotlight: Profiles of Perpetrators of Terrorism in the United States (PPT-US)
5/16/2012
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Maryland Day memories
5/16/2012
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Researcher spotlight: Hamilton Bean
5/10/2012
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Al-Qaida’s fatal terrorism under Osama bin Laden
5/1/2012
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April 2012 e-newsletter available now
4/27/2012
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‘Working with al-Qaeda Documents: An Analyst’s View before 9/11’
4/27/2012
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The Formation of Unholy Alliances: How violence threatens international security
4/27/2012
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START’s website proves valuable, well-used resource
4/26/2012
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Job Posting: Data Collection Manager
4/25/2012
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START intern to be featured in Seventeen Magazine
4/24/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Erica Chenoweth
4/24/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: March 26 - April 23, 2012
4/24/2012
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START researcher participates in homeland security panel
4/24/2012
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START intern makes a difference at START and in the UMD community
4/23/2012
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LaFree recognized as field leader by American Society of Criminology
4/23/2012
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START students discuss job opportunities with Lockheed Martin executives
4/23/2012
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START, Centers of Excellence leaders visit Capitol Hill
4/6/2012
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March 2012 e-newsletter available now
3/29/2012
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UMD president chairs inaugural DHS Academic Advisory Panel
3/28/2012
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New study shows alliances and not religious ideology are key to forecasting CBRN pursuit
3/28/2012
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Researcher spotlight: Brandon Behlendorf
3/28/2012
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Earn a graduate certificate through START
3/28/2012
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Summer courses for credit through START
3/28/2012
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Terrorism studies program takes students to tour the Pentagon
3/27/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Feb. 21 - March 25, 2012
3/27/2012
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START investigator and former TRA recipient publish book on the mobilization of right-wing extremism
3/21/2012
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Research Roundtable features expert on policing terrorism
3/14/2012
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The tradeoffs between protecting against man-made and natural disasters
3/12/2012
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January 2012 e-newsletter available now
3/7/2012
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February 2012 e-newsletter available now
3/7/2012
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UMD President Loh named chair of DHS Academic Advisory Council
3/1/2012
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START research informs Senate report on Chesser
2/27/2012
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START accepting applications for new scholarship program
2/22/2012
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Ballots instead of bullets
2/22/2012
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Top-ranked criminology journal features START research
2/22/2012
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START participates in risk communication conference
2/21/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Jan. 24 - Feb. 20, 2012
2/21/2012
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START’s spring seminar features internationally recognized terrorism scholar
2/20/2012
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START researchers fight cybercrime with old school criminology
2/20/2012
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START interns get vital career preparation
2/20/2012
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Interns extend growing relationship between START and State Department
2/15/2012
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START teams up with the University of Oklahoma to study effective counterterrorism strategies
2/15/2012
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START researcher to publish book on suicide bombings
2/9/2012
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Sign up for START's e-newsletter and mailing list
2/8/2012
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Senior Research Associate
2/7/2012
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Terrorism studies minor now accepting applications
2/6/2012
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START names new executive director
1/31/2012
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Urban U.S. counties hot spots of terror, but rural areas are not exempt
1/31/2012
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START study abroad sheds light on pacific-rim counterterrorism strategies
1/30/2012
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Terrorism studies graduate certificate application deadline is quickly approaching
1/30/2012
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Exposed to new perspectives - Katiria Ortiz’s Australian Experience
1/30/2012
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Seeing Sydney: Katharine Sobotka and her study abroad experience
1/30/2012
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New research examines financial crime and political extremism
1/30/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Jan. 1 - Jan. 23, 2012
1/30/2012
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Leading terrorism expert discusses mobilization of women into terrorist networks
1/30/2012
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LaFree named Distinguished Scholar-Teacher
1/30/2012
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START researcher invited to discuss terrorists’ motivations
1/27/2012
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DHS renews support for START terrorism research for next five years
12/20/2011
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LaFree comments on terrorist imprisonment
12/12/2011
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Violent extremism in the U.S.
12/9/2011
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START seminar lecturer receives top honors
12/1/2011
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Prevention and Protection in an Age of Terror
11/29/2011
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START seeks spring 2012 communication interns
11/21/2011
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START students take advantage of exclusive CIA opportunity
11/17/2011
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START Investigators Present Research at National Conference
11/15/2011
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Terroism expert discusses new research during START Seminar
11/14/2011
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LaFree Discusses Terrorism Myths and Realities
11/11/2011
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Manager/Senior Researcher for Special Projects
10/31/2011
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START researchers brief Swedish delegation
10/27/2011
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Fahey discusses political instability, state capacity and terrorism
10/25/2011
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Background Report: ETA Ceasefires by the Numbers
10/21/2011
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DHS Awards Career Development Grant to START
10/14/2011
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START Director LaFree to Moderate Discussion with Secretary Napolitano and Governor O'Malley
10/7/2011
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Background Report: Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Anwar al-Awlaki, and Samir Khan
9/30/2011
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START Partner Center for Biosecurity Launches
9/27/2011
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Director of Administrative Services
9/22/2011
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: START Executive Director
9/20/2011
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Summer 2011 START Bulletin Now Available
9/19/2011
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START Releases 2011 Research Review
9/19/2011
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START Affiliate Releases Report on Al-Awlaki
9/13/2011
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START Assesses Impact of 9/11
9/6/2011
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START Researchers Participate in Session on Psychology of Terrorism
9/5/2011
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START Researchers Present at American Political Science Association Annual Conference
9/5/2011
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START Investigators Participate in 2011 American Sociological Association Annual Conference
8/20/2011
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START Research Team to Develop Risk Communication Training Program
8/18/2011
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START Announces 2011-2012 Terrorism Research Award Participants
8/4/2011
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Internship: Communication
8/4/2011
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START Responds to White House Report on Preventing Violent Extremism
8/3/2011
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Events and Transition Coordinator
8/2/2011
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START Director Gary LaFree Comments on Terrorism Research Before and After 9/11
7/14/2011
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START Affiliate Offers Master's Degree in Counter Terrorism and Security Studies
7/11/2011
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START Researchers Featured in Journal of Homeland Security
7/7/2011
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Background Report: Suicide Attack on Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan
6/29/2011
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START Releases New Data Collections
6/23/2011
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New START Project to Focus on Extremist Violence in U.S. Counties
6/10/2011
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START Congratulates its Graduating Seniors
5/19/2011
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START Response to Death of bin Laden
5/4/2011
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Spring 2011 START Bulletin Now Available
4/29/2011
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Background Report: Suicide Attack at Moscow Airport
1/25/2011
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Background Report: Incendiary Devices in Packages
1/7/2011
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Fall 2010 START Bulletin Now Available
12/2/2010
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Background Report on Package Bombs on Cargo Planes
11/1/2010
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Materials Available from START Seminar, "The Role of Academia in Homeland Security"
10/25/2010
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Follow the START Seminar, "The Role of Academia in Homeland Security" Live on Twitter
9/15/2010
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START Releases First Research Review
10/21/2009
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University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA  |  301.405.6600  |  infostart@start.umd.edu  |  http://www.start.umd.edu/start

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