New base for terror
The week's news at a glance.
Manila
The Philippine government formally protested to the U.S. this week after a top U.S. diplomat labeled a Philippine region “the next Afghanistan.” Joseph Mussomeli, the chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, told Australian television that the Philippine island of Mindanao was fast becoming a new base for international terrorism. Mindanao has long harbored Islamic militants, and Mussomeli said they are now working with Jemaah Islamiyah, the al Qaida–linked group that carried out the 2002 bombings in Indonesia that killed hundreds of Australian tourists. Mussomeli also said that the Philippine system of transferring money from overseas foreign workers is ideal for terrorists to hide money transfers. The Philippine Defense Ministry called Mussomeli’s comments “grossly inaccurate, patently unfair, prejudicial, and counterproductive.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Wine-tasting in Tuscany
The Week Recommends From biodynamic vineyards to historic cellars, the picturesque region is a wine lover's dream
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war
By The Week UK
-
The bougie foods causing international shortages
In the Spotlight Pistachios join avocados and matcha on list of social media-driven crazes that put strain on supply chains and environment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK