“The diagnosis that poverty, lack of education, or lack of opportunities have much to do with terrorism requires a fundamentally optimistic view of human nature. This diagnosis leads to the prognosis that all we need to do to solve the terrorism problem is to create societies that are less poor, better educated and have more opportunities.”

American journalist, documentary producer, professor, and author

Peter Lampert Bergen is an American journalist, documentary producer, think tank executive, professor, and author. He is best known for his reporting and commentary on foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism. His work centers on issues of international security and U.S. policy, and he has built a career across journalism, documentary production, academic work, and think tank leadership. His writing and public analysis focus on how governments respond to threats and conflict.