The recent series of bombings in London and the hunt for those responsible for the second wave of attacks have once again ignited the debate over what limits should be placed on the authorities in their effort to protect civilians from terrorists. It is well-documented that the Bush administration has sought to push the envelope of authorized interrogation techniques in the war on terrorism. Evidence has now surfaced that U.S. military physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists have used detainee medical records to capitalize on illness, phobias and other vulnerabilities to devise strategies to elicit information from detainees. The Center for American Progress brings together a panel of experts to discuss the role of military medical professionals in the interrogation process.

Despite the recent terror attacks in London, the security dimension of American mass transit systems remains a low priority for the federal government. While complete security is unattainable on transit systems that are designed to be accessible, better security is imperative. However, despite London and prior attacks in Madrid and Moscow, the Department of Homeland Security continues to underestimate the terrorist threat to transit systems. Transportation infrastructure protection is dominated by aviation security at the expense of other requirements. A better balance is required. Cities, states and the private sector have critical roles to play, but the federal government must increase transit security funding in order to sustain a stronger police presence; improve our surveillance capability; accelerate the development of better detectors; and incorporate security into future transit system design. London shows that al Qaeda and its affiliates and sympathizers are adapting their tactics. The United States must do the same.

America today faces a newly globalized economy, rapidly changing demographics, and a dangerous achievement gap. A renewed investment in and commitment to universal high quality education are critical to sustaining America's overall economic health and a strong and vibrant citizenry in the 21st century. For more than a year, Renewing Our Schools, Securing Our Future: A National Task Force on Public Education has investigated and considered new and innovative strategies to revitalize public education. Please join the Task Force along with the Center for American Progress and the Institute for America's Future at the release of Getting Smarter, Becoming Fairer: A Progressive Education Agenda for a Stronger Nation.

The judicial principles in play during the upcoming confirmation process affect the LGBT community and all Americans. The Supreme Court’s consideration of privacy rights, states rights, constitutional interpretation, and equal protection will impact us all. Hear from legal experts how these issues affect all of us, and how LGBT and other concerned communities should be approaching the upcoming hearings.

Over the past decade, the United States and its allies have faced a growing threat from suicide terrorist attacks. Daily, we are confronted with news reports and gruesome images of men and women killing themselves in order to destroy others. Since September 11, people in Bali, Riyadh, Istanbul, Madrid, London, Baghdad, and Tel Aviv have all experienced the devastation of suicide attacks. What drives these suicide bombers? What should the United States and its allies do to combat this tactic of terrorism as part of a larger counterterrorism strategy? Does the use of suicide bombing change the calculus for fighting terror? The Center for American Progress convenes a panel of preeminent experts to assist in explaining the growing phenomenon of suicide terrorism and what the United States and like-minded countries can do to stop it.

This event features Former Congressmen Mickey Edwards of Oklahoma and Martin Frost of Texas as keynote speakers. Other speakers include Professor Nelson Polsby, University of California, Berkeley; Professor Barbara Sinclair, University of California, Los Angeles; Norman J. Ornstein, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute; Professor Andrew Rudalevige, Dickinson College. Two prominent former staff directors, James Dyer of the House Committee on Appropriations and Billy Pitts of the House Rules Committee are also confirmed. Invited speakers include Elena Kagan, Dean, Harvard Law School; Washington Attorney C. Boyden Gray; Professor Richard Fenno, University of Rochester and Michael Beschloss, Historian.