To protest China's abuse of power in its battle against terrorism, artist Ai Weiwei posted a photo to Instagram last week of himself making a "gun" with his leg. Since then, thousands of similar poses have flooded Instagram, which, unlike Facebook and Twitter, is not blocked in China.

By the spring, the entire federal government will have new standards for counterterrorism training, the result of a White House push to scrap instructions that called mainstream Muslims violent and likened Islam to the Death Star.

As recently as January 2009, the FBI thought its agents ought to know the following crucial information about Muslims:

Hey, terrorists! If you're considering blowing up New York but were worried about the NYPD's crack anti-terrorism team foiling your plot, don't worry: Here's what the largest police department in the country is on the lookout for. A blogger just found the plans in the trash.

A University of Colorado biologist working with the Pentagon is developing plants that can detect bombs. Yes: Terrorism-fighting plants that change color in the presence of certain chemicals. The 21st century is wild, isn't it?

Government counter-terrorism officials gamed out a very likely terrorist scenario in a Northern California drill this week: That of marijuana growers setting off bombs, taking hostages, and laying siege to a strategically critical dam. We are so prepared for this!

The Washington Post has released the first installment of its hyped two-year investigation into post-9/11 intelligence and national security growth, from William Arkin and the legendary Dana Priest. It's a freaking tome and will be playing all week. Be terrified.

[No one looked happy to see an increased counterterrorism presence on the New York City subway after terrorists threatened the Moscow subway system yesterday. Image via Splash]