Focus
Silk Road
Secret Service Agent Sentenced in Online Currency Theft
A federal judge on Monday sentenced a former Secret Service agent to nearly six years in prison following his conviction on charges related to the theft of electronic currency during a high-profile investigation into the online drug bazaar Silk Road.
How a Virtual ‘Mob Boss’ From Texas Became the New Face of Organized Crime
In October 2013, the FBI arrested Ross “Dread Pirate Roberts” Ulbricht for his role in leading a major online criminal enterprise. This May, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
How Imperial China’s Campaign to Fend Off Barbarians Opened the Silk Road
The Han Dynasty imperial officers never found the Celestial Steeds they were searching for. What they did find was even more valuable.
Why China’s New Silk Road Could Be More Dangerous Than the Ancient One
The proposed China-Pakistan “Silk Road” will run through a terrorist hotspot, and separatist insurgents and Islamist militants aren’t happy about the deal.
This Is New York: Marla Mossman, on Documenting Disappearing Cultures
Marla Mossman has made eight trips—traveling by car, foot, horse, mule, and camel—through Silk Road countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, and India for her Peace Caravan Project.
Zhang Qian: Pioneer Explorer of the Route to the West
Zhang Qian is honored for the development of the ancient Silk Road and for being instrumental in promoting diplomatic ties, trade links, and cultural exchange between China and countries in Central and Western Asia.
Chinese Character: Silk (絲)
The Chinese character for silk depicts coils of silk or fine thread formed by strands that have been twisted together.
