All Terrorism & Security
Kurdish leader's murder in Paris threatens tentative Turkish-PKK peace dealThe killings of PKK founder Sakine Cansiz and two others could be an attempt to derail negotiations between Ankara and the PKK to peacefully end the militant group's separatist campaign.
Japan to boost military budget amid regional tensionsThe budgetary shifts are relatively modest but reverse the course of the past decade. The move comes at a time when Japan is increasingly at odds with China over disputed islands in the East China Sea.
British soldier killed in latest 'insider attack' in AfghanistanThe shooting highlights concerns about the Afghan National Army's ability to assume responsibility for security as international troops begin their drawdown.
Assad speech resoundingly dismissed by opposition and alliesSyrian President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public speech yesterday that, outside the regime, is seen as offering nothing more than many more months of violence.
Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani teen shot by Taliban, is released from UK hospitalMalala Yousafzai quickly became an international symbol of resistance to the Pakistani Taliban after she was shot for her efforts to promote girls' education.
US drone strike in Pakistan kills influential Taliban commanderUS strikes in northwest Pakistan reportedly killed Maulvi Nazir, a Pakistani Taliban commander known for fighting US forces in Afghanistan. Some in Pakistan's military viewed him as a 'good' Taliban.
Any end in sight? Syrian conflict enters third calendar yearMany believed 2012 would be Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's last year in power, but at the outset of 2013 the conflict appears locked in a stalemate with alarming fatality rates.
UN envoy: Without deal in Syria, think Somalia not YugoslaviaThe United Nations' envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi argued against hopes that the country could find stability by devolving into a set of smaller states.
US embassy evacuated as rebels surge in Central African RepublicThe turmoil in the landlocked African nation has prompted calls for France to intervene militarily in its former colony. 'Those days are gone,' said French President François Hollande.
UN envoy tries to revive Syria peace planThe plan from UN special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, is unlikely to gain traction without more concessions to the Syrian opposition.
Syria fires more Scud missiles as refugee projections climbNATO condemned Syria for firing Scud-type missiles yesterday, which Syria denies doing. The UN says the violence could result in as many as 1 million refugees over the next six months.
Palestinians begin returning to Yarmouk refugee camp in SyriaPalestinians are returning to their refugee camp after fighting sent them fleeing, but the number fleeing Syria or facing internal displacement continues to rise.
Panel on Benghazi attack heaps blame on State, citing 'systemic failures'An independent panel investigating the 9/11 attack on the US consulate in Benghazi released a report finding that the State Department failed at securing the compound on multiple fronts.
NBC's Richard Engel released in Syria, a journalist danger zoneThe Syrian conflict is making 2012 the deadliest year on record for journalists.
Syria's VP calls for peaceful resolution to crisis – possibly without AssadMr. Sharaa says that both the regime and rebels will need to work together to resolve the conflict in Syria, since neither has exclusive rights to dictate the country's future.
Russia insists it stands by Syria's Assad, despite earlier commentsThe Russian deputy foreign minister said yesterday that the Syrian regime might fall – a bold declaration because Russia has been a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad.
Japan scrambles F-15s after China flies over disputed islandsThe Chinese plane had already left the islands – known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan – by the time the Japanese F-15s arrived.
Will US recognition of Syrian opposition group open channels for weapons support?The US has refused Syrian rebels weapons because of the presence of jihadi groups fighting there. Could recognition of the Syrian Opposition Coalition change this?
Will Egypt's military choose to make or break the referendum process?By granting the Egyptian military the power to arrest citizens during the referendum process, Morsi has given it enormous influence over the outcome of the controversial constitutional vote.
Will Morsi's security request give Army renewed clout?President Mohamed Morsi has asked the military, whose power he curtailed earlier this year, to help keep the peace as Egypt's Dec. 15 constitutional referendum nears.
