All Terrorism & Security
Rebel hopes rise that reelected Obama will act on Syria as blasts hit DamascusThree explosions in the capital, including an attack on the presidential palace, could mark a new phase in the rebels' campaign against the Assad regime.
- Bahrain blasts underscore tensions over lack of political reform
While the past 21 months have seen ongoing protests, a series of bombs in Bahrain's capital that killed two workers Monday has raised concerns about escalating violence.
Syria's opposition groups convene in Qatar – can they build a unified front?The opposition's Syrian National Council began a conference in Qatar yesterday to overhaul its structure. Many, including the US, have lost confidence in the fragmented group.
War-crime accusations emerge as Syrian rebels take strategic townSyrian regime forces may face logistical problems after withdrawing from the strategic town of Saraqeb. The UN says a video that has emerged appears to show rebels committing war crimes.
US backs new Syrian opposition council in bid to unite rebelsSecretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Syrian National Council could no longer be viewed as the 'visible leader of the opposition.' The group failed to attract broad support from Syrians.
Bahrain bans public demonstrations as protest movement rises againAn uptick in clashes between Bahrain's pro-democracy protesters and the government prompted Bahrain to take its most extreme steps to quash dissent since the uprising began in 2011.
Myanmar unrest threatens to destabilize democracy and regionA week of clashes in western Myanmar has left at least 84 people dead and forced some 22,000 into crowded camps along the coast, putting pressure on the government.
Airstrikes, car bombs in Syria leave brief cease-fire in tattersEstimates say at least 110 people were killed on Sunday in fighting between rebels and regime forces, with both sides accusing the other of having broken the UN-brokered cease-fire.
Holiday cease-fire in Syria pocked with bulletsTwo previous cease-fire attempts failed, and both the Syrian Army and rebels have hedged their commitment to this one.
Did Israel just blow up an Iranian weapons factory in Sudan?The Sudanese government blames Israel for an explosion at a munitions plant in Khartoum. Israeli media have reported the factory is owned by Iran's Revolutionary Guard and made arms for Hamas.
Brahimi's plan for Syria cease-fire takes two steps forward, one step backUnited Nations Syria envoy Brahimi said both the Syrian government and rebels agreed to a cease-fire for Eid al-Adha, but major disagreements could foil its chances of success.
Qatari emir comes to Gaza bearing gifts – maybe with some strings attachedSheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani's visit, pegged to the delivery of a hefty aid package, is the latest iteration of Qatar's efforts to expand its political influence in the region.
Syria: Little hope for Eid ceasefire as conflict spills across bordersAn Arab League official indicates a cease-fire is unlikely as Syrian President Assad has signaled little support. Meanwhile, the conflict is showing signs of spilling into Lebanon and Jordan.
China's naval exercises in East China Sea send warning to regional rivalsChinese naval exercises today simulated a conflict in disputed waters. Tensions between China and Japan have been mounting over claims to a set of islands in the East China Sea.
Cease-fire in Syria? Support from Iran and Turkey boosts UN envoy's bidIran and Turkey back opposite sides in the Syria conflict, but the two powers are united in support for UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi's proposal for a cease-fire later this month.
UN envoy to Syria visits region to resurrect cease-fire effortsThe United Nations' envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, visited Beirut today touting a fresh cease-fire for Syria. Damascus said it could support the plan, but said rebel disunity is a key obstacle.
Former Serb leader Karadzic: I deserve reward, not punishmentFormer Serbian leader Radovan Karadzic is on trial at The Hague for 10 counts of genocide and crimes against humanity. He opened his defense today by saying he had done everything 'in human power' to avoid war.
Turkey grounds Armenian plane in growing de facto air blockade of SyriaA week after raising Russian ire by grounding a plane traveling from Russia to Syria, Turkey grounded an Armenian airliner – this time in a routine check arranged in a recently inked agreement.
German foreign minister heads to Ankara to tamp down Turkey-Syria tensionsThe details of the Turkish grounding of a Syrian passenger plane earlier this week remain murky, but that hasn't stopped Turkey and Syria from trading accusations.
Turkey at odds with Moscow after grounding Russia-Syria flightTurkey, already on the brink of a conflict with Syria, may now be facing tensions with Moscow after grounding a flight from Russia on suspicion that it was carrying weapons for the Syrian regime
