All Security Watch
Nigeria tense after Islamists kill at least 178A spokesman for the Islamist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for Friday's attacks in the northern Nigeria city of Kano.
How France's threat to pull out of Afghanistan could impact NATOIn a tough day for NATO troops in Afghanistan, a man in an Afghan military uniform kills four French troops and a helicopter accident costs other NATO troops' lives.
Israel says ... Iran isn't building a nuclear weaponIf Israeli media reports are correct, Israel shares the US and European views of Iran: That it isn't seeking a nuclear weapon at the moment.
Despite rhetoric, Iran and US appear to be trying to restart Iran nuclear talksIranian Foreign Minister Salehi said that Tehran is willing to return to talks on Iran's nuclear program and that discussions have already begun about a date and location.
Russia pressures Syria to extend Arab League observer missionThe Arab League observer mission to Syria officially ends tomorrow. Many have dismissed it as ineffective, but it may be the only alternative to UN action, which Russia has blocked.
Israel, US postpone missile-defense drill to avoid provoking IranThe missile-defense drill had been trumpeted as showing US commitment to Israel's security. Some Israeli officials criticize President Obama for excessive caution in an election year.
Northern Iraq bomb follows a deadly Iraqi weekendA bomb killed eight people near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul today following a deadly weekend that raised concerns that sectarian tensions are on the rise once again.- Arab troops to Syria? Qatar makes a bold proposal.• A daily summary of global reports on security issues.
Iran nuclear talks: Tehran says it's ready, despite assassination.Tehran said it is ready to resume Iran nuclear talks with international powers after more than a year-long break. But it has yet to formally respond to an EU request to return to the table.- Marines urinating on the dead? This is war.The video of US marines urinating on dead Taliban fighters has shocked many. But the dehumanizing of the enemy was much worse back in the day.
US issues direct warning to Iran: close the Strait of Hormuz, risk military actionThe US reportedly used a secret channel to convey to Iran more forcefully that closing the Strait of Hormuz would provoke a military response.- Are the assassinations of Iranian scientists an act of terrorism?Iran has many capable engineers, and none of the victims appear to have had indispensable knowledge. But spreading fear among the living can slow them down and deter young recruits.
Observer mission in Syria begins to unravel, pushing forward UN optionAs the Arab League observer mission in Syria teeters amid accusations from members it is a farce, pressure may build for Syria to be referred to the UN Security Council.- US ends longest lull in drone strikes over Pakistan. Why now?The two-month freeze in US drone strikes in Pakistan, the longest in three years, was intended to allow time for US-Pakistan relations to heal after a mistaken US strike on Pakistani soldiers.
Iran keeps issuing threats, US keeps saving Iranian sailorsAs Iran has been promoting its naval prowess and ability to shut the Straits of Hormuz, US naval assets have been busy rescuing Iranian sailors.
Ahmadinejad, Chavez taunt US from CaracasIranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez poked fun at the US for its worry about the possibility of Iranian nuclear weapons.- Thomas Friedman in Cairo: A fact-checkNew York Times columnist Thomas Friedman is enormously influential, with a cabinet full of Pulitzer prizes, so it's important to set the record straight when he gets some facts wrong.
Syria's Assad, in rare speech, claims victory is nighPresident Assad once again blamed the 10-month uprising on foreign conspirators and armed gangs. But this time, Arab League monitors in Syria may contradict his version of events.
Iran sentences an American to death: the history of such 'spies'The good news is that many Americans accused of spying in Iran are eventually released. The bad news for Amir Mirzaei Hekmati is that Iranian-Americans have it rougher.
Iran sentences American to death for spyingIranian-American Mirzaei Hekmati was sentenced to death in Iran today after being accused of spying for the US – a charge leveled against Americans in Iran many times before.
