All Security Watch
- Is Obama considering 'sanctions' on Israel?
A lot of partisan media outlets and Republican politicians appear to believe so.
- Syria, Iran accuse Israel of air strike; arms for Hezbollah are likely target
Israel did not confirm the strikes, reportedly near the Damascus airport and Lebanon's border, but analysts noted Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke earlier of dealing with regional threats.
- US 'terrorism?' What's not being said about Kansas City, Austin attacks.
The adoption of slogans like the 'war on terrorism' since Al Qaeda's attacks on 9/11 was supposed to be about the tactic, not about the underlying beliefs of the attacker.
- British police arrest seven in latest anti-jihadi sweep
The men arrested include one who had been seized in an earlier crackdown on the banned jihadi group Al-Muhajiroun, led by extremist preacher Anjem Choudary.
- From Egyptian judges: conspiracy theories, mass death sentences, and freedom for Mubarak
Space for dissent in Egypt is shrinking fast, as impunity for the powerful appears to be, once again, on the rise.
- Hong Kong protest leaders try to 'surrender.' Why did police say no?
The theatrical attempt at 'surrendering' to authorities who weren't seeking the protest leaders' arrest comes amid flagging hopes of success for the Hong Kong democracy pressure group.
- Israel elections loom: Why now, and will it mean anything for the peace process?
A date hasn't been set, but early Israeli elections are all but a lock.
- In Iraq oil deal with Kurds, a ray of light for compromise
The agreement between Baghdad and the Kurdish Regional Government is the first major sign of compromise since the self-described Islamic State began its major advance in Iraq in June.
- Lebanese reports claim seizure of wife and child of Islamic State leader
Unnamed officials say authorities detained family members of the Islamic State's Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi at the Syrian-Lebanese border.
- Mubarak's release: proof of Egypt's newly confident military order
Former President Mubarak was cleared of criminal charges related to the uprising that unseated him in 2011. As young activists filled Tahrir Square at the time, few imagined that just three years later a new military regime would again chain the press and civil society.
- Canadian-Israeli woman reportedly captured by IS as airstrikes increase
Gill Rosenberg, a foreigner fighting with Kurdish forces in Syria, was allegedly captured by the Islamic State. Various Kurdish sources report Ms. Rosenberg is safe, but military officials have not provided evidence of life.
- US strikes target Islamic State forces in Syrian towns of Raqqa and Kobane
The expanding US-led campaign against the Islamic State in Syria saw a wave of bombings today.
- Netanyahu lashes out at moves to recognize an independent Palestine
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called the European initiatives a 'big mistake for peace.' Meanwhile, a bill to codify Israel's identity as a 'Jewish state' is drawing fire.
- Russia says it will 'wait patiently' as France suspends Mistral warship sale
France was under heavy pressure from NATO allies not to go through with the sale of the helicopter carrier amid rising tensions over Ukraine.
- Six years in, Obama gearing up to be a war president
President Obama's dismissal of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today is the latest sign of the president's growing hawkishness in the face of unresolved conflicts in the Middle East.
- China dismisses US call to halt island construction project in South China Sea
China says its construction of an island on top of a reef in the contested Spratly Islands is 'completely justifiable.' It appears the expanded island could accommodate an airfield.
- China upholds life sentence for Uighur academic
Economist Ilham Tohti received a life sentence in September for 'splittism' and 'inciting hatred.' Many in the academic and diplomatic community say he is a rare prominent voice of moderation.
- Miss Honduras's killing all too familiar in world's murder capital
The beauty queen's murder by her sister's boyfriend is just a high-profile example of the sort of violence – particularly against women – that has given Honduras the worst per capita murder rate outside a war zone.
- Islamic State execution video includes two French jihadis, France confirms
French President François Hollande said that Europe needs to be more vigilant about the radicalization of its citizenry after the appearance of several Europeans in the video showing the execution of American aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig.
- Islamic State fighters pushed back on fronts in Syria, Iraq
Kurdish fighters continue to gain ground against the self-described Islamic State in the Syrian border town of Kobane. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces have reportedly regained full control of the country's largest oil refinery.