All Security Watch
- Taliban slams Afghanistan's unity government as president-elect steps forth
A powersharing deal inked by rival candidates paves the way for former finance minister Ashraf Ghani to succeed President Hamid Karzai. The runner-up in the disputed election will remain a powerful player.
- Afghanistan names new president. But where does power lie?
Afghans finally have a president-elect under a messy power-sharing deal that may end up pleasing no one. And NATO will still be paying the bills.
- Islamic State: France joins US air campaign in Iraq, hitting logistics depot
French President Francois Hollande said Rafale jets destroyed an Islamic State logistics depot in northeastern Iraq. France is the first nation to join the US-led air campaign against IS.
- Islamic State extends reach? Australia thwarts alleged terror plot
Some 800 Australian police conducted raids in Sydney and Brisbane to foil an alleged plot to abduct and publicly behead citizens there. Those charged are allegedly linked to the extremist group Islamic State.
- Islamic State video threatens to kill US troops sent to fight
The video's release appears timed as a response to Gen. Martin Dempsey's testimony Tuesday to a Senate committee. He raised the possibility of sending US troops to fight Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria.
- Elizabeth the last queen of Scotland? Not so fast.
A lot of the coverage of polls saying Scots are leaning toward independence from the UK ignores the undecideds.
- Why Snowden and Assange line up with alleged digital pirate Kim Dotcom
Kim Dotcom is fighting extradition to the US on charges he ran a sophisticated scheme to share hundreds of millions worth of stolen movies and music. Now he has famous friends in his fight to unseat New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.
- Obama vows to strike Syrian regime if US jets attacking IS are targeted
The Obama administration said it would destroy Syria's air defenses if they fire on US planes attacking Islamic State militants inside Syria. The White House says it won't coordinate airstrikes with Damascus.
- Obama's IS plan looks good on paper. But in practice?
If US statements are taken at face value, Obama has set the country a mammoth task in the Middle East with a very low probability of success.
- Heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine leaves six dead despite cease-fire
A shaky truce between pro-Russian rebels and Ukraine came close to breaking down completely yesterday in eastern Ukraine. In the country's west, troops from the US and 14 other countries are joining pre-scheduled exercises.
- Kerry drums up Arab support in fight against Islamic State
The US Secretary of State received promises of help in Obama's new war against the Islamic State group yesterday from 10 Arab states.
- Obama's anti-Islamic State coalition: Who's in and what are they likely to do?
So far, it doesn't look like much. That explains why the US president was short on specifics when he vowed to take the fight to the jihadis.
- Kerry seeks support from Mideast allies for anti-Islamic State coalition
President Obama said Wednesday that the US would take the fight to Syria as part of an international coalition to destroy the self-declared Islamic State. But he ruled out a combat role for US troops.
- As Obama gropes for a strategy, a quest for moderates in Syria
Expect strong words from President Obama on confronting evil and bringing Islamic State militants to justice. But where are the capable allies and plug-and-play moderate rebels?
- Ukraine promises 'special status' for east, but no territorial concessions
President Poroshenko insisted today that there was no discussion of federalization or secession for eastern Ukraine. Rebel leaders said they were standing firm on independence.
- Dutch report blames 'high-energy objects' for MH17 crash, no suspects named
Dutch investigators say cockpit recordings show no emergency in the moments before Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 went down on July 17. Pro-Russian rebels fighting in eastern Ukraine are widely blamed for the incident.
- At NATO summit, vows of renewed efforts to contain Russia
Pledges are rolling in for a NATO 'rapid reaction' force, a direct response to what members say is Russian aggression against non-NATO member Ukraine.
- Zawahiri's Al Qaeda in India declaration. Dangerous or desperate?
Core Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri is looking over his shoulder, not for US Seals, but at the more brutal and successful self-styled Islamic State.
- France calls off Mistral warship sale to Russia. Should EU buy it instead?
Such a move could have accomplished two goals: Keep the ship out of Russian hands, and boost EU defense capabilities.
- NATO members gather in Wales with Russia at the top of the agenda
As the NATO summit's annual meeting began in Wales, members looked set to agree to creating a rapid reaction force focused on potential regional conflicts. The reason? Russia.