All Security Watch
- US airlines to resume flights to Israel but no respite in Gaza conflict
The Federal Aviation Authority had stirred controversy in Israel by telling airlines to avoid Tel Aviv's airport. More than 700 Palestinians and 30 Israelis have died since fighting began July 8.
- Iraq's 'Islamic State' is quite happy to rule by terror
The Islamic State's game plan is to use massive doses of savagery and terror to get what it wants in Iraq. So far, it's working.
- Can Kerry sell cease-fire as Abbas backs Hamas demands?
John Kerry's unannounced visit to Jerusalem and the West Bank today comes as the PA's Abbas voices support for Hamas's condition of ending Gaza economic blockade.
- The importance of Ben Gurion airport to Israel
After a reported Gaza rocket strike near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, the US suspended commercial flights to and from Tel Aviv.
- Black boxes, MH17 victims begin to leave Ukraine combat zone
A train carrying the first remains of Malaysia Airlines passengers reached Kharkiv today, and separatist rebels handed over the plane's black boxes to Malaysia authorities.
- Fresh fighting in eastern Ukraine as MH17 flight investigation flounders
A new offensive is under way in the separatist region of Donetsk. The MH17 crash scene, meanwhile, has become chaotic, with international investigators finding access limited or blocked outright by rebels.
- Game changer in Ukraine? World leaders call for swift investigation into downed flight MH17
Ukrainian and Russian leaders are trading accusations over the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. Crash investigators will have to overcome working in a war zone.
- As Gaza cease-fire ends, Hamas and Israel meet on possible truce in Cairo
A UN-brokered temporary cease-fire today in Gaza allowed Palestinians to get supplies and money. Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian officials were in Egypt to discuss a longer-term agreement.
- Gaza militants' rockets: Fewer, less accurate than last Hamas-Israel conflict
Though the Iron Dome interceptor system has been credited for the minimal damage Israel has suffered in the current conflict, the threat from Gaza appears to be smaller than in 2012.
- Palestinians told to evacuate northern Gaza as Israel steps up airstrikes
After a unilateral ceasefire failed Tuesday, Israel signaled an escalation of a bombing campaign aimed at Hamas. The legality of targeting houses of militants is hotly debated.
- Iraq is closer to forming a government but its military remains in tatters
A new government without a capable military won't mean much. And it doesn't appear that Iraq has one at the moment.
- As UN pulls staff from chaotic Libya, a nascent appeal for foreign peacekeepers
Rival militias are battling for control of Libya's international airport, which is closed after rocket fire destroyed most of the planes on the ground.
- Did Kerry just ditch America's vision for Afghanistan?
A positive step for Afghanistan is brokered by John Kerry. The key feature? Giving up on longstanding US political strategy for Afghanistan.
- Israel downs drone from Gaza, Palestinians flee air strikes
Israel said it shot down a drone near Ashdod with a Patriot missile. Hamas has continued its menacing but ineffective rocket barrage into southern Israel as foreign nationals in Gaza flee.
- Hamas vs. Israeli forces: Is a ground offensive coming?
Will Israel send in ground troops as it did with Operation Cast Lead in 2009? Or, will this be a relatively short air-strikes-only operation, like the 2012 Pillar of Defense? On Saturday, Israel added another missile battery to its Iron Dome.
- Kerry seeks end to Afghan election impasse as rival candidates claim victory
Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, who lost the last election to President Hamid Karzai, wants a comprehensive audit of last month's runoff election ballots.
- Indonesia just dodged a bullet. Or did it?
It appears Joko Widodo has won Indonesia's presidency over former general and Suharto stalwart Prabowo Subianto. But that doesn't mean Indonesia is on easy street.
- Ban Ki-moon: Israel, Gaza can't 'afford another full-blown war'
An estimated 20 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes overnight. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned the situation could 'quickly get out of control.'
- Netanyahu weighs options as Gaza militants fire rockets deeper into Israel
A rocket reached the Israeli city of Hadera overnight, the furthest a rocket fired from Gaza has ever reached. Concerns about an Israeli ground invasion are growing.
- US nabs alleged Russian hacker – and Kremlin cries foul
The US Department of Justice arrested a Russian in Guam for involvement in a hacking and stolen credit card ring. Moscow says he was framed.