All Security Watch
- The ExplainerIsrael's 'Jewish state' demand: Why Netanyahu and Abbas can't agree
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas meets with President Obama today. Israel's insistence that Abbas recognize Israel as a Jewish state is likely to be a point of contention.
- Tunisia’s model for bridging political and social divides
When any country enters a transition out of war or dictatorship, its citizens are full of hope that their leaders, economies, and societies will change. Yet too few transitions deliver. As seen in post-apartheid South Africa, the key to democratic transitions is political and social inclusiveness.
- Crimea to Russia: We're ready to be annexed
Officials announced that Sunday's referendum showed 96.77 percent support to break away from Ukraine and join Russia – a tally that seems dubious.
- Crimea vote: Five reasons why Putin's Ukraine case falls apart
Russian president says Kosovo example offers basis for Crimea's Sunday vote and secession from Ukraine. Angela Merkel calls the example 'shameful.'
- Stolen passports on Malaysia Airlines plane: stark evidence of security gap
The fact that two passengers aboard the missing Malaysia Airlines plane used purloined passports points to a big security gap – and is a reminder of the thriving global trade in black market documents. At the center: Thailand.
- Ukraine crisis: EU, US poised to slap tough sanctions on Russia
The sanctions the EU is considering suggest the depth of alarm over Russia's actions regarding the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. Western powers insist the referendum set there for Sunday is illegal.
- Former NATO commander says US is getting Ukraine about right
Adm. James Stavridis added that serious financial sanctions on Russia should also be considered.
- Hezbollah close to cutting off key route for Syrian rebels, refugees
A painstaking Hezbollah and regime offensive in Syria's Qalamoun region is coming to its climax. A victory would sever the main route to Lebanon for fleeing civilians and military supplies.
- Ukraine crisis: Does John Kerry see glimmer of hope with Russia?
Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to take two messages to his meeting in London Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- Fighting for Assad, Hezbollah buries its own
Hezbollah has incurred its greatest casualties ever while fighting for the Assad regime in Syria. Emotional funerals for fallen 'martyrs' are a way to keep up morale.
- Crisis in Ukraine: Why Merkel matters
Unlike Barack Obama or David Cameron, she is less easy to caricature as a mouthpiece for 'the West.'
- In Ukraine, being an oligarch is a bipartisan sport
A Yanukovych ally, Dmitry Firtash, was arrested Thursday in Austria at the request of the US. But corrupt and powerful oligarchs can be found in all camps.
- EU visit to Tehran elicits accusation of political meddling
Iranians see a meeting between the EU's top diplomat and rights activists as proof that the US and Europe will keep needling Iran, even if a nuclear deal is reached.
- Gaza militants fire more rockets into Israel after overnight air strikes
The tit-for-tat strikes between Islamic Jihad and Israel's air force haven't caused casualties but there are mounting tensions in Israel, which recently seized a weapons cache routed via Iran.
- Gaza militants fire rockets into southern Israel, snapping period of calm
Today's attack by Islamic Jihad caused only minor damage but sparked widespread condemnation in Israel, which staged airstrikes in 2012 on the Hamas-ruled territory.
- Libya is not on the verge of bankruptcy
Libya's government depends on oil revenue, which has slowed precipitously since militiamen took over the oil fields last summer. But there's no need to panic (yet).
- Global ViewpointRussia’s cyber weapons hit Ukraine: How to declare war without declaring war
By targeting the Ukrainian government with a cyber weapon, the Russians are able to effectively engage in an aggressive, kinetic act without actually declaring war, or other countries reacting like it is an act of war. This will not last forever.
- Russia puts security stranglehold on Crimea as referendum nears
Crimea cancels flights as pro-Russian forces tighten their grip ahead of Sunday's referendum on whether to secede from Ukraine, whose interim prime minister is due to meet President Obama today.
- Syria's secretive rocket industry spotlighted by Israeli weapons seizure
When Israel seized a cache of weapons last week, it played up Iran's role. But Syrian-made rockets in the shipment show its sophistication in developing longer-range missiles.
- Russia's plans for Crimea were long in the making
And the US knew that Russia was laying the ground to make a move on the strategically useful peninsula. Doing something about it is another matter.