All Security Watch
- Listening to Edward Snowden at SXSW
Snowden said his leaks have made the US safer.
- Israel: Seized rockets would put Jerusalem in Gaza's range
Today Israel presented to the media the Iranian-supplied weapons from an intercepted ship last week. The discovery bolsters its case that Iran cannot be trusted.
- Taliban tell Afghan voters to stay home ahead of presidential election
The Taliban have tried to undermine every election since US-backed forces took power in 2001. The Interior Ministry claimed that 95 percent of polling stations will open on election day.
- Obama refuses to recognize a Russian Crimea. But is secession illegal?
Crimea is set to hold a referendum on March 16 on whether to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. President Obama says it is illegal according to international law. Western scholars agree.
- Will Iran's 'end to extremism' take hold?
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who met today with the European Union's top diplomat, Catherine Ashton, has made some changes, but the threat of a reversal still looms, say Iran experts.
- Malaysia Airlines plane missing: Stolen passports raise suspicions of terrorism
Malaysia Airlines plane, flight MH370, disappeared from radar suddenly on Saturday night. Two passengers listed on the Malaysia Airlines plane reported their passports stolen. Are the stolen passports indicative of a terrorist act?
- Kiev snipers: Who was behind them?
Ukraine is sparring with Russia over the identity of snipers who killed scores of people, police as well as protesters, last last month in Kiev. Solving the mystery could bolster or delegitimize Ukraine's leaders.
- Ukraine crisis: What’s the point of US military activity near Russia?
The modest US show of force is intended more to reassure new NATO members rattled by the crisis in Ukraine than it is designed to send Russia into retreat with its tail between its legs.
- OpinionRussia and the West are both being played by Ukraine's political elites
Ukrainian political elites have repeatedly tried to fob off their failures onto Moscow and the West, while extorting maximal support from both. The West must make any cash handouts conditional on meeting protesters' demands for democratic reforms.
- EU gets tougher on Russia, but is Germany putting brakes on stronger sanctions?
The EU froze trade and visa talks with the Kremlin over Russia's intervention in Ukrainian Crimea. But whether further sanctions are implemented depends on Germany.
- Muslims in Central Africa Republic under attack. UN debates deployment.
UN chief Ban Ki Moon wants 12,000 peacekeepers for conflict-riven CAR. Muslims say they may be killed or driven out by the time the blue helmets arrive.
- China to Russia: You're putting us in a tight spot
China's instinct is to stand by its strategic partner, but Russia's intervention in Ukraine's Crimea appears to violate China's principle of strict state sovereignty.
- Why President Obama stopped calling Turkish leader Erdogan
The US used to hold Turkey up as a role model for the Middle East. But today, as it floats the possibility of banning Facebook and YouTube, Turkey has lost its shine.
- Obama Ukraine proposal: Enough punch to forestall a Russian Crimea?
Obama phoned Russia's Vladimir Putin Thursday to discuss a US proposal for resolving the Ukraine crisis. Earlier, the US moved to begin a regimen of sanctions against Russia. Will those be enough to prevent Russia's annexation of Crimea?
- The recidivism rate of former Guantánamo prisoners is really low – and falling
Guantánamo Bay continues to release a trickle of detainees – very few of whom return to the battlefield.
- Liz Wahl: Russia Today anchor quits on air as cold war rhetoric heats up
RT anchor Liz Wahl quit live on air yesterday, saying she could no longer stand the Russian government channels 'whitewashing.'
- Does Putin really want Crimea within Russia? Maybe not.
The Crimean parliament declared its intention to become Russian territory, and will hold a referendum soon. But the Kremlin may have more to gain if Crimea remains within Ukraine.
- NATO airstrike that kills Afghan soldiers deals fresh blow to ties
Drone strikes are a key sticking point in shaping a security deal with Afghanistan that would allow a US presence after the planned troop withdrawal at the end of 2014.
- Crisis in Ukraine: After day of Paris talks, a dramatic change in tone
Secretary Kerry said the intensive talks in Paris produced a commitment from all sides to resolve the Ukraine crisis through dialogue. 'I'd rather be where we are today than yesterday,' he said.
- South Sudan: Fatal gunfire in Army barracks where war started
This time the gun shots that killed five were not the start of a coup, but a dispute over pay.