All Security Watch
- A look at Ukraine's economic hole
Money will certainly be forthcoming for Ukraine. Whether it will come soon enough and in large enough quantities is another matter.
- 'Ukraine is game to you?' It shouldn't be.
An amusing Seinfeld clip about Ukraine, and a small observation about games.
- China ups military spend by 12 percent. Are the gloves coming off?
China plans to spend $132 billion on its military as it asserts its maritime interests, putting it at odds with the US military preeminence in the Pacific.
- Israel trumpets seizure of 'Iranian' weapons shipment
Israel says the weapons originated in Syria and were bound for Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu, in the US this week, warned Washington not to be distracted by Iran's nuclear outreach.
- OpinionHumanitarian aid is the best, and only, solution for Syria
The US and international community have run out of other options for addressing Syria’s bloody civil war. Greater humanitarian assistance can have a stabilizing effect, brings factions together, and paves the way for future cooperation. Without it, broken societies never mend.
- Chinese official: Train station attackers were trying to 'participate in jihad'
Beijing promises a tough tack on terrorism after a deadly knife attack in Kunming, but it wants to avoid fanning tensions between the Uighurs, who were fingered in the attack, and ethnic Chinese.
- Slaughter-crazy: Why is Nigeria's Boko Haram so successful?
Nigeria's radical Boko Haram fighters have launched multiple killing sprees in past months -- blasting villages and often scaring off the Army in the northeast region. What gives?
- Another odd day in Russia-occupied Ukraine
'Russian' soldiers without names or nationality, defecting soldiers who haven't defected – it's all just the norm in Crimea these days.
- Syria's 'third force' Kurds may emerge stronger from conflict
Syrian Kurds are attempting to assert greater autonomy from the chaos, but former ambassador to Syria Robert Ford says that the US would not back their bid, unlike in Iraq in the 1990s.
- Punish Russia? Why some Pentagon officials would prefer restraint.
The crisis in Ukraine has elicited tough talk from Capitol Hill, but in the back halls of the Pentagon, some officials are focused on a key supply line to Afghanistan that runs through Russia.
- Ukraine loses its hold on Crimea. What does Russia gain?
The Kremlin seems ready to detach Crimea, a Russian-speaking enclave and naval base, from Ukraine, but don't call it annexation – yet.
- US talks Russia sanctions, but would they make any difference?
The US has very few levers it can pull to punish Russia for its actions in Ukraine. Europe has much closer ties to Russia but so far appears loath to consider 'crippling sanctions.'
- A piece of news that should have Vladimir Putin grinning
Britain appears to want to protect London's lucrative financial industry from the repercussions of any sanctions targeting Russian or Ukrainian officials.
- OpinionUS patience better than pressure for Afghan security deal
Rather than pressuring Hamid Karzai to sign the bilateral security agreement now, waiting for the new Afghan president to sign the BSA gives it more legitimacy, may help end the Taliban insurgency, and will secure better US-Afghan relations for the future.
- Months of stalling preceded Syria's latest chemical weapons handover
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said today that Syria has removed more than a third of its chemical weapons, proving its 'commitment.'
- Putin on Ukraine: What he said, and what he meant
Six key takeaways from Vladimir Putin's press conference today about Russia's involvement in Ukraine.
- Egypt sets sights on Hamas in widening anti-Islamist campaign
Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which has been declared a terrorist organization and pushed almost completely underground.
- Where are the cyberattacks? Russia's curious forbearance in Ukraine.
Russia's recent conflicts with former Soviet states have included massive cyberattacks. But so far, none have been apparent in Ukraine, possibly because Ukraine can hit Russia back.
- Ukraine conflict: Global economic crisis brewing or local problem?
The crisis in Ukraine is rippling through the global economy, but one economist suggests that by far the greatest consequences are for Russia and Ukraine themselves.
- Is Ukraine crisis proof that Obama's 'lead from behind' policy failed?
With Secretary of State Kerry traveling to Kiev Tuesday to demonstrate US support for Ukraine, critics of Obama's foreign policy doctrine are hoping the trip signals the end of 'lead from behind.'