All Security Watch
- Iraq's insurgency shows staying power
With a string of bombings today in Baghdad, and Sunni militants still in control of parts of Anbar Province, Prime Minister Maliki's iron fist does not seem to be deterring insurgents.
- 'Significant breaches' show Obama failure on cyber-security, GOP senators say
Among the breaches listed by a Senate committee minority report were the thefts of a list of the weakest US dams and of cyber-security plans at nuclear power plants.
- Has Syria policy failed? Some see signs of a more forceful US posture.
The Obama administration is discussing new options for addressing the civil war in Syria amid warnings of growing threats to US national security, especially the rising strength of Al Qaeda-linked groups.
- An Egyptian propaganda video on journalists: So bad it's funny. Then just sad.
It was distributed via a TV station that was born out of the Egyptian uprising against Hosni Mubarak.
- 4 questions to ponder ahead of Afghanistan's presidential election
The only certainty is that Karzai's time is up.
- Profit trumps principle on Syria weapons black market
A steady stream of weapons from Iran and Russia, as well as those seized from Syrian Army storehouses, is being sold in Lebanon, reversing the flow of the war's early days.
- Pakistan Taliban talks delayed. What does each side want?
Prime Minister Sharif says he wants to give peace talks a 'last chance,' while militants are likely to ask for prisoner releases and free passage for its leaders.
- Al Qaeda disavowal of ISIS opens door to other jihadist groups
Jabhat al-Nusra, Al Qaeda's designated affiliate in Syria, has avoided the infighting with other Syrian rebel groups that was ISIS's downfall. It could see its support surge.
- After agonies in Central African Republic, will the Muslims stay?
The last US ambassador to the devastated African nation talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly there. Peacekeepers and a new matriarch-president are part of the good.
- Suicide bomb outside Beirut leaves Hezbollah, Lebanese forces looking helpless
Today's suicide bombing of a van headed toward Beirut is the second since Saturday to target Shiite areas of Lebanon and the fifth this year. Their neighborhoods have been paralyzed.
- US Treasury labels prominent Yemeni politician a terrorist
In an interview, Abdulwahab al-Homayqani, who has been accused of funneling money to Al Qaeda, insists he is innocent. The US faces hurdles prosecuting the popular politician as Yemenis rally around him.
- Al Qaeda's boss is fed up with Al Qaeda's Syrian 'affiliate' ISIS
And what's an affiliate anyway?
- Iran: Kerry, Obama rhetoric threatens to derail diplomacy
An Iranian diplomat argues that the repeated threats of war against Iran in the official US vernacular are harmful to delicate, ongoing nuclear negotiations and undermine the rule of international law.
- Egypt fires a warning shot at the foreign press
Charges against 20 Al Jazeera journalists appear to be just the opening shot, with the government issuing warnings to foreign reporters in Egypt.
- Would Western aid to Ukraine be a setback?
Conditions attached to the offer could place Ukraine once again at the center of tug-a-war between the West and Russia.
- Thai elections fail to end antigovernment protests
The day after disrupting voting in 69 out of 375 electoral districts, Thai antigovernment protesters resumed marches in Bangkok today. They seem uninterested in a negotiated end to unrest.
- Syrian talks fall short of low expectations. Did they serve a purpose?
Not one life was saved as a result of the first round of Syrian peace talks in Geneva, a UN official lamented. But the opposition's Ahmad Jarba still comes out a winner, analysts and officials say.
- South Sudan will release four rebels, clearing way for peace process
Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin says Juba will free remaining detainees in time to join peace talks scheduled for Feb. 7.
- Shades of the cold war? US eyes Russia on arms-treaty violations.
Washington reportedly suspects that Moscow may be developing a new cruise missile that could hit targets anywhere in Europe.
- Turkey wakes up to blowback threat from Al Qaeda-linked fighters in Syria
Turkey is increasingly concerned about the proliferation of Al Qaeda-linked fighters along its border with Syria. This week its military fired on jihadist targets in Syria.