All Security Watch
- Sinai car bomb underscores Egyptian army's tenuous grasp on security
A spate of militant attacks on Egyptian security forces and government officials could be a nascent insurgency.
- As more Iran talks loom, Obama presses senators to hold off on new sanctions
President Obama talked to a bipartisan group of senators Tuesday about the potential interim deal with Iran. Although some lawmakers are not satisfied with such a deal, it appears that no new sanctions are likely to pass Congress at least until December.
- Behind Lebanon suicide blasts, growing Saudi-Iran rivalry
Iran's embassy was targeted today by suicide bombers angry at Tehran's strong backing for the Syrian regime. Saudi Arabia is throwing its weight behind anti-Assad forces.
- Israelis applaud France for 'standing up' as Iran talks resume in Geneva
French President Hollande's warm words on a state visit to Israel echo the talking points of pro-Israel lobbyists in the US, but divisions on the Palestinian peace process remain.
- Posturing goes into high gear on eve of Iran nuclear talks
An Iranian video urging reason, the unveiling of new military equipment, and accusations of secret nuclear sites all bear implicit messages as negotiators arrive in Geneva.
- With Beirut bombing, Iran takes direct hit for helping Assad
Today's bombing on the Iranian Embassy in Beirut is the first attack in Lebanon to target Iran for its backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war.
- FAA strikes effective balance with new Unmanned Aircraft Systems privacy policy
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced privacy requirements for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) that will protect civil liberties while allowing UAS technology to develop. The FAA will also incorporate public feedback as it builds its regulatory approach through 2015.
- Global ViewpointUS-Iran negotiations are fragile, but there’s room for hope
The Obama administration faces pressure from Congress for more sanctions against Iran. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani faces increasing pressure from hardliners who oppose negotiations with the US. But a diplomatic deal is still clearly preferable for all sides.
- Bombers hit Iran's Beirut embassy amid fears of widening Syrian war
The suicide bombers who killed at least 22 people at the Beirut embassy were almost certainly Sunni jihadis seeking revenge for Iran's support for the Assad regime in Syria's civil war.
- FBI as cyber crime sleuth: Is it any match for computer bad guys?
The FBI's evolution into a cyber-crime-fighting agency, a decade in the works, has made the bureau 'one of the best in the world' at cracking computer crime. Cyber threats are poised to rival terrorism as the primary danger to US, says FBI's director.
- Miffed at Obama over Iran, Netanyahu cozies up to France's Hollande
With the six powers set to seek an interim agreement with Iran this week on its nuclear program, Israel's Netanyahu hailed Hollande as a lone voice opposing a 'really bad' deal.
- Death of Syrian rebel Abdulkader al-Saleh threatens hold on Aleppo
As leader of the Tawhid Brigade, Abdulkader al-Saleh was an important figure in the Syrian rebellion. He was expected to rise high in rebel ranks until he was killed by government forces.
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems in US skies: Addressing privacy concerns
Privacy issues related to the coming integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into US skies are important and entirely addressable, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said recently. A dialogue between UAS operators and the public will enable the creation of regulations that both protect privacy and allow the full promise of UAS in improving and saving lives to come to fruition.
- Iran's Arak nuclear reactor: Real dealbreaker or red herring?
Iran's Arak heavy water reactor was no secret to nuclear experts. It just didn't worry them. So how did it suddenly become a dealbreaker?
- Global ViewpointChina's Xi Jinping isn't a reformer. He's a pragmatist.
China's President Xi Jinping is neither a reformer nor a non-reformer. He is a pragmatist – a disciple of former Chinese Communist Party leader Deng Xiaoping. Mr. Xi seeks to build the overall vitality of the Chinese nation, and to do this, he feels the Party must maintain absolute control.
- Musharraf treason case could provoke new political tensions
Pakistan's decision to try Gen. Pervez Musharraf on treason charges sparks concerns of a showdown between civilian politicians and the country's powerful military.
- Syrian rebels' competition for limited money and weapons turns brutal
Kidnapping for ransom has become common between Syrian rebel groups competing for weapons to fight the Assad regime.
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems in US skies: Early steps forward
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) will help reshape American aviation – and help civilians do everything from improve crop yields to support wildlife conservation. A crucial step in fulfilling that promise will be the assignment of radio spectrum to enable more-robust control of UAS.
- Global ViewpointAmerica's global stature is slipping. But that might not be a bad thing.
Things are getting worse for the United States, not because of our weak policies but because the times are changing, our capabilities and energies limited, and we haven’t recognized it yet. We can’t afford to keep on doing those things we shouldn’t have been doing in the first place.
- Commonwealth Summit: Can it 'shine light' on abuses at end of Sri Lanka civil war?
Despite encouragement to boycott the summit, UK Prime Minister Cameron toured a former Tamil Tiger stronghold, trying to draw attention to 'chilling events' at the end of Sri Lanka's civil war.