All Security Watch
- Drone strikes: Rights groups berate US for not following its own rules
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say the US is not providing the transparency on drone strikes promised by President Obama last May and may even be guilty of war crimes.
- Amnesty report on Pakistan drone strikes contradicts US assurances of precision
The US insists that almost all drone strikes in Pakistan hit legitimate targets, but a new Amnesty International report says at least 29 civilians have been killed since 2012.
- Why Syria peace conference is a tough sell for Kerry: Assad wants to come
Secretary Kerry is traveling to London to boost support for a Syria peace conference. Rebels view Assad's intentions with suspicion, but the US hopes to find support among the many opposition groups.
- Explain yourself: France, Mexico irate over NSA spying
France summoned the US ambassador today after Le Monde reported that the NSA intercepted 70.3 million phone calls and text messages in France over 13 months.
- FocusIn cyberarms race, North Korea emerging as a power, not a pushover
A 4-year cyberattack-and-espionage campaign targeting key South Korean institutions suggests North Korean cyberwarfare capabilities are far more potent than previously believed.
- Saudis reject Security Council seat: what led to the shocking snub
Saudi Arabia was elected to a coveted seat on the Security Council, but the Saudis, dismayed by UN and US positions on Syria and Iran, turned it down. Some experts question the wisdom of the snub.
- Robot jellyfish? Eel-like craft? Why US Navy wants undersea drones.
Unmanned underwater vehicles could transform US military operations in the world's oceans, just as aerial drones have changed the way America conducts land wars. That's why the Navy is funding projects that sound as if they are pulled straight from science fiction.
- After Westgate Mall attack: Al Shabab penetrates even to Kenya high schools
Leaked intelligence reports in Nairobi say the Somali terror group is finding an audience even in prominent prep schools and academies, as well as madrassas.
- NSA or Google?
Pick your poison. (And cue the lame "don't be evil" jokes.)
- OpinionWar robots will lessen killing – not increase it
Stemming from fear that autonomous robots could embark on a campaign of indiscriminate killing, some have called for a global moratorium on 'lethal autonomous robotics.' In fact, there is a convincing base of evidence that robots are more likely to prevent slaughter than engage in it.
- Weapons, fighters flow to Syria's next battlefront as offensive looms
The Assad regime appears poised to attack the strategic rebel-held Qalamoun region, which separates regime strongholds of Damascus and Syria's coast. Rebel forces have swelled in preparation.
- Trail of Kenyan mall attack leads investigators to Norway
Norwegian police have been questioning friends and family of a Somalia-born Norwegian citizen who they suspect may be one of the gunmen behind last month's terrorist attack in Nairobi.
- Iran nuclear talks: Will 'bad cop' Congress approve a deal?
Smiles abounded after world powers ended talks this week with Iran on its nuclear program. US officials will have to win over skeptical members of Congress and key US allies if there is to be a deal.
- Why a little-noticed chat between the US and Iran is a big deal
Direct contact between the US and Iran, long hostile parties, drew little attention at nuclear talks in Geneva – a sign that it's rapidly becoming more routine.
- Outlook for Syria peace talks dims
The Syrian opposition has so far vowed to boycott November peace talks, bringing advantage to Bashar al-Assad, and undermining the position of a US-backed rebel group.
- US debt showdown: In the eyes of the world, the damage is already done
US politicians appear to have found a way to avoid going over a cliff and creating a US government default. But the rest of the world is taking note of how the US plays with financial fire.
- Russia suspends opposition leader's sentence. Will it quiet criticism of Kremlin?
The case of Russian anticorruption crusader and former Moscow mayoral candidate Alexei Navalny has put a spotlight on politically motivated trials in the country.
- Iran sanctions: How much are they really hurting?
Many experts argue that tough sanctions have brought Iran's economy to the brink of collapse. But other factors may be pushing Iran to the negotiating table.
- NSA spying? Everyone does it.
The latest Snowden revelation in the Washington Post makes it clear that the US and its National Security Agency have lots of foreign help when it comes to intelligence collection.