All Security Watch
- Iran nuclear talks: No news may be good news on Day 1
The details of proposals from Iran and world powers on a nuclear agreement will remain a secret until a deal is struck – or talks collapse.
- Another Afghan governor assassinated as clock ticks on US withdrawal
The governor of Afghanistan's Logar province was assassinated today. After 12 years of war, the clock is ticking on a US withdrawal from the country.
- Does the NSA know who 'friended' you on social media?
The latest leak about the NSA alleges that the US government uses foreign technology companies to collect hundreds of millions of digital contacts worldwide, including those of Americans.
- Ahead of nuclear talks, Iran focused on sanctions
US and Iranian and other officials are gathering in Geneva for talks on the country's nuclear program this week, but all sides are still groping for an acceptable compromise.
- Kidnapping of aid workers in Syria adds another layer to conflict
The humanitarian crisis in Syria is mounting, with reports of starvation in some towns. The kidnapping of seven Red Cross and Red Crescent workers won't make aid distribution any easier.
- Iran nuclear talks: Does one side hold the trump card?
Both the US and Iran think they are the stronger party as they head into nuclear talks this week. But that could cause deal-breaking miscalculations.
- Kerry drops into Kabul to prod Karzai on US withdrawal deal
US officials are hopeful that Secretary of State John Kerry, who has a cordial relationship with President Karzai, can get stalled talks going again about US military involvement in Afghanistan.
- OpinionLibya needs outside help to avoid perpetual war
The abduction of Libya's Prime Minister Ali Zeidan yesterday shows that Libya is unlikely to emerge from anarchy without outside help. NATO should train government security forces. The UN or EU should sponsor a disarmament conference with the militias destabilizing the country.
- Nobel Peace Prize win highlights work of chemical arms group OPCW
The 2013 Nobel Peace Prize went today to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is currently working to destroy Syria's stockpile. Nobel highly valued disarmament efforts.
- Jihadis may want to kill Assad. But is he lucky to have them?
The most effective forces fighting to topple Syria's Bashar al-Assad are jihadis, some linked to Al Qaeda. They're also a reason he has a shot at winning his war.
- Why no one stopped the kidnapping of the Libyan prime minister
Powerful Libyan militias resent Prime Minister Zeidan as a symbol of a government that would rein them in – if it could.
- Did US operation in Libya lead to PM's kidnapping?
A militia that fought against Muammar Qaddafi in Libya's civil war two years ago claimed responsibility for Zeidan's abduction, saying it detained him on orders from the prosecutor general.
- OpinionWhy Obama, UN can't fully trust Assad on chemical weapons in Syria
Bashar al-Assad's recent track record shows it is likely the regime will not live up to agreements on Syria's chemical weapons with the UN, Russia, and the US unless there are repercussions for stonewalling. For Obama, that means keeping the threat of military force alive.
- Is Iran ready for a nuclear deal?
At talks next week, Iran may offer to stop controversial fuel enrichment, a key demand of negotiators, in order to lift painful sanctions.
- CNN says Obama suspending aid to Egypt. White House disagrees.
The White House shot down a bombshell for Egypt watchers – that the US is cutting off all aid to Egypt. But something is probably afoot.
- Do the US and Iran need trust to strike a nuclear deal?
Next week's talks on Iran's nuclear program are the first since the phone call between Presidents Obama and Rouhani. Mutual mistrust doesn't have to stop a deal, some say.
- Britain's shadowy 'White Widow' linked to SEAL team target in Somalia
Samantha Lewthwaite is fingered as an insider in an Al Shabab cell thought to be encouraging international jihad and with Al Qaeda links.
- How credible is North Korea's threat of 'horrible disaster'?
North Korea went on high alert and said the US should forgo planned military exercises with Japan and South Korea. But it could have a hidden agenda.
- Commando raids: Africa's 'arc of instability' reorienting US terror map
Weak or failed states in northern Africa, described as an 'arc of instability' by US officials, are emerging as a new epicenter of terror activity, the weekend commando raids indicate.
- Karzai says Taliban no threat to women, NATO created 'no gains' for Afghanistan
Afghan President Hamid Karzai told this and more to the BBC in an interview out today.