All Security Watch
- Iraq risks 'return' to war? Maybe the wrong question.
Iraq is less violent than it was and the press frequently wonders if the country could descend into war again. What if the war never ended?
- Syrian fighting spills into Golan Heights – and Israel's doorstep
The Syrian Army and rebels battled for control of Syria's crossing into the Golan Heights. The fighting lasted for seven hours and sent UN peacekeepers scrambling.
- North Korea will talk to South Korea in bid to ease tension on the peninsula
Relations between the North and the South have been more strained than usual lately, but an agreement to discuss reopening a joint factory venture could shift the mood in the region.
- Britain joins France in saying nerve gas used in Syria
The British Foreign Office found the presence of sarin gas in several samples from Syria a day after the French government said there was 'no doubt' the chemical weapon was used by Assad's forces.
- Egypt to global democracy NGOs: Drop dead
A group of democracy activists, 16 of them US citizens, were sentenced to jail for their activities by an Egyptian court today.
- UN finds evidence of 'toxic chemicals' and a worsening war in Syria
A new UN report says some kind of chemical has probably been used on Syria's battlefield, but stopped short of saying what chemical or by whom.
- An Egyptian preacher and a US senator compete over Syria's future
Both Yusuf al-Qaradawi and John McCain want Bashar al-Assad to fall. But in their competing visions you'll find reasons for the White House's reticence over deeper military involvement.
- 'Occupy' is not a good model for change, in Turkey or anywhere else
Any protest movement that insists on a leaderless, non-ideological approach to political change is unlikely to accomplish much.
- In Turkey and Syria, diplomacy by snark
Syria lashes out at Turkey's brutality in a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
- Turkey's Erdogan dismisses protests: 'What is the message?'
Far from softening in the face of a public backlash, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan took a combative tone with reporters.
- Iraq sees deadliest month in 5 years
The violence has spanned the country, with an assassination attempt, explosions, shootings, and a series of bombings in Baghdad this week alone. Can the government bring the situation under control?
- Syria's president claims Russian arms are already arriving
President Bashar al-Assad said his regime has already received the first shipment of Russian anti-aircraft S-300 rockets. If true, prospects are dimmer for a US-Russia peace initiative.
- Why do they hate our NGO funding?
Well, because it is threatening to foreign governments.
- Why Syria is (still) different for the West
The drumbeat for war, or 'intervention,' in Syria continues to build, but it's still a dangerous proposition.
- Drone kills top Pakistani militant as US resumes drone attacks
Drone kills top Pakistani militant: A US drone attack that reportedly targeted the No. 2 leader of the Pakistani Taliban killed six people in North Waziristan.
- Should we stop worrying and learn to love the 'Muslim bomb?'
Pakistan's first nuclear test 15 years ago today frightened the world. But folks have gotten used to it.
- Egypt's antiquities face bigger problems than Chinese graffiti
How a young Chinese boy defaced an ancient Egyptian temple, and unwittingly joined a long tradition in the process.
- With EU arms ban set to lapse, obstacles to UK, French intervention fall
The European Union agreed to let an arms embargo on Syria expire on Jun. 1. Most of the EU is opposed to intervention in Syria, but the UK and France want to be able to arm the rebels.
- Russia says Syria peace talks in Geneva set, Syrian rebels not so sure
Russia says the Syrian government is willing to attend a peace conference in Geneva next month. But Syria's rebels doubt much progress is possible.
- Obama rhetorically ends the 'war on terror'
... while vowing it will go on by other means.