All Security Watch
- In Indonesian business, the more things change...A Rothschild scion is disappointed to learn that his Indonesian partners have treated him much like politically connected Indonesian businessmen have treated foreign partners for decades.
- IssaLeaks: More fallout from the Benghazi killingsWas it a good idea to release a lot of un-redacted State Department memos from Libya? Probably not.
Syria: Little hope for Eid ceasefire as conflict spills across bordersAn Arab League official indicates a cease-fire is unlikely as Syrian President Assad has signaled little support. Meanwhile, the conflict is showing signs of spilling into Lebanon and Jordan.
China's naval exercises in East China Sea send warning to regional rivalsChinese naval exercises today simulated a conflict in disputed waters. Tensions between China and Japan have been mounting over claims to a set of islands in the East China Sea.
What really happened in Benghazi?Well, I still have no idea. But apparently a mastermind has been named.
There will be no cease-fire in SyriaAt least not one that matters.
Cease-fire in Syria? Support from Iran and Turkey boosts UN envoy's bidIran and Turkey back opposite sides in the Syria conflict, but the two powers are united in support for UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi's proposal for a cease-fire later this month.
Getting in on the Benghazi blame gameHere's a list of where you should really be looking if you enjoy finger-pointing.
UN envoy to Syria visits region to resurrect cease-fire effortsThe United Nations' envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, visited Beirut today touting a fresh cease-fire for Syria. Damascus said it could support the plan, but said rebel disunity is a key obstacle.- A senior Iraqi official ponders if his government is a client of Iran'sWhy not? Everyone else is doing it.
Former Serb leader Karadzic: I deserve reward, not punishmentFormer Serbian leader Radovan Karadzic is on trial at The Hague for 10 counts of genocide and crimes against humanity. He opened his defense today by saying he had done everything 'in human power' to avoid war.
A quiet waiver for Pakistan from the Obama administrationIn September, the Obama administration waived conditions that would have halted $2 billion in aid to Pakistan on the grounds it hasn't made progress in fighting terrorism. Why? 'National security.'
Turkey grounds Armenian plane in growing de facto air blockade of SyriaA week after raising Russian ire by grounding a plane traveling from Russia to Syria, Turkey grounded an Armenian airliner – this time in a routine check arranged in a recently inked agreement.
German foreign minister heads to Ankara to tamp down Turkey-Syria tensionsThe details of the Turkish grounding of a Syrian passenger plane earlier this week remain murky, but that hasn't stopped Turkey and Syria from trading accusations.
Turkey at odds with Moscow after grounding Russia-Syria flightTurkey, already on the brink of a conflict with Syria, may now be facing tensions with Moscow after grounding a flight from Russia on suspicion that it was carrying weapons for the Syrian regime
Turkey vows tougher response if Syrian shelling continuesSeveral Syrian mortars landed in Turkey today. The two countries have exchanged fire for the past week, though Syria says it does not want a military confrontation.
Double blow to Mexico's Zetas? Top man Lazcano reportedly killed, another capturedThe Mexican Navy reports there are 'strong indications' that marines killed Zetas top man Heriberto Lazcano. Could this mean the end for the Zetas, or trigger more violence?
Libya attack: Congressmen casting blame voted to cut diplomatic security budgetReps. Jason Chaffetz and Darrell Issa claim the Benghazi consulate sought more security before the deadly attack. They also both voted to cut the State Department's embassy security budget.
Responses to Syrian shelling highlight Turkish-Western divide on conflictWhile the US and other Western nations resist being drawn into the fighting in Syria, Turkey is feeling the direct effects of bloodshed and refugees, putting pressure on Ankara to act.
Turkey tamps down talk of going to war with SyriaAfter Syria shelled a Turkish town yesterday and killed five civilians, Turkey returned fire and went to NATO. However, experts say Turkey's moves are more about deterrence.
