All Security Watch
- Turkey grounds Armenian plane in growing de facto air blockade of Syria
A 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 tensions
The 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 flight
Turkey, 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 continues
Several 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 captured
The 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 budget
Reps. 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 conflict
While 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 Syria
After 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.
- The politics around the Benghazi consulate attack? Plenty of spin to go around
No one looks great two weeks after the murder of US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi. Not the Obama Administration. And not its critics.
- As Aleppo rages on, regional effort to mediate Syria falls apart
An effort by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran to present a solution for Syria seems to be collapsing because of lack of buy-in, despite strong national interests in ending the upheaval.
- Syria: more UN assembly speeches, one less UNESCO site
Fierce fighting in Aleppo left a UNESCO World Heritage Site in tatters as world leaders left the UN General Assembly meeting no closer to a resolution for the 19-month conflict.
- Another insider? Uniformed Afghan suicide bomber kills 14
After a heavy weekend of violence, a suicide bomber wearing a police uniform attacked NATO and Afghan forces, killing at least 14 on Monday in the southeastern town of Khost.
- Syrian rebels launch 'unprecedented' battle for control of Aleppo
The Free Syrian Army launched the offensive yesterday afternoon, opening up multiple fronts against the government throughout Aleppo in a bid to end a two-month stalemate.
- With double bombing in Damascus, is Syria's frontline moving to the capital?
Battles around Damascus have important implications for Syria's conflict, but Aleppo is likely to remain the central focus until either the rebels or government forces can sustain the upper hand.
- Twin bombings shake Syrian capital as UN debates how to end the fighting
Rebels said the explosions, felt throughout Damascus, hit Syria's military headquarters and caused dozens of casualties. But a regime spokesman claimed there was only 'material damage.'
- UN envoy to Syria: Assad thinks he can turn back the clock
UN envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi told diplomats in New York that the situation in Syria is dire, and described the conflict's particularly heavy toll on children.
- As China and Japan set meeting to ease island dispute, Taiwan steps into fray
Japan is sending a top diplomat to China for talks. But Taiwan is now sending ships to patrol the disputed region, threatening to further complicate things.
- Sweeping Pakistan: Wave of violent protests fueled by anti-Islam film
A third Pakistani was killed on Friday in the northwest city of Peshawar as violent crowds filled the streets of several cities on a day of government-sanctioned protests against an anti-Islam film.
- Street reaction to Charlie Hebdo cartoons muted, so far
Aside from isolated protests in Afghanistan and Iran, the response to publication of cartoons of the prophet Muhammad has been mild. But tomorrow could bring a larger reaction.
- Concerns mount as Japan, China island dispute shows no sign of easing
Twelve Chinese vessels have moved to the waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea to patrol and enforce the law, according to Chinese state media.