All Security Watch
- Iran convenes conference on Syria, vowing to preserve the 'axis of resistance'
Iran, largely isolated from the West and a steadfast ally of Syria's President Assad, has a lot to lose if the regime in Damascus falls.
- Egypt airstrikes in Sinai kill 20 'terrorists' in reprisal for attacks on military posts
The Aug. 5 attack on a border post in the Sinai has spurred an Egyptian military crackdown on the growing militant activity in the Sinai peninsula, which poses a challenge to Egypt's new leader.
- With 16 Egyptian soldiers murdered, Sinai is front and center for President Morsi
The murder of 16 Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai peninsula highlights long-simmering problems there. And now it's up to Mohamed Morsi and Egypt's politically powerful military to deal with it.
- Rebels, observers dispute importance of Syrian prime minister's defection
Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Farid Hijab has defected from the Assad regime, but there have still been no defections among Alawite members of government, which would be the more telling sign.
- Sinai attack presents Egypt's Morsi with first security challenge
A militant attack on Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula yesterday left at least 16 people dead, the latest violent incident along the sensitive border with Israel and the Gaza Strip.
- Reuters hacked by pro-Assad propagandists again, this time on Twitter
After fake articles were planted on Reuters website by supporters of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on Friday, hackers briefly seized control overnight of a Reuters Twitter account.
- Ideas. Big, glib, unsupported ideas
Evgeny Morozov on the cult of 'TED.'
- Aleppo on the verge of full-scale battle as UN vote on Syria looms
The UN warned that the long-building battle for Aleppo is 'about to start' in earnest. Kofi Annan blasted UN Security Council inaction on Syria as he stepped down as peace envoy yesterday.
- Battle for Aleppo enters third week as Syrian rebels hold on
Syrian rebel forces are believed to be far outgunned by the Army, but they've so far held off regime efforts to overrun the city.
- Worrying signs of lawlessness in Libya
Seven Iranian Red Crescent members were abducted in downtown Benghazi yesterday. Today there were bomb blasts and a jail break.
- In Syria, hardening sides, and risks of an even bloodier civil war
A new report argues the Syrian civil war is going to get a lot worse unless the country's rebels take a series of difficult and improbable steps.
- Assad honors Syrian Army as it faces defections, and existential threat
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad commemorated the 67th anniversary of the Syrian Army, which is locked in street battles with rebels in once pro-Assad city of Aleppo.
- Why the Taliban are happy that the US and Pakistan patched things up
Pakistan has reopened the trucking routes NATO relies on for getting weapons and other goods into Afghanistan. That has US generals and the Taliban smiling.
- From Iran to China, Romney's comments in Israel earn him international criticism
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's remarks have raised international concerns that, if elected, he would bring fresh instability to the world stage.
- Is Syria's Bashar al-Assad on the ropes?
It depends on who you ask.
- Iraqi officials still being killed in large numbers
In at least one city. And that's far from the only echo of the old Iraq in the new one.
- Termites: Altruistic, poisonous suicide bombers
It's not just for humans anymore.
- As Syrian government gains ground in Aleppo, it loses its people
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta's warnings that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad risks losing his country because of his brutal tactics appear to be panning out.
- US drought already rippling out into the world
Scuffles in Jakarta markets between tofu producers and soybean traders may be a taste of things to come.
- Syria's regime, rebel troops amass in Aleppo for 'mother of all battles'
Few expect Syrian rebels to be the victors in the battle for Aleppo, but just putting up a fight in this strategic city will send a strong message to the regime.