All Security Watch
- Syria shoots down a Turkish fighter jet
It's evidence of how tense the situation has grown along the Turkish border of war ravaged Syria. But early indications are a major escalation won't result.
- Defense makes final case for acquitting Norwegian mass killer Breivik
Today's closing arguments mark the end of months of testimony focused on whether Anders Behring Breivik was mentally ill when he killed 85 people last July. His lawyer says he was sane.
- CIA aiding Syria rebels: Usually, that's just the beginning
The US is wading into ever murkier waters in Syria with unpredictable consequences.
- Report: CIA aids in funneling arms to Syrian rebels
According to The New York Times, the CIA is helping to vet Syrian rebel groups for arms shipments paid for by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
- Man claiming Al Qaeda ties takes hostages in Toulouse, France
A man holding four people hostage in a Toulouse bank is demanding to speak to police about their fatal shooting of a French Muslim man who attacked a local Jewish school in March.
- Reactions to the Egyptian military's power grab
In the past week, Egypt dissolved parliament, gave a constitutional super-vote to its generals, and reinstated sweeping powers of detention over security concerns. A roundup of reactions.
- In Egypt, the army wins. Again.
Egypt's presidential election Sunday was supposed to be the culmination of a transition to democracy. Instead, the military junta made it clear it has no interest in a truly democratic transition.
- Russian effort to send helicopters to Syria hits snag
A British insurer revoked coverage from a Russian ship that was delivering helicopters to Syria. Without insurance, ships cannot enter port.
- Report: Russia sending naval ships to Syria in case of evacuation
Russia plans to dispatch two ships carrying marines to its naval base in Tartous, reportedly to protect Russian citizens and evacuate them if needed.
- Why the UN suspended ineffective observer mission in Syria
Citing the safety of unarmed observers, the UN has suspended its Syria monitoring effort. It's the first step toward crafting a new international approach.
- Thomas Friedman... for her!
A new bar has been set for internet parodies of the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman.
- Egypt's ruling junta consolidates its position
With parliament dissolved, a retired air force general and long-time Mubarak crony in a runoff for the presidency, and democracy activists in disarray, Egypt's ruling junta is in the catbird seat.
- Japan catches final fugitive in 1995 nerve gas attack
In 1995, members of the Aum Shinrikyo religious cult shook Japan when they released sarin nerve gas into the Tokyo subway system, killing 13 people and injuring thousands.
- Tehran's No. 1 demand for Iran nuclear talks in Moscow
In the buildup to next week's Iran nuclear talks in Moscow, Tehran has demanded that Western powers formally acknowledge its right to enrich uranium.
- Syria war drumbeat builds, but where is it leading?
Pundits from John Bolton to Nick Kristof are issuing calls to arms. But there's little regard for national interest, or the law of unintended consequences, in the urgings to act now.
- Car bombings hit Shiite pilgrimage, underscoring Iraq's sectarian divide
Sunni-Shiite tensions are high in Iraq, where Prime Minister Maliki's coalition government partners – particularly one Sunni bloc – accuse him of failing to share power.
- US: Syria plotting more massacres, but intervening would make it worse
At a State Department briefing yesterday, a reporter asked why the US would not intervene if it knew massacres were likely to occur. The response: 'Do you have a specific proposal in mind?'
- In bid for unity, Syrian opposition group picks Kurd to lead
The election of Abdelbaset Sieda to the presidency of the Syrian National Council is being held up as a sign that a post-Assad Syria would be a safe place for all minorities.
- World powers watch IAEA talks for signs of Iranian flexibility
Today's meeting between Iran and the IAEA to set up a framework to investigate a controversial Iranian military site is also seen as a warmup for Moscow talks later this month.
- Kofi Annan admits Syria plan failing, calls for international action
Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the UN's special envoy to Syria, essentially admitted his mediation efforts have failed in a speech at the UN and laid most of the blame at the feet of Bashar al-Assad.