All Backchannels
Obama cancels Asia trip: A catastrophe or just practical?Given all the big issues with Asia these days, it's certainly not good. But the government shutdown would have limited any hope for breakthroughs.
The cost of the Nairobi mall attackThe slaughter at Nairobi's Westgate Mall is more than just a tragedy of the moment. If Al Shabab gets its way, it could cost far more lives going forward.
In parts of US and Israel, Iran's Ahmadinejad is sorely missedWhy will his absence be mourned as new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gears up for his UN debut?
Syrian rebels and chemical weapons: a disinformation operation?The strange tale of an effort to claim that Syria's rebels were responsible for a chemical weapons attack near Damascus.
Syria's rebels: Lots of Islamists, but what does that mean?An attempt at breaking down who Syria's rebels are, and what they want.- The wisdom of Maxwell Smart on the NSA and SyriaThe '60s TV super-spy and his boss on trust, security theater, and protecting secrets.
Who are Syria's rebels?It's important to remember that the source of information about Syria's rebels is as important as the information itself.
Syrian chemical weapons claims: How strong is the evidence?Depends on who you ask.
Egypt press crackdown and propagandaThe information wars are heating up in Egypt.
Slam dunks, weapons of mass destruction 鈥� and SyriaWe're hearing questions we never heard in 2003.
Are chemical weapons particularly heinous?If chemical weapons were used in Syria last week, that's awful - but far less awful than the overall toll of the war so far.
More thugs and guns on the streets of CairoSome Muslim Brotherhood supporters have taken up weapons, and the Egyptian military and police are heavily armed. But now, it seems, they have company.
Battles across Egypt, and alarmed comparisons to Syria and IraqComparisons of Egypt to regional nations that have witnessed ruinous civil wars are premature 鈥� but worth noting.
How the Egyptian military may see unfolding eventsA return to long-term military management of politics has a certain charm for Egypt's generals. Here's why.
Kerry tempers earlier praise of Egypt's militaryThe US secretary of State initially hailed Egypt's military as 'restorers of democracy,' but after more than 500 were killed in Cairo yesterday, he is changing his tune.聽
A massacre in Cairo and a failure of US diplomacy in EgyptThe US strained mightily to avoid calling Morsi's ouster a coup and to continue military aid. Egypt's military answered back today.
As military makes its move, forget about liberal democracy in EgyptThe Egyptian military's violent dispersal of a Muslim Brotherhood protest camp in Cairo overnight left scores dead and has set the stage for a bloodier period in Egypt.
Kerry: The settlements are illegitimate - and not a problem for peace talksThe Israeli government's latest settlement expansion, just days before another round of peace talks, is nothing to worry about, according to Secretary Kerry.
Jihadis claim responsibility for failed Israel attack, but did they really do it?It's unlikely that the little-known jihadi group could launch a rocket attack on a heavily fortified Israeli town, but that won't stop them from claiming it.聽
Obama calls for outside review of NSA intelligence collectionPresident Barack Obama bowed to public concerns over US government data collection today.
