All Backchannels
As Obama gropes for a strategy, a quest for moderates in SyriaExpect strong words from President Obama on confronting evil and bringing Islamic State militants to justice. But where are the capable allies and聽plug-and-play moderate rebels?
Zawahiri's Al Qaeda in India declaration. Dangerous or desperate?Core Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri is looking over his shoulder, not for US Seals, but at the more brutal and successful self-styled Islamic State.
Sotloff murder sparks outrage and condemnation, but should it drive policy?The self-declared Islamic State has released a video showing the beheading of a second US journalist. The US has few easy options to navigate a complex, multi-front war in Iraq and Syria. 聽
Are the US, France, and UK lining up to support the 'terrorist' PKK in Iraq?The PKK - a Kurdish separatist group based in Turkey that the US has placed on its 'terrorist list' 鈥� has been in the thick of the fight against the Islamic State in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Could arming the 'moderate' Syrian rebels have changed history?That's a popular claim. But there's not much evidence to support it.
In Afghan election dispute, enter the DC lobbyistsAfghanistan presidential hopeful Ashraf Ghani is spending nearly $150,000 a month on lobbying in DC amid a stuttering election audit.
Nouri al-Maliki has lost his job, but it doesn't really matterIraq's president has nominated a replacement for Prime Minister Maliki, who is unpopular at home and abroad. But Iraq's problems go much deeper.
For Israel in Gaza, a war of choice and an uncertain outcomeViewing the enemy as a monster only motivated by hate 鈥� and only capable of responding to maximum force 鈥� can lead to error.
Israel, Gaza, morality 鈥� and who started itA black and white approach to the conflict isn't likely to yield better outcomes for either Israelis and Palestinians.
Iraq's 'Islamic State' is quite happy to rule by terrorThe Islamic State's game plan is to use massive doses of savagery and terror to get what it wants in Iraq. So far, it's working.
The importance of Ben Gurion airport to IsraelAfter a reported Gaza rocket strike near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, the US suspended commercial flights to and from Tel Aviv.聽
Gaza militants' rockets: Fewer, less accurate than last Hamas-Israel conflictThough the Iron Dome interceptor system has been credited for the minimal damage Israel has suffered in the current conflict, the threat from Gaza appears to be smaller than in 2012.
Iraq is closer to forming a government but its military remains in tattersA new government without a capable military won't mean much. And it doesn't appear that Iraq has one at the moment.
Did Kerry just ditch America's vision for Afghanistan?A positive step for Afghanistan is brokered by John Kerry. The key feature? Giving up on longstanding US political strategy for Afghanistan.
Indonesia just dodged a bullet. Or did it?It appears Joko Widodo has won Indonesia's presidency over former general and Suharto stalwart Prabowo Subianto. But that doesn't mean Indonesia is on easy street.
US nabs alleged Russian hacker 鈥撀燼nd Kremlin cries foulThe US Department of Justice arrested a Russian in Guam for involvement in a hacking and stolen credit card ring. Moscow says he was framed.聽
The Israeli-Palestinian revenge cycle, take twoHatred, anger, and desires for revenge are being driven ever higher by the dynamic of unequal violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Afghanistan's presidential election results are in and the trouble may be about to startPreliminary results for Afghanistan's presidential election appear to show Ashraf Ghani won in a landslide. But his defeated opponent is unlikely to accept the result.
The Kurdish push for independence is a big problem for BaghdadIraqi Kurdistan is moving ahead with independence plans. With Kurds also holding an important swing vote in Iraq's parliament, this is a problem. A big one.
What did $7 billion spent on opium eradication in Afghanistan buy? More opium.Opium production and heroin addiction are soaring in Afghanistan.
