All Security Watch
France intervenes to quell violence in Central African RepublicThe UN-sanctioned military operation will put 1,200 troops on the ground by the weekend, and follows months of clashes in the increasingly unstable country.听- 'Libya's best friend': American teacher in Benghazi killed while joggingRonnie Smith, a chemistry teacher from Austin, Texas, was shot just steps from the burnt-out US diplomatic compound in Benghazi where Ambassador Stevens was killed.
Massive NSA cellphone-tracking program snares some Americans, tooThe NSA's CO-TRAVELER program collects 5 billion cellphone records a day in an effort to find terrorists overseas. Data from Americans are collected 'incidentally.'
Military bear brunt of Yemen terror attacksAl Qaeda's local franchise is suspected of carrying out a brazen attack on Thursday against Yemen's heavily guarded Ministry of Defense.听
Chemical weapons: How Pentagon plans to destroy Syria's stockpile at seaIf the US offer to help destroy Syria's chemical weapons is accepted, a ship being retrofitted with portable decontamination units in Virginia will be sent to do the job. 'Nothing will be dumped at sea,' a Pentagon official said.
Does major attack in Yemen point to Al Qaeda?An attack on the ministry of defense today killed at least 20 people. No group has claimed responsibility, but Al Qaeda militants are increasingly targeting Yemen's military.听
Hijacked radioactive material found in Mexico. How dangerous was it?The cobalt-60 reportedly was found near the hijacked truck it was on but outside its protective, lead-lined container. The IAEA called the highly radioactive material 'extremely dangerous.'
Who should be at table for Syria peace talks? UN seeks longer invite list.Preparing the invitation list to next month's peace conference on Syria is a ticklish matter for the UN's special envoy. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia are influential, on opposite sides, in Syria's civil war. But the US has conditions for including Tehran.
US-China spy games in storm-hit Philippines? Pacific power play simmers.As the Pentagon forges ahead with its strategic shift toward Asia, the Philippines is likely to be important for US national security efforts in the region 鈥� particularly in light of China鈥檚 recent declaration of an 'air defense zone.'
Hezbollah blames Israel for commander's death in LebanonShiite militant group Hezbollah said Israel was behind the assassination on Wednesday of Hussein al-Laqis, described as a senior commander of the group. 听
Why did North Korea's Kim oust his longtime mentor?Kim Jong-un has reportedly purged his uncle, who guided the young leader through his first two turbulent years in power.听
Powerful North Korean official purged from key role: reportsThe reports from South Korea's intelligence services could not yet be independently verified. But they have kicked off a debate about Kim Jong-un's grip on power.
Cyber-security puzzle: Who is sending Internet traffic on long, strange trips?The Internet traffic of governments and financial companies is being quietly and momentarily diverted to overseas locations, cyber-security experts say. Who is hijacking traffic and why is it a mystery?
Biden's Asia challenge: Can he reassure US allies without inflaming passions?The declaration by China of an air defense zone in the East China Sea has sparked concerns among America's Asian allies over US resolve in the region that Biden is seeking to allay.
Bold Boko Haram attack deals sharp blow to Nigerian Air ForceMilitants attacked targets in Maiduguri, which had been quiet for six months under emergency rule. The Monitor correspondent offers a detailed account after a visit to northeast Nigeria goes all wrong.听
Syrian Army goes all-in to take back strategic highwayThe Syrian Army wants to restore full regime control to the Qalamoun area, and is fiercely shelling rebels whose presence there threatens a key link to other areas.
Ukrainian protests flare up over pivot away from EuropeHundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Kiev this weekend, calling for the resignation of President Yanukovych after the government abandoned an EU trade deal.- China sends warplanes into East China Sea airzoneChina's decision to send in warplanes is likely a bid to enforce the new air-defense zone after the US, Japan and South Korea听all flew planes through without any response.
If sanctions worked with Iran, will they work with 'rogue' nations?What made sanctions effective in Iran may not work as well in other nations, where a recent change in the political order and a mandate to forge new relationships and ease economic pain do not exist.听
Afghans are living longer? Yes, but not thanks to NATOThe claim that Western intervention in Afghanistan has dramatically improved life expectancy is a surprisingly durable myth.
