Topic: Briefing
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Briefing
Chechnya: How a remote Russian republic became linked with terrorism
The main suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing are two brothers from Chechnya, a Russian republic that has been the scene of cyclical revolts and brutal crackdowns for the past 200 years.
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Briefing
Palestinian Prisoners' Day: Breaking down the controversyThis year's commemoration is particularly noteworthy because of two recent high-profile deaths in prison that drew tremendous outcry from Palestinians. The Monitor explains.
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Briefing
UN arms trade treaty: Will it receive US Senate approval?Why the new initiative is so controversial among US conservatives.
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Briefing
North Korean war talk: hot air or serious threat?Pyongyang has cut the last military hotline to the South and says it's ready to target US bases in Hawaii, Guam, and South Korea. So why is there no sign the North is really girding for war?
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Briefing
What's behind the bailout crisis in Cyprus?While appearing to be yet another victim of Europe's debt crisis, Cyprus is suffering in part due to unique characteristics including an oversized reliance on foreign depositors and a tiny economy.
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Briefing
Why is the US shifting its missile defense out of Europe?US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recently announced plans to cancel a planned US missile defense network in Europe, and instead beef up its interceptors in the Pacific.
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Briefing
Who is Pope Francis?How the 'outsider' status of Pope Francis and his frugal ways may portend a shake-up for the Catholic Church.
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Briefing
After the 'sequester,' now what?
$85 billion in across-the-board cuts to defense and social programs took effect March 1. The cuts must occur this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Here's how things look.
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Briefing
How dangerous are near-Earth asteroids? 5 key questions answered.
On Feb. 15, asteroid 2012 DA14, discovered a year ago, cleared Earth by a scant 17,200 miles. The same day, a smaller, unrelated asteroid that no one saw coming exploded 12 to 15 miles above Russia’s Chelyabinsk region. Events that day highlight the risk that near-Earth objects (NEOs) can pose – although to some extent, humans can counter them.
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Briefing
Why did North Korea explode a nuclear device?Despite - or perhaps because of - strong international pressure, North Korea conducted its most powerful nuclear test to date. Now analysts say that hopes for improved relations are on hold.
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Briefing
Roe v. Wade at 40: Six questions about abortion rights
On Tuesday, the United States marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the historic US Supreme Court decision that granted women the right to an abortion. Here is a look at the state of abortion rights in America today.
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Briefing
Where does Haiti stand three years after its 7.0 earthquake?
After billions of dollars in aid spent to help Haiti 'build back better' from its devastating earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010, hundreds of thousands are still without homes.
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Briefing
Idle No More: Canada's indigenous 'Occupy' movementIdle No More, a protest movement of Canada's First Nations native peoples, has been locking up the country with protests and blockades. Who are they, and what do they want?
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Briefing
A look at America's gun industryPer capita ownership of firearms in the US has doubled since 1968.
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Briefing
Fiscal deal will cost you: 8 tax changes
Here are eight tax changes under the 'fiscal cliff' deal that may hit your pocketbook.
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Briefing
US gun industry by the numbers
As the debate over gun control rages on, the firearms industry in the United States is thriving. Here are seven key figures.
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Briefing
Why Israeli settlements debate is heating up againCritics say the placement and size of a newly proposed Israeli build-out would doom a two-state deal.
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Briefing
Briefing: Catalonia's bid to breakaway from SpainAusterity's bite revives a long-running independence push for Spain's Catalonia. How likely is its success?
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Briefing
Who are the rebels in Goma and what do they want?M23 rebels have taken over a key city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Briefing
Petraeus scandal: Did anything illegal happen? Five questions so far.
An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has now called into question the private lives and careers of two of the nation’s top national-security officials. Here is an accounting of what is known so far.
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Briefing
What's the status of Egypt's Christians?The newly chosen Coptic pope finds his people in a perilous situation.
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Briefing
Israel pushes back on Palestinian bid for new UN statusThe Palestinians are seeking a global mandate for statehood at the United Nations. Israel warns the move would nullify the Oslo Accords.
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Briefing
Who is Abu Qatada and why is Britain unable to deport him?Britain released Islamist preacher Abu Qatada on bail Monday after a British court ruled he could not be extradited to Jordan.
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Briefing
Sudan's Bashir threatens Israel over alleged airstrikeSudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir vowed today to retaliate against Israel for a recent alleged airstrike. The Monitor explains the background of the dispute.
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Briefing
Four curious outcomes if the Electoral College ends in a tie
Here are four ways that a 269-to-269 tie in the Electoral College could play out in the 2012 presidential election.
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