Topic: Afghanistan

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Top 10 states for working moms

Mother's Day companies? That's what you could call workplaces that help moms meet their family commitments. Those companies can be located anywhere. But some states do better than others in mandating a level of standards beyond the federal minimum in the form of paid family leave, job protection, and “right to nurse” laws. In honor of Mother’s Day, here are the Top 10 states that best support new working mothers, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. Can you guess which state gets the highest marks?
Briefing
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever

On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
Who are the Taliban and what do they want? 5 key points

While Pakistani and Afghan insurgents often get labeled as the 'Taliban,' in reality there are several groups that often act independently and have distinct command structures, ideologies, and strategies.
Brazil's President Rousseff meets with Obama: 5 topics for talks

As the two largest economies in the Western Hemisphere, Brazil and the US have a lot of shared interests, but there are still areas of contention. Here are 5 possible topics on today's presidential agenda:
Afghanistan: 5 areas of concern after the US leaves

The withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan will have profound, direct effects on the country's security, economy, and society. Here are five areas that are likely to see an impact.

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Terrorism & Security
Arms dealer Viktor Bout, blamed for arming Al Qaeda, receives 25 years in prison (+video)

An angry Moscow has vowed to repatriate Russian arms merchant Viktor Bout, whom a US court convicted of conspiring to kill American citizens.
Keep Calm
Good Reads: Weighing the tactics in battles over drones, hackers, and abortion rights

A roundup of some of the week's most insightful articles from around the Internet.
Chapter & Verse
Greg Mortenson must pay $1 million to charity

A Montana Attorney General’s office investigation found significant mismanagement of funds by 'Three Cups of Tea' author Greg Mortenson.
To the barricades? French rally behind far-left candidate's fighting words

Jean Luc Mélenchon has suddenly become the No. 3 French presidential candidate, whipping up crowds with his robust leftist rhetoric in a tough election season.
Expert Q&A: Who is Hafiz Saeed and why the $10 million bounty?

For a clearer picture of who Mr. Saeed is, the Monitor talked with a noted scholar and author on the region.
Pakistani militant taunts US: 'I will be in Lahore tomorrow'

The day after the US announced a $10 million bounty on him, Hafiz Mohammad Saeed gave a press conference near Pakistan's military headquarters.
Obama must reset relations with Russia along economic lines

When Vladimir Putin arrives in Camp David for the G8 summit in May, President Obama must be ready to lay out the framework for a new reset. With Russian membership in the WTO, the US and Europe could create incentives for greater rule of law in the economy and elsewhere in Russia.
Terrorism & Security
France arrests 10 suspected militants in latest post-Toulouse raids

While President Nicolas Sarkozy denies the crackdown on alleged Islamist militants in France has anything to do with last month's shootings in Toulouse, today's raids were the second series since the incident. 
Terrorism & Security
US tightens screws on Pakistan with $10 million bounty

Yesterday the US announced a $10 million bounty for Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the leader of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba who lives openly in Pakistan.
Keep Calm
Good Reads: Is the US actually in decline, or just taking a breather?

A roundup of some of the week's most insightful articles from around the Internet. 
Osama bin Laden widows: Will they reveal more about life in Pakistan?

Osama bin Laden widows: During her interrogation, the Yemeni widow raised questions about how bin Laden was able to remain undetected in Pakistan. A Pakistan court ruled Monday that Bin Laden's three widows and their children will be deported to their home countries.
Ron Paul: Most Americans agree with him on Afghanistan pullout

Ron Paul has yet to win a primary or caucus election, but on one thing he has the support of most Americans: The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan sooner rather than later.
Ornate, but not lavish: Another bin Laden home located in Pakistan

The emerging details of Osama bin Laden's life on the run raise fresh questions over how the Al Qaeda chief was able to evade detection for years in Pakistan.
Officials considered burying the remains of some 9/11 victims at sea

New details from an investigation into how Dover Air Force Base handled the remains of some 9/11 victims show an internal debate over how to classify the body parts.
France presidential elections: the candidates challenging Sarkozy

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is fighting for reelection in the April 22 presidential poll. Here are the top 5 presidential candidates.
Osama bin Laden widow: Two bin Laden children born in Pakistan hospital

Osama bin Laden fathered four children while he was a fugitive in five locations in Pakistan. Two of bin Laden's children were born in Pakistan government hospitals. Did Pakistan officials know where bin Laden was hiding?
Global News Blog
Help for land-mine victims in Kabul

After three decades of war, Afghanistan is littered with land mines. A nonprofit employs disabled land-mine victims to make demining equipment, and funds rehabilitation clinics.
Why India is trying to expand trade with Iran

The creation of Pakistan cut India off from longstanding trade routes to Central Asia and beyond. India sees Iran as a way to reconnect, despite US sanctions.
Whether Obama or Romney, next US leader faces severe foreign challenges

Whoever wins the US presidency – be it likely GOP nominee Mitt Romney or President Obama – faces an array of foreign-policy challenges that may be as daunting as those of the cold war. For starters, they involve China, Russia, the Arab world, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan.
JetBlue pilot: Are some jobs too stressful?

JetBlue pilot behavior refocuses attention on workplace stress. JetBlue pilot had given no previous indication of trouble, but aviation has seen bizarre outbursts lately.
Why Algeria refused to let French gunman to be buried there

Mohamed Merah will be buried in a Muslim cemetery in France Thursday. His father wanted him buried in Algeria.
Afghan shooting spree: What did Sgt. Robert Bales's commander know?

The top US commander in Afghanistan says the shooting spree in which Robert Bales has been charged, as well as a recent Quran burning and a video of Marines urinating on dead Taliban are all examples of a failure of good oversight from commanders.
Hundreds of Afghan women imprisoned for 'moral crimes,' says new report

But the response of local journalists at Human Rights Watch press conference shows how tough it may be to persuade Afghans to end criminalization of 'crimes' that include fleeing abuse.
Qatar builds a brand as mediator

Flush with cash and fancy hotels, Qatar has hosted representatives from the West Bank, Gaza, Darfur, and Libya in the past year alone.
Russia to Romney: How could we be your No. 1 enemy?

Mitt Romney's comment has astounded Russians, who acknowledge mixed relations with the US but point to Russia's integration with the international community as proof that they are not foe No. 1.