Topic: Afghanistan
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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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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War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term.
The threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program is the most urgent example of the foreign-policy challenges that face President Obama in his second term. Here are four others.
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5 national security issues next president must tackle
President Obama and Mitt Romney battle over foreign policy issues in the third and final presidential debate. No matter who wins the presidential election November 6, Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama will have to confront five urgent national security issues in the first weeks of his term.
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Foreign affairs: 23 new books I wish Obama and Romney would read
In preparation for the upcoming presidential debate on foreign policy, check out these 23 books that offer the kind of nuance and context mostly overlooked during a campaign.
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The Malala moment: 6 Pakistani views on the girl shot by the Taliban
The shooting of 14-year-old Malala Yousufzai by a Taliban gunman has shocked Pakistan and led to some extraordinary writing in the press on how Islamic radicalism is enabled. On the back foot for years, liberals are getting a new hearing against extremist religious parties, the powerful military, and a populist anti-US politician.
All Content
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The Monitor's View: Are Americans ready to deal with Syria's chemical weapons?
On Monday, Obama strongly warned Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad not to use chemical weapons as rebels advance on Damascus. What is the national interest in threatening US action? Obama must sort out the moral purpose.
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Terrorism & Security
And the most corrupt nation this year is.... (+video)It's a tie between Afghanistan, North Korea, and Somalia. Elsewhere, bankrupt Greece, one-party China, and various 'Arab Spring' nations stand out in Transparency International's annual rankings.
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Iran lawmaker affirms Tehran has US drone – from the CIA, perhaps?
The US Navy has denied it's missing any ScanEagle drones. But Iran claims to have evidence of the drone. An Iranian lawmaker suggests that maybe the CIA, instead of the Pentagon, is missing a spy drone.
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Opinion: Threat of chemical warfare in Syria means it's time for US, NATO no-fly zone
The threat that Bashar al-Assad may use chemical weapons against opposition forces in Syria means it is time for President Obama and America's NATO allies to intervene and establish a no-fly zone. That's a far better option than directly arming the divided rebel forces.
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Chapter & Verse
More sad news on 'Three Cups of Tea' with death of co-author David Oliver RelinDavid Oliver Relin's family said that Relin was hurt, emotionally and financially, by the controversy over fabrications in 'Three Cups of Tea,' the book he co-authored with Greg Mortenson.
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A day without violence
A Christian Science perspective: No violent crime took place last Monday in New York city. What can be done to nurture this progress?
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Suicide bombers attack US base in Afghanistan for hours
The Taliban attackers and at least five Afghans were killed at the air base in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
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With military's push, biofuels can grow
US Senate voted Wednesday to restore the Defense Department's ability to buy biofuels. As the largest petroleum user in the world, the US military says its dependence on oil is a national security threat.
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Bradley Manning to testify again Friday over 'harsh' conditions in jail
In his first public comments since 2010, Bradley Manning testified that the security measures included forcing him to surrender all of his clothes at night and being locked up 23 hours a day. Military prosecutors will question Manning Friday.
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Top Picks: Elegantly bound classic books, a Cold War miniseries, and more
National Geographic showcases some big cats, Nokia does Apple one better by offering clear directions, and more.
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Opinion: Fiscal cliff: Republicans on wrong track if they help Obama raise taxes on the rich
Higher taxes won’t much improve US finances and would likely wreck the economy. But as fiscal cliff talks intensify, a small group of Republican senators are prepared to help President Obama make the rich pay more – facts notwithstanding. A better approach: Spur private-sector growth.
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Sandy recovery claims mount. How much will a divided Congress pay? (+video)
Congress may be wrangling over the 'fiscal cliff,' but budget experts are confident that both parties will agree to provide billions in Sandy recovery aid sought by Northeastern governors.
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Opinion: Obama must offer a 'grand deal' with Iran on its nuclear program
The current trajectory is headed toward a violent endgame, writes this former spokesman for Iran's nuclear negotiators. The Obama administration needs a new engagement policy with Iran that brings an end to 33 years of a failed 'diplomacy plus pressure' policy dubbed as 'dual-track.'
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In Egypt and Tunisia, Salafis move from prisons to parliaments
After the Arab Spring uprisings, it's inevitable that Salafis will help steer the evolution of North Africa's new governments. The challenge is to make sure they do so peacefully.
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Why Obama is standing with Egypt's President Morsi
The Obama administration – as the US did for years with Hozni Mubarak — wants to separate President Mohammed Morsi's domestic political maneuvers from his role as a Middle East mediator. The US needs Morsi as a peace broker between Hamas and Israel.
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Petraeus scandal: Jill Kelley goes on the attack
In an attempt to recover her reputation following her involvement in the Petraeus scandal, Jill Kelley (through her attorneys and publicist) released new information on Tuesday. Among the items released were a cease-and-desist letter to a New York businessman, a complaint to the Florida bar about a Tampa attorney and a letter to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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Backchannels
Syria's Jabhat al-Nusra militia looks pretty seriousSome eye-catching video shows a disciplined jihadi militia on the move in eastern Syria after ransacking a regime artillery base.
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ACLU files lawsuit over policy barring women from ground combat
The civil rights group argued in a legal complaint filed in federal court in Northern California that a military policy to bar women from combat roles on the basis of gender was unconstitutional.
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In Pakistan, big perks and big risks to being a journalist
A bomb was found under the car of prominent journalist Hamid Mir, highlighting the difficulties facing journalists in Pakistan.
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Wikileaks GI Bradley Manning to argue harsh detention merits release
Pfc. Bradley Manning was expected to testify about his treatment during a pretrial hearing set to begin Tuesday and run through Sunday in a military court at Fort Meade.
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Opinion: Make #GivingTuesday a US tradition like Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The holiday season starts with one day to give thanks followed by two days (Black Friday and Cyber Monday) for bargain hunting. Today, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals are coming together to launch #GivingTuesday – a day to celebrate the great American tradition of giving.
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Focus
Will Mali be Africa's Afghanistan?Mali was hit by two successive shocks to its system this year – with the north seized by rebels and a coup in the capital – leaving its government fragile and the international community mulling intervention.
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Global first: Brit visits all 201 states without flying
Graham Hughes says Iraq and Afghanistan were easy. Islands like Nauru were the real challenges.
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Opinion: Mali security nightmare: Why foreign intervention alone won't stop the chaos
A divided Mali could become a haven for armed groups and a security nightmare for the whole of West Africa and far beyond. But foreign military intervention alone will be insufficient to address the turmoil. External troops will need the help of local and regional civil society organizations.
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Pentagon vs. Al Qaeda: Panetta hints at shifting US tactics
In a little-noticed policy speech, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says Al Qaeda has been adapting to the US offensive against its leadership, requiring the Pentagon to adopt new tactics.
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