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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 will carry out Obama's Afghanistan exit plan? Three new guys.

It will be the duty of three men, all new in their roles, to carry out Obama's plan to wind down the war in Afghanistan. Here are some clues into what priorities these three defense leaders might set and a look at the particular skills each brings to the task of managing America’s longest war.
In Pictures: Memorial Day: remembering the fallen
In Pictures: The US Marine Corps
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 12/30

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Cover Story
Veterans' new fight: reviving inner-city America

How some veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are helping turn around a drug-infested neighborhood of Baltimore – and themselves.
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.
Backchannels
One year after Osama bin Laden's killing, Al Qaeda is in tatters

While his murderous ideology persists in pockets of the Middle East and beyond, Al Qaeda as it was understood after Sept. 11 has failed.
Dozens killed in Iraq bomb blasts Thursday

Multiple bomb explosions across the country also injured over 100 people.
Backchannels
Weapons flowing from Iraqi Sunnis to Syria's rebels?

So says a fairly credible CNN report.
Terrorism & Security
After UN condemns Syria abuses, Assad rains artillery down on Homs

Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad redoubled his assault on the city of Homs after a symbolic UN General Assembly vote calling on him to step down.
Free Syrian Army: Better tool for toppling Syria's Assad than UN?

As Arab and European nations push for a new resolution at the UN Security Council tomorrow, the Free Syrian Army is emerging as an increasingly influential player. But it needs weapons, money.
Marine demoted to private to end Haditha trial. Did military justice work?

A pretrial agreement means Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, the last defendant in the Haditha trial, will not serve any time in prison for his role in the killing of 24 Iraqis in 2005.
Backchannels
Marines urinating on the dead? This is war.

The video of US marines urinating on dead Taliban fighters has shocked many. But the dehumanizing of the enemy was much worse back in the day.
As Syria unravels, prices soar for guns, grenades, and RPGs

The cost of an AK-47 has nearly doubled, from $1,200 to $2,100, since the Syrian uprising began in March. The armed opposition says weapons are necessary to hasten the fall of Assad's regime.
Syria isn't Libya: Obama must consider bolder intervention

Before the calls come to commit US forces to an intervention in Syria, the Obama administration must take a hard look at what happened in Libya. The politically safe, low-risk, low-reward intervention in Libya shouldn’t be repeated in Syria.
Backchannels
Death comes again to Iraq's 'Mother of all Battles' mosque

The Baghdad mosque, where 28 people were killed in a suicide bombing Sunday, is tied to some of the biggest failures, and a few of the successes, of post-Saddam Iraq.
Syria defiant despite increased regional pressure

Turkey's foreign minister pushed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad today to end the violence. But Syria, which launched more assaults today, has rarely yielded to such pressure in the past.
Who will carry out Obama's Afghanistan exit plan? Three new guys.

It will be the duty of three men, all new in their roles, to carry out Obama's plan to wind down the war in Afghanistan. Here are some clues into what priorities these three defense leaders might set and a look at the particular skills each brings to the task of managing America’s longest war.
Robert Gates: Defense Secretary's exit interview

Robert Gates will retire this month as the US Defense Secretary. In his 45-year career, he's served under eight presidents. In a Newsweek interview, Gates discusses Hilary Clinton, Osama bin Laden's death, and emerging US isolationism.
New Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri: Do his flaws diminish group's threat?

Intelligence analysts say Ayman al-Zawahiri, the successor to Osama bin Laden, is disliked in Al Qaeda as an irritable micromanager, but he's also a skilled military tactician and should not be discounted.
In Pictures: Memorial Day: remembering the fallen
Backchannels
Tunisian protests and Egyptian self-immolations

What I'm reading this morning.
Killing of Iraq police chief highlights security struggles as US draws down

The suicide attack that murdered an Iraq police chief today is a sign that political violence remains. But such attacks are unlikely to change US plans to leave by the end of 2011.
Donald Marron
The economics of Al-Qaeda in Iraq

Where does the money trail lead, for Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI)?
Suicide bombs in Iraq kill 14 in first big attack since government formed

Twin suicide bomb struck outside government offices in western Iraq on Monday morning, killing 14 people in the deadliest attacks since the new government was announced last week.
Pop Smoke? A Marine and his fight for Iraq's $30,000 donkey.

A retired Marine colonel wants to bring Smoke the donkey from Iraq to Nebraska to work with the children of soldiers who have been killed or wounded.
Terrorism & Security
CIA ignored Jordanian intelligence before suicide bombing in Khost, Afghanistan

Jordanian intelligence has been crucial in the past, but its warnings were ignored before an Al Qaeda attack on a CIA base last year, according to the US spy agency.
US troops still forced to bolster Iraqi forces in battle

Far from merely 'advising and assisting' Iraqi forces, as the Obama administration has described their new role, US troops are still needed to battle insurgents, as evidenced in three recent incidents in different parts of Iraq.
Al Qaeda in Iraq targets Baghdad’s developing police force

The Iraqi Army is gradually handing responsibility for Baghdad security to Iraq's developing police force – a transition Al Qaeda in Iraq is exploiting with increased attacks.