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President Obama's State of the Union address full text

The text of the State of the Union address as prepared for delivery by President Barack Obama, and provided by the press office of the White House.
Lawmakers to get drone documents ahead of Brennan hearing

President Obama has instructed the Justice Department to hand over classified documents explaining the administration's rationale relating to drone strikes on American citizens abroad. The documents will be released ahead of a Thursday confirmation hearing for John Brennan, Obama's nominee for CIA director.
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.
Egypt's new Coptic pope faces charged political scene

Amid rampant complaints of discrimination against Coptic Christians in Egypt, Pope Tawadros II becomes the 118th Coptic leader.
Did Al Qaeda assassinate a US Embassy security official in Yemen? (+video)

A masked gunman killed a Yemeni security official who was investigating last month's attack on the US Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen.
Yemeni defense minister unhurt after deadly bomb attack (+video)

13 people, including part of the minister's security detail, were killed when a car bomb exploded as the minister's motorcade was driving by in the Yemeni capital.
Opinion: America's way out of dependence on Pakistan: Iran

America’s dependence on Pakistan is a key source of regional instability. The only way out is to find an efficient alternative supply route for NATO supplies into Afghanistan. The Chabahar Road through Iran provides that alternative – if Washington will consider its benefits.
Keep Calm Good Reads: Syria's conflict, hero journalists, and the power of parents

A tribute to war correspondent Marie Colvin, a few tips about Syria from Lawrence of Arabia, and one Indian woman's fight against sexual harassment top this week's list of stories worth reading.
Sorry, Iran: UAE opens pipeline around Strait of Hormuz

The new pipeline bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point for Middle East oil that Iran has threatened to block.
Cover Story US legacy in Afghanistan: What 11 years of war has accomplished

The lives of four Afghans provide a lens on how America's longest conflict has changed a nation – and the divisions and dangers that persist.
Is State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite, but propaganda war is fierce.

Despite early reports, a State Department program to shoot down Al Qaeda propaganda online is not a hack. But the efforts are having an impact, Secretary Clinton says.
Terrorism & Security Yemen vows to defy Al Qaeda's intimidation campaign

As Yemen celebrated a national holiday with a parade in Sanaa today, President Hadi said that recent attacks, including a bombing yesterday that killed more than 90 people, would not derail his government's campaign against terrorism.
Bin Laden letters paint picture of al-Qaeda at its worst

The seventeen documents released by the Obama administration are calculated to highlight the President's foreign-policy successes.
US teacher killing: How religiously open is Yemen?

Al Qaeda-linked militants say they killed Joel Shrum for proselytizing. The country has seen other attacks on Christians, but also has Catholic sisters working openly.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: movie review

'Salmon fishing in the Yemen,' based on a satirical novel, manages to lose the satire in damp whimsy despite a good cast that includes Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, and Kristin Scott Thomas.
Africa Rising: First it was China, now the Gulf discovers the African market

A decade ago, many African economies seemed locked in stagnation. Now they are booming, and Gulf investors are moving in to take advantage of the growth.
Elephants in Arabia? Scientists find prehistoric footprints.

The fossilized gigantic footprints detected in the Arabian dessert belong to a herd of elephants, scientists say. The seven-million-year-old discovery marks the world’s oldest evidence on how these ancient mammals lived.
US to seek life sentence for underwear bomber, saying he remains a threat

The sentencing hearing for the so-called underwear bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, takes place Thursday. Prosecutors argue that he remains willing to carry out another martyrdom mission.
The Monitor's View: Arab Spring justice – but a free pass for Yemen's Saleh

Under a plan backed by Obama and Saudi Arabia, Yemen's interim cabinet agreed Sunday to amnesty for President Ali Abdullah Saleh in return for him stepping down. But democracy can't take root without rule of law.
Nigeria dispatches troops to north to stop Boko Haram attacks

The Christmas Day attack on a church is only the latest in string of attacks by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram, who has given Christians living in the north three days to leave the region.
Getting the Strait of Hormuz straight: an FAQ

Iran has caused a stir with its threat this week to close down the Strait of Hormuz if sanctions were imposed on Iranian oil exports. Here’s why this small body of water generates so much world attention.
Frankincense in decline. Fewer gifts will grow on trees.

Frankincense production could fall by half in 15 years. New study of the fragrant resin finds that frankincense-producing trees are in jeopardy.
NYC police arrest 'lone wolf' in terror bomb plot

New York City police have taken a man into custody in association with an alleged bomb plot where US soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were targeted.
Uncharted 3 review roundup

Uncharted 3 reviews pop from cover as the highly anticipated game swings onto television screens this week. So how does the latest installment in the Uncharted franchise stack up?
What is Somalia's Al Shabab?

The international community has more questions than answers about the Somali militant group Al Shabab, the target of Kenya's military incursion into Somalia. But they know how it affords food for its troops – and it's not from piracy.