Topic: David Petraeus

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'Zero Dark Thirty': Top 3 controversies from the Osama bin Laden film

"Zero Dark Thirty," which tells the story of the hunt and capture of Osama bin Laden, is already garnering critical accolades – and plenty of criticism, too. Here are the top three controversies currently surrounding the film.
Blasphemy riots: 6 examples around the world

Many Muslims consider any depiction of the prophet to be forbidden, and Islamic teachings call for handling the Quran with respect. Incidents of both intentional and unintentional disrespect have occasionally prompted protests and violence around the world. Here are six examples:
Top 4 threats against America: the good and bad news

America’s top spy chiefs and intelligence experts come together every year to share their best guesses about the biggest threats that will face the country in the year ahead. Here are the top four pieces of good and bad news to come out of the annual threat-assessment hearing in Congress Tuesday.
Five ways 9/11 has transformed the US military
Who will carry out Obama's Afghanistan exit plan? Three new guys.

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Afghanistan: Why don't we leave now?

The rise in attacks by Afghan forces against Western troops is threatening US-Afghan military cooperation – a key reason to stay until 2014. The trend could affect the US exit strategy.
Blasphemy riots: 6 examples around the world

Many Muslims consider any depiction of the prophet to be forbidden, and Islamic teachings call for handling the Quran with respect. Incidents of both intentional and unintentional disrespect have occasionally prompted protests and violence around the world. Here are six examples:
Killing Yemen Al Qaeda's No. 2 is no death blow to the group

The death of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula No. 2 Said al-Shihri is only a setback for the group, which also recently lost its foothold in southern Yemen.
Backchannels Iraq's exiled vice president sentenced to death as violence grows

In an interview before he was sentenced to death in absentia, Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi warned Iraq is on a slippery slope to more violence.
Decoder Wire Would David Petraeus say yes to Mitt Romney? Why that's a long shot.

Why Mitt Romney would court the CIA chief and war hero as his pick for running mate is clear. But David Petraeus has said he 'will never be' a politician. 'No way, no how.'
Decoder Wire Will Stephen Colbert mess up Mitt Romney's VP rollout?

Stephen Colbert, playing with the theory that Mitt Romney's team will be polishing the Wikipedia entry of his VP choice, urged viewers to recklessly edit entries of potential picks. Wikipedia was not amused.
Families sue US for killing three citizens in Yemen drone strikes

One of the three was Anwar al-Awlaki. The complaint, filed in federal court in Washington, deals with the practice of maintaining ‘kill lists’ that target suspected terrorists, including US citizens.
Why did Pakistan open Afghan supply lines? (+video)

Following a U.S. apology given by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Pakistan opened supply lines to Afghanistan. Truck drivers in Karachi wer among those celebrating the news.
Why Bin Laden disapproved of Al Qaeda in Yemen, Iraq, and Somalia

Osama bin Laden held some of the Al Qaeda franchises in disdain, according to the 17 letters released. Bin Laden also ordered an attack in 2010 on Air Force One, Obama's plane.
Decoder Wire Bin Laden documents diss Joe Biden. Did he get 'The Onion' in Abbottabad? (+video)

According to declassified Osama bin Laden documents found at his Pakistan compound, Al Qaeda's late leader called Joe Biden 'totally unprepared' for the presidency, and left him off a hit list.
The Monitor's View: Which Iran is Obama dealing with?

Events in recent days reveal two views of Iranian leaders: as either pragmatic to the pressure of sanctions or irrationally bent on terror and Israel's demise. So far, Obama is playing to Iranian rationality, reflected by the Iranian people.
Change Agent Super Bowl pizzas give US troops a taste of home

Through Pizzas4Patriots Mark and Kent Evans send thousands of pizzas to US troops stationed overseas on Super Bowl Sunday and the 4th of July.
Top 4 threats against America: the good and bad news

America’s top spy chiefs and intelligence experts come together every year to share their best guesses about the biggest threats that will face the country in the year ahead. Here are the top four pieces of good and bad news to come out of the annual threat-assessment hearing in Congress Tuesday.
The Monitor's View: Patience won in Libya. How about in Afghanistan?

An Obama doctrine of 'strategic patience' helped to bring down Qaddafi. But Obama's impatience to exit Afghanistan only allows Pakistan and the Taliban to wait out the US.
Clinton urges Pakistan to get tougher on terrorists

If Secretary of State Clinton asks Pakistan to carry out targeted operations against the Haqqani network on her visit this week, she is likely to be met with a frosty response, say analysts.
US soldiers feel new sense of urgency in Afghanistan war

The prevailing attitude among US soldiers is that while their remaining time on the ground may be limited, they have plenty of time to prepare Afghan forces to adequately replace them.
Anwar al-Awlaki strike: why it's important, but not a death-blow for Al Qaeda

Anwar al-Awlaki was one of Al Qaeda's idea men – a propagandist who inspired youth to jihad. The drone attack that killed him is a 'big setback,' but it doesn't hurt Al Qaeda's capacity.
The Monitor's View: Obama veto of Palestinian statehood: What can he do after that?

A Palestinian bid for statehood recognition by the UN Security Council will be vetoed by the US. Afterward, President Obama must rebuild his vision for a new style of American leadership in the Middle East.
Good Reads: Taliban's Kabul attack, looming demise of Al Qaeda... and the euro

Today's top stories include a report that the Taliban attack on Kabul may have been a 'last gasp.' Also; how Al Qaeda is being eclipsed by its affiliates. And is the eurozone on its last leg?
Five ways 9/11 has transformed the US military

The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, fundamentally transformed the way the United States military wages war. With the invasion of Afghanistan and, months later, Iraq on the heels of 9/11, the wars have caused the Pentagon to rethink the way it fights, how it spends money in times of crisis, and what it values in both its highest and lowest-ranking commanders. The Monitor asked experts to weigh in on the Top 5 ways in which 9/11 has changed the US military.
Iraqi deal in the works to suspend execution of Saddam-era officials

The indefinite hold on six planned executions of members of Saddam Hussein's regime could prevent a widening of political and sectarian rifts at a precarious time in Iraq.
What Ahmed Wali Karzai's assassination could mean for Afghanistan

The assassination of Ahmad Wali Karzai, President Hamid Karzai's half-brother, could threaten NATO security gains in southern Afghanistan.
In visit to Afghanistan and Iraq, Panetta fixes his gaze on the exit sign

Former CIA chief Leon Panetta, now secretary of Defense, is assessing the US military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan and how to bring them to a successful end.
Pentagon chief Panetta: US within reach of defeating Al Qaeda

On his first trip to Afghanistan as Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta offered an upbeat assessment. "We're within reach of strategically defeating Al Qaeda," he said.
America, you're not in Kansas anymore: New threats define new security landscape

US pullout from Afghanistan must be seen in light of threats from Iran, Pakistan, North Korea. Going forward, there will be fewer troops, more drones, and a massive contest of wits.