Topic: Libya
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Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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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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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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Mainstream media biased against Romney? Four points to consider.
Many supporters of Mitt Romney argue that his potential path toward the White House has been made a lot steeper by the media. Here are some of the main arguments pro and con.
All Content
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Opinion: Egypt and other Arab democracies will not survive without including more women
Despite their sacrifices during the Arab revolutions, Arab women are glaringly absent from the new parliaments, constitutional drafting committees, and cabinet appointments – especially in Egypt. But democracy, like revolution, is unsustainable in the Middle East without the inclusion of women.
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Jihadist-backed Syrian rebels seize military base (+video)
The base's capture comes just days after the US blacklisted the Jabhat al-Nusra militia, members of whom were involved in the operation, as a terrorist organization.
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Backchannels
US designates Syria's Jabhat al-Nusra front a 'terrorist' group at lightning speedThe US State Department designated Syria's Jabhat al-Nusra, one of the militias fighting Bashar al-Assad, a foreign terrorist organization.
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US, Russia set for surprise meeting on Syria. Is compromise in works? (+video)
Secretary Hillary Clinton and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will discuss Syria with UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi today, amid reports that Syria is deploying its chemical weapons.
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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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Opinion: Flawed graph weakens case against Iran nuclear program (+video)
The Associated Press admits that a graph purporting to show that Iran has run computer simulations for a nuclear weapon is scientifically flawed. This raises serious questions about the quality of other 'evidence' against Iran's nuclear program. Here's a way to proceed.
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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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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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In post-revolutionary Tunisia, 'it's (still) the economy, stupid.'
Violent protests in the countryside echo the economic protest that touched off the Arab Spring here as the new government struggles to improve on the jobs situation.
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Susan Rice's 'worst week' could derail Secretary of State bid
As critics go after her comments on the Benghazi terrorist attack, Susan Rice's race, gender, and personality have become part of the debate over whether she should be the next Secretary of State. Even those who might have supported her are floating other names.
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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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Terrorism & Security
Syria's stalemated conflict picks up speed againSyrian rebels say they never expected the war with the regime to last this long. A string of strategically important victories may move the conflict along again.
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Controversy over Susan Rice's Benghazi comments continues (+video)
On Tuesday, U.S. United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice met with Republican senators who have accused her of misleading the public following the attack on the US Embassy in Benghazi. The White House is searching for a replacement for Hillary Clinton, who plans to leave her job as secretary of state in January.
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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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Energy Voices
Libya’s political unrest stifles oil investmentUnrest in Libya has made investors wary of the nation’s chances to sustain and grow its oil production market, leaving the future of Libyan oil up in the air, according to Consumer Energy Report.
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Fox News ends interview after Thomas Ricks criticizes network (+video)
Fox News ends interview with Thomas Ricks after he criticizes Fox coverage of the Benghazi controversy. Watch the video to see if Fox News ends the interview abruptly or not.
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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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Susan Rice: why GOP opposition to her is no longer white-hot (+video)
Key GOP voices including Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham have tempered their rhetoric about Ambassador Susan Rice, who could be nominated as a possible secretary of State.
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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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As Hamas confronts Israel, its Arab support swells
The last time Israel went to war with Gaza, it didn't have to worry about regional diplomatic fallout. The Arab uprisings have changed that calculus.
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Why is Susan Rice on the hot seat over Benghazi attack? (+video)
Republicans vow to get to the bottom of UN Ambassador Susan Rice’s role in reporting the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Democrats say she's being unfairly pilloried.
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Benghazi attack: ‘Terrorists’ or ‘extremists’?
Congressional Republicans are digging into what the Obama administration knew about the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four American officials. The focus on UN Ambassador Susan Rice – a possible Secretary of State – has become very political.
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Petraeus testifies that CIA always suspected terrorists in Libya attack
Ex-CIA director David Petraeus told lawmakers that the CIA's draft talking points named specific terrorist groups. But Petraeus said some federal agency changed it to "extremists."
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Terrorism & Security
Gaza: Brief cease-fire shattered, Israeli troops mass outside Strip (+video)Despite hopes for a brief cease-fire while Egyptian Prime Minister Kandil visited the Gaza Strip, Israeli and Palestinian forces launched rockets and airstrikes Friday.
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