Topic: North Africa
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5 reasons why Africa is not ready to meet its own security needs – yet
Africa’s experiment in a regional approach to security is serious and laudable, but it will take time to build credible capacity. Here are five reasons why Africa is not ready to meet its own security needs – yet.
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Hezbollah 101: Who is the militant group, and what does it want?
The Shiite militant group and political party is a player not just in Lebanon, where it is based, but across the broader Middle East. It remains a staunch opponent of Israel, which it fought to a standstill in 2006, and a close ally of Iran and Syria – despite both regimes' crackdowns on citizens Hezbollah purports to champion.
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Briefing
Five things to know about Freedom House's latest global rankings
A look at the 2012 Freedom House ranking of 197 countries according to their relative freedom.
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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.
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In Pictures: Unusual military hats
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Tilapia fish tacos
Simple fish tacos are even more delicious if you use sustainable fish like tilapia.
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Ai Weiwei released on probation under 'depressing' conditions
Ai Weiwei has been released from detention after 2-1/2 months in an unknown location. Conditions of his probation prevent him from speaking about his ordeal, forcing him to avoid the press.
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Artist Ai Weiwei released, Chinese police say
After more than 2-1/2 months of detention, prominent dissident and artist Ai Weiwei has been released because of his 'good attitude in confessing,' according to Chinese state media.
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US covert attacks in Yemen: A better template for the war on terror?
The new campaign follows US concerns about a fortified Al Qaeda in conflict-torn Yemen. It’s very likely a harbinger of things to come, some national security experts say.
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Afghanistan looms large at SCO security group meeting
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) meeting in Kazakhstan focused on how Central Asia could be affected by the possible spread of the Arab Spring – as well as failure to stabilize Afghanistan.
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In Pictures: Unusual military hats
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Africa and the Internet: a 21st century human rights issue?
African leaders could allow freedom of expression, or they could mimic the Chinese model of building a 'Great Firewall of China' to shut down Internet systems that allow critical thinking.
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CIA chief Leon Panetta: The next Pearl Harbor could be a cyberattack
Leon Panetta, at a confirmation hearing for the post of Defense secretary, says the US will need to take 'both defensive ... as well as aggressive measures' to deal with the threat of cyberattack.
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UK, France build case for UN resolution against Syria
Europe is again taking the lead for international response in another chapter of the Arab Spring, arguing for a UN resolution against Syria. Unlike in Libya, it's not calling for military action.
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The Monitor's View: As Syria seethes, the West finds its courage
Overcoming fear is half the battle in the Arab Spring. As Syria's violence worsens, the West gets over its fears.
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Libya: Why the old 'quagmire' chestnut may not apply
NATO bombs rained on Tripoli today and even the African Union seemed to be turning its back on Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. But he has few incentives to surrender, even as his regime crumbles.
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Opinion: Tyrants in Africa: little states, big problems
If we can’t promote democratic values and responsive governance in microstates like Djibouti and Swaziland, we have no business attempting nation-building elsewhere.
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Yemen, Sudan, Libya: Can US douse flames of Middle East hot spots?
With the euphoria over the Arab Spring wearing off, President Obama is sending top aides to the Middle East to address worsening violence in Yemen and fears of renewed civil strife in Sudan.
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The Monitor's View: Why young martyrs stir the Arab Spring
The killing of a Syrian boy is the latest catalyst for Middle East protests. From Iran to Tunisia, young martyrs have exposed a regime's brutality.
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Obama picks combat-tested Gen. Martin Dempsey to head Joint Chiefs of Staff
President Obama has named Army Gen. Martin Dempsey to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Dempsey joins a reorganized national security team facing many challenges.
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Qatar: The small Arab monarchy with the loud democratic voice
It's a contradiction. Qatar, the Gulf country which sits atop a huge natural gas field, is ruled firmly as a monarchy. And yet it has become a strong advocate of democracy in the Arab Spring.
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The Monitor's View: Aid to Tunisia and Egypt: Not exactly a Marshall Plan
As the G8 countries meet in France to discuss support of the Arab Spring, hopes are modest. But a giant Marshall Plan for these new democracies is less needed than is effective aid.
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Obama's speech to British Parliament praised for strength, humility
Obama is only the fourth foreign dignitary to address Parliament at Westminster Hall since World War II. He received a standing ovation for his speech on the US-Europe alliance.
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Opinion: As world burns, G8 leaders fiddle ... with the Internet. Seriously?
Sarkozy, Obama, and the other leaders at the G8 should be evaluating the policies that have brought them to the brink of financial ruin. Unfortunately, their attention will be elsewhere: on Internet regulation, for one thing.
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Was Obama's speech too tough on Israel? Republican criticism mounts.
Congressional appropriators voiced doubts about some aspects of Obama's speech. But the most pointed criticism was from the GOP. 'Obama has thrown Israel under the bus,' Mitt Romney said.
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The Monitor's View: Obama Middle East speech: That was the easy part
In case people doubted – and they did – the United States is on the side of democracy protesters, Obama said in his Middle East speech. But he did little to help Americans or Arabs grapple with hard choices.
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Uganda's Museveni lashes out at media, blames 'drug users' for unrest
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni accused foreign and domestic media outlets of cheering on opposition supporters on Tuesday. He said they would be treated as 'enemies of Uganda’s recovery.'
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Oil futures fall: good news for drivers
Oil futures drop below $98 a barrel. Gasoline futures decline even more. Oil futures now down 15 percent this month.
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'Nakba Day' protests: What regional leaders said
Protests erupted on Israel’s borders and throughout East Jerusalem and the West Bank on Sunday as Palestinians marked the 63rd anniversary of Israel’s independence, which they refer to as the “nakba,” or catastrophe, because it resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Israel has used the clashes to argue that it does not have a legitimate partner for peace, while Arabs have capitalized on the regional spirit of uprising to press Palestinian claims to statehood. Here is a roundup of notable statements:
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The Monitor's View: If the Arab Spring has a second phase, Egypt is it
Worrisome events in Egypt, such as violence against Coptic Christians, do not serve as a model for other Arab nations in revolt.
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