Topic: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
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Iran fires at US drone: the top 3 pressing questions
Iranian military forces fired at a US Predator drone for the first time ever earlier this month, the Pentagon acknowledged this week. It’s a revelation that has raised a host of questions for the US military. Here are the top three.
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Why no safe zone in Syria, yet? 5 complications
The flood of Syrian refugees entering Turkey – as many as 5,000 a day for the last 10 days – has ratcheted up the pressure for a safe zone’s creation. But a safe zone is complicated and carries many risks.
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Terrorism & Security
Damascus bombings prompt warnings of Iraq-style insurgencyYesterday's bombings in Damascus were the largest since the uprising began. The US and others are sounding an alarm about a particularly worrisome turn in the conflict.
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Iran nuclear talks: Are sanctions on the table?
A senior Iranian figure stated that Iran's 'minimum expectation' for the upcoming negotiations was a lifting of some sanctions, but sanctions are notoriously hard to remove.
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Terrorism & Security
Observers in Syria having an impact, but only 11 on the ground so far (+video)Another 100 are slated to come in a month. 'Are they coming on horses?' asks an exasperated activist.
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Assad's actions in Syria spur US to consider intervening
The ongoing violence in Syria, despite the regime's lip service to the Annan peace plan, has pushed the Obama administration to weigh stronger steps.
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Iran nuclear talks: why, this time, both sides are staying positive
Iran hopes that success in nuclear talks will ease the bite of sanctions, while President Obama aims to show that his policy of tougher sanctions and diplomacy will produce results.
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Could Al Qaeda get Syria's chemical weapons?
Syria is thought to have large caches of nerve and mustard gases, plus thousands of shoulder-fired missiles – weapons that some worry could fall into the hands of Al Qaeda.
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How Syria's Assad plans to survive
Despite promises of a referendum next week on a new constitution, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime seems to have made a clear decision to base its survival on repression.
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Iran's good cop, bad cop act: agrees to talks, flaunts nuclear advances
Iran has agreed to return to talks about its nuclear program. But it also trumpeted advances in that nuclear program, showing that it wants to bargain from a position of strength.
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US diplomats exit Syria: Can West prevent descent into more violence? (+video)
Western leaders call for a coalition to side with 'Syrian people' against Assad, and UN leader Ban says failed Security Council resolution gives Syria 'no license' to step up attacks on civilians.
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Syria next steps: With diplomacy stalled, escalation expected
Vetoes by Russia and China at the United Nations Security Council leaves few diplomatic options available to stem the violence in Syria.
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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.
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Syria uprising: Religion overshadowing the democratic push
The fighting in Syria risks being defined less as a popular uprising against a secular democracy and more as an armed sectarian conflict.
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How Iran could beat up on America's superior military
America's defense budget is roughly 90 times bigger than Iran's. But Iran has a well-honed strategy of asymmetric warfare.
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Is Al Qaeda actually involved in the Syria uprising?
Embattled President Bashar al-Assad is blaming Al Qaeda and its affiliates for a spate of suicide bombings around Syria's capital, but analysts are skeptical.
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Terrorism & Security
Syria vows to execute 'terrorists' after worst day of violenceHuman rights groups estimate that at least 110 Syrians were killed yesterday, which would be the highest single-day death toll in the nine-month uprising.
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Iran's bid for power in postwar Iraq
As Iraqi Prime Minister Nour al-Maliki meets President Obama in Washington, Tehran is trying to broaden its influence in Iraq by installing a heavy-hitting cleric there.
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Terrorism & Security
Is the West waging a covert war against Iran?Iran called the Nov. 12 explosion at a key missile development center an accident. But there is increasing speculation that it was in fact part of a covert war against Iran.
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Why Iran lashes out at West
Is Iran pursuing a systematic strategy to provoke its enemies? It's not always that simple.
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Terrorism & Security
A turning point for Syria protests?Syrian Army defectors launched a fresh assault on a pro-government group yesterday. Some say their concentrated military action could be the turning point for the Syrian protest movement.
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How will US retaliate against Iran for alleged assassination plot?
Military reprisal is justified, some analysts say. But initially the US is likely to take a diplomatic course, trying to further isolate Iran after its alleged role in an assassination plot on US soil.
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Terrorism & Security
Turkey's Erdogan heads to Egypt, unnerving an embattled IsraelTurkish Prime Minister Erdogan's North Africa tour comes at a critical time for Israel, whose diplomats were forced to flee Cairo this weekend after protesters attacked the Israeli embassy.
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Why hasn't President Obama called for Syria's Assad to go?
As the death count rises in Syria, calls are mounting for President Obama to denounce Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. But Syria's pivotal role in the region and fragile ethnic and religious balance are complicating the situation.
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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.
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Syria introduces law allowing independent political parties
The bill, approved by the cabinet yet awaiting agreement from Syria's parliament, is the regime's latest concession to protesters. But it includes some restrictions that could limit its impact.
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Is Assad losing Syria? As concerns grow, US urges halt to 'intimidation.'
A realization appears to be growing in the West and the Middle East that Assad's regime is falling apart amid its crackdown on dissent. The State Department urges him to accept political dialogue.
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