Topic: The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies

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Regime change: How fear of Iran nukes, and campaign politics, revived the call

A tough-talking debate over pursuing regime change is all the rage again, this time focused on Iran. But proponents say they prefer economic sanctions to military force as the main lever.
Obama's Middle East goal: Tie US policy closer to American values

Obama's insistence that US policy in the Middle East support, rather than thwart, popular yearnings for self-rule is a warning to autocrats in the region – and marks an 'update' since his Cairo speech.
New START treaty: How will next efforts for nuclear weapons reduction fare?

The Senate ratified the new START treaty by a vote of 71 to 26. But this could turn out to be the high-water mark in Obama’s efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
US, allies reviewing sanctions on Iran: How much pain will it take?

Following two days of talks in Geneva that failed to address concerns about Iran's nuclear program, the US is signaling its readiness to seek even harsher sanctions.
Why Bahrain's Shiite majority is restless despite election gains

Bahrain's Shiite majority now holds 18 of 40 seats in parliament. But Shiites are increasingly upset with the Sunni monarchy, which arrested 23 dissidents in the run-up to this week's election.
Impatient Congress strikes out on its own to sanction Iran

Members of both parties proposed sanctions this week, saying the Obama administration isn't going far enough.
A US pipeline for jihad in Somalia?

Somali-American men are returning to their homeland to fight alongside Al Shabab, an insurgent group with ties to Al Qaeda. Some experts think an organized recruiting effort is responsible for luring them back to Somalia.
Fort Hood shooting splits America over Islamic terror motive

Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is charged with 13 counts of murder in the Fort Hood shootings. Was it a 'killing spree' or 'terrorism,' and is the question more than political?
Fort Hood Senate hearings risk politicizing Hasan investigation

The Senate Homeland Security Committee hearings into whether the Army missed warning signs about Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan could lead to finger-pointing about Fort Hood shooting and political battles over Obama’s terrorism policy.
Why defeating the Taliban is key to stopping Al Qaeda

Only in Afghanistan and Pakistan have we seen jihadism actually take root in large numbers.
Terror plot: a failed replay of London and Madrid?

Up to a dozen others may be involved in the alleged bomb plot, officials say. Police nationwide were told Tuesday to look out for suspicious activity at subway stations and stadiums.
Bomb plot: When should authorities have stepped in?

Two members of an alleged bomb-making operation with links to Al Qaeda, including a New York imam, were ordered held without bail Monday.
Congress grows impatient on Iran, N. Korea, vows action

Tired of President Obama's cautious approach, lawmakers look to sanction the two regimes.
Shooting of two soldiers in Little Rock puts focus on 'lone wolf' Islamic extremists

Did alleged attacker Abdulhakid Mujahid Mohammed act on his own, or was he a trained jihadist?
Obama's first big diplomacy test: Iran

Can the president's philosophy of talking with the enemy keep Iran away from nuclear weapons?
Who will stop the pirates?

American merchant sailors showed their mettle in retaking a hijacked ship, but piracy off Somalia continues to vex the international community.