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.
All Content
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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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As Syria's rebels close in, Assad has three options
The most likely is a retreat into the mountains controlled by his minority Alawite community.
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Syrian rebels riding momentum to Damascus
The fighting follows a number of gains for opposition forces in the north of Syria, which has sparked optimism among Syrians hoping for the downfall of the Assad regime.
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Cover Story
Inside the mind of Iran's Khamenei (+video)Why Iran's iron ayatollah distrusts the US and what that means for nuclear talks and the possibility of war with the West.
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Why Obama is standing with Egypt's President Morsi
The Obama administration – as the US did for years with Hozni Mubarak — wants to separate President Mohammed Morsi's domestic political maneuvers from his role as a Middle East mediator. The US needs Morsi as a peace broker between Hamas and Israel.
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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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Terrorism & Security
Responses to Syrian shelling highlight Turkish-Western divide on conflict (+video)While the US and other Western nations resist being drawn into the fighting in Syria, Turkey is feeling the direct effects of bloodshed and refugees, putting pressure on Ankara to act.
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Activists: Now, yes now, is the time for US to push for MidEast peace
Israeli-Palestinian group OneVoice is bucking conventional wisdom and trying to drum up support in America for another presidential push toward a final agreement.
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Ambassador Chris Stevens killed in Libya: Is Arab Spring turning against US?
The flareup of violence in which Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed in Libya shows how the Arab Spring has unleashed forces that are vehemently opposed to America and its ideals.
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Terrorism & Security
Israel-US spat: A help to Iran? (+video)A public row between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Obama administration is distracting the two allies from presenting a united front against Iran's nuclear program.
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Russian nuclear support for Iran limited by distrust
Russia has trained hundreds of Iranian nuclear scientists and blocked international action against Tehran. But beneath the surface, there is profound distrust.
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With Migron outpost evacuation, Israeli settlers lose the battle – but not the war
Israeli peace activists are celebrating this week's Supreme Court order to evacuate the Migron outpost, but the settler population continues to expand in the background of such standoffs.
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NAM summit: Iran attempts to prove Western efforts to isolate it have failed
Though Iran pulled out all the stops this week as host of the Non-Aligned Movement summit, it was met with some heavy international criticism.
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Tweeting jihadists: The next generation of militants
Twitter is an unfiltered space for Islamist extremists. Groups are using the service to provide the jihadist take on current events and conflicts.
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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
Assad says he needs more time to win war as refugees overwhelm Turkey, Jordan (+video)The waves of Syrian refugees seeking haven in Turkey and Jordan are testing the two countries, putting the oft-discussed idea of creating a 'safe zone' in Syria back on the table.
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Syrian rebels' confidence grows after bombing hits Assad's inner circle (+video)
Syrian rebels were able to reach top officials of the Assad regime in today's deadly bomb attack. One was a relative of the president.
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Hillary Clinton to meet Egypt’s new president: what is at stake
Hillary Clinton is delivering important US messages to Egypt's newly-elected president from the Muslim Brotherhood: on women, minorities, the peace treaty with Israel, and US support for democracy.
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US quietly prepares for naval clash with Iran in Strait of Hormuz
Iran is ramping up its production of mini-submarines, which are 'a huge problem' for US naval power. The US has countered by sending minesweepers to the region.
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US lies low on Egypt, acting behind the scenes. Is that approach wise?
Obama and administration officials have remained relatively quiet, at least in public, as turmoil revived in Egypt and a new president was elected. Tougher communication is likely going on behind the scenes, some analysts say.
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US plans to base regional force in Kuwait. Will Iran get the message?
As the Pentagon exits Afghanistan it is looking to Kuwait to base a sizable force. One aim, to dispel the perception in the Mideast, disseminated by Iran, that the US is pulling back in the region.
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Is State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite, but propaganda war is fierce.
Despite early reports, a State Department program to shoot down Al Qaeda propaganda online is not a hack. But the efforts are having an impact, Secretary Clinton says.
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Unusually good forecast for Iran nuclear talks (+video)
UN nuclear chief Yukiya Amano today announced an agreement with Iran to clear up remaining questions about Iran nuclear weapons work ahead of tomorrow's talks in Baghdad.
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Focus
NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?A war-weary US faces off with wary NATO allies in Chicago about money and support for Afghanistan after US combat troops withdraw in 2014. Don't expect any "Mission Accomplished" speeches.
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Focus
NATO summit: Why US, allies don't just call it quits in AfghanistanAl Qaeda, oil, and Pakistan, a trifecta of troublesome issues, make the US withdrawal from Afghanistan far more complicated than it was in Iraq.
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