Topic: White House National Security Council

Are Sadr militias rearming in Iraq's south?

A US general said he hasn't ruled out the involvement of militias close to Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in recent attacks in Iraq's south and says the movement is reasserting itself as a force in the area.
05/12/2010 04:39 pm

Gallery Notable women in US politics

Terrorism & Security US-born cleric inspired Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad

The influence of US-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki looms again as new evidence strengthens the notion that Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad was inspired by a global extremist network stretching from Yemen to Pakistan.
05/07/2010 09:41 am

Times Square bomb: If Pakistan Taliban involved, a 'game-changer'

American officials are concerned that Faisal Shahzad was trained by the Pakistan Taliban. That could mean that the terrorist group is attempting to expand its reach.
05/06/2010 09:38 pm

Obama summit's goal: keep nuclear weapons away from terrorists

The security summit that begins in Washington Monday aims to ensure that nuclear weapons and weapons-grade materials are put under lock and key to prevent terrorists from getting them.
04/12/2010 10:16 am

Briefing: Strains in US 'special relationship' with Israel

The 'special relationship' the US and Israel have long enjoyed is being tested again today as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses AIPAC, the most powerful Israel lobby in Washington.
03/22/2010 10:04 am

Mexico killings: Gunmen kill 3 with ties to US consulate

Gunmen in the violence-plagued border city of Cuidad Juarez killed two Americans and one Mexican with ties to the US Consulate on Saturday. Authorities are still trying to assess the motive for the Mexico killings.
03/14/2010 05:30 pm

Opinion War without death? How non-lethal weapons could change warfare

Using non-lethal weapons in Iraq and Afghanistan would support US efforts to demonstrate restraint and would reduce the catastrophic effects associated with war.
03/11/2010 12:46 pm

Tensions spike after Israel names two West Bank sites to national heritage list

Tensions between Israel and Palestinians continued to rise Wednesday, following Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to add two West Bank sites to its national heritage list.
02/24/2010 02:19 pm

Global News Blog Iran protesters: Strength in decentralization, says former White House Iran aide

Gary Sick, who was the chief White House aide during Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the hostage crisis that followed, says the Green reform movement has a surprising strength. Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Iran Thursday.
02/11/2010 11:58 am

Kidnapping of American in Iraq sparked by faltering reconciliation talks

The kidnapping of an Iraqi-American working with the US military in Iraq appears to have been sparked by a faltering reconciliation effort to bring a militant Shiite group into the political process, US officials say.
02/11/2010 10:00 am

Opinion What Russia needs most: Civil society engagement, not appeasement

Ignoring the worst abuses and empowering authoritarians means betraying our friends in Russia – and undermining US leadership around the world.
02/10/2010 11:38 am

The Monitor's View Obama’s smart pick for cyber czar: Howard Schmidt

The president’s cyber czar has the right credentials for this important job, but he’ll need Obama’s visible backing to do it.
12/23/2009 02:14 pm

Cybersecurity czar's first task: reboot policy

The Obama White House Tuesday named former Bush aide, Howard Schmidt, as cybersecurity 'czar.' Cyber attacks from within and outside the country pose a growing threat to the US.
12/22/2009 06:09 pm

Terrorism & Security Iran's 10 new nuclear plants? Not likely, say experts.

Experts say Iran's plans to build 10 new nuclear plants is not within its capabilities for years, but Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said they would manufacture 500,000 new centrifuges.
11/30/2009 12:00 am

Obama in Korea: warmer welcome than in China, Japan?

Obama is expected to receive a warm welcome in South Korea, where top issues on agenda are North Korea talks and a free trade agreement.
11/18/2009 12:00 am

Rajiv Shah: The man Obama wants to revitalize USAID

USAID has been without an administrator since Obama took office. Rajiv Shah could bring innovative thinking to USAID, but he probably will not have the gravitas to make USAID more of a force in Washington.
11/11/2009 12:00 am

Afghanistan war decision: how Robert Gates thinks

Pentagon chief Robert Gates is the swing vote in Obama's decision on the Afghanistan war.
11/02/2009 12:00 am

Can Mutambara save Zimbabwe's power-sharing government?

Zimbabwe's Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara portrayed himself as a mediator while decrying the obstinance of President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
10/27/2009 01:00 am

Opinion White House czars: Is Congress to blame?

Before Congress allowed it to expire, there used to be a law that helped the president streamline and coordinate roles within the executive branch.
10/19/2009 01:00 am

Tsvangirai: Zimbabwe's MDC 'disengaging' from unity government

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Tsvangirai announced that his party will boycott meetings with President Mugabe's ZANU-PF party until they resolve their differences. Mugabe foe Bennett was released from jail on bail today after being detained Wednesday.
10/16/2009 01:00 am

Opinion How the Irish 'yes' vote helps Europe – and the US

Kissinger famously quipped that it was difficult for America to deal effectively with Europe without a single phone number to call. Now it will have one.
10/05/2009 01:00 am

Global News Blog Iran promise to send nuclear fuel abroad: A major concession?

The real test, caution some, is whether Iran follows through on the tentative nuclear deal that would effectively prevent Tehran from developing a bomb.
10/02/2009 01:00 am

What next in Afghanistan? The five people Obama is asking.

President Obama has said he is reviewing US strategy in Afghanistan. Here are five of the most important people he is listening to – and what they might be telling him.
09/24/2009 01:00 am

Russia now an ally against Iran nukes?

Sanctions against Iran are possible, Russia's President Medvedev said Wednesday. The statement is a coup for President Obama, and could be a result of his recent decision to kill a missile shield in Eastern Europe.
09/24/2009 01:00 am