Iraq
The Sunni rise again: Uprising in Syria emboldens Iraq’s minority community
Author Archives: CJ Radin
Iraq
Iraq 10 years on: The Shia are in power in Iraq – but not in control
Egypt
Egypt’s new order creates identity crisis for police
Syria
Civil war leaves Syrian minorities stuck between brutal regime and fears of rebel Islamism
Iran
Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei criticized Western powers for not offering concessions in last week’s talks over Iran’s nuclear program. He said the West was using the program as a pretext to impose economic sanctions.
Malaysia
The Philippines and Malaysia: Intrusion confusion
Syria
UN and Arab League officials began negotiating with Syrian rebels over their seizure of 21 UN peacekeeper in the Golan Heights. Government jets continued air raids against the city of Raqqa, captured by rebels two days ago.
Malaysia
Malaysian forces continued a ground and air assault against Filipino militants seeking to reclaim part of Borneo. At least 40 people have died so far in the fighting.
Iran
US General Mattis said sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program were not working. US Secretary of State Kerry said Iran was getting closer to building a nuclear bomb. The US delegate to the UN’s nuclear agency accused Iran of “deception, defiance and delay”. In a joint statement, the EU said Iran was stonewalling the UN agency.
Egypt
Anger courses through Nile Delta and Suez Canal, spelling trouble for Egypt’s Morsi
Malaysia
Long-forgotten Filipino sultanate’s quest for old land sparks deadly crisis in Malaysia
North Korea
A look at what North Korea’s vow to scrap armistice means
Syria
US General Mattis said the US and regional allies are planning for potential stability operations in Syria in case the Assad regime collapsed. Some 20 UN peacekeepers on the Golan Heights were detained by 30 rebel fighters. The UK said it would provide armored vehicles, body armor, and rescue equipment to Syrian rebels but no […]
Afghanistan
Mattis recommends post-2014 force of 20,000 in Afghanistan
North Korea
China and the US proposed new UN sanctions aimed at halting North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. North Korea responded by threatening to cancel the ceasefire agreement that ended the Korean War in 1953.
Thailand
More Than Words Needed on Southern Thailand
Afghanistan
NATO chief backs proposal to keep more Afghan troops in place through 2018, despite expense
Afghanistan
Dam and other Afghan projects being scaled back as U.S. picks up pace of withdrawalt
China
Will China’s new leaders really take on North Korea?
Iraq
Syria’s violence continues its march across borders, into Iraq
Syria
Rebels battled to consolidate their hold in the provincial capital of Raqqa, and captured the provincial governor. President Assad said his regime was defeating the “conspiracy” against the country. The number of Syrian refugees neared 1 million.
Iran
US, Saudis paper over differences on Syria, Iran during Kerry visit
Syria
After weeks of battle, fighters from the al Qaeda-linked Al Nusrah Front and others took control of the provincial capital of Reqqa in northern Syria, the first time an entire city has fallen. Government forces launched a major assault to recapture rebel-held areas in Homs. Rebels elected a civilian affairs council in Aleppo.
Iran
Iran announced it planned to build 3,000 advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges while it phased out 12,000 older generation centrifuges. In February, Iran began installing the new centrifuges at its main Natanz uranium enrichment facility. An Iranian dhow carrying Chinese antiaircraft missiles was seized off the Yemeni coast.
Gulf States
The six monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council criticized the world’s inaction on Syria. They also condemned Iran’s interference in their internal affairs.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah-Israel Psychological War Continues in Nasrallah Speech
Syria
Rebels from the al Qaeda-linked Al Nusra Front and others overran a prison in northern Raqa province, releasing hundreds of prisoners. After a week of heavy fighting, rebels captured large parts of a police academy near Aleppo. Shiite fighters from Iraq and Lebanon joined Syrian Shiites defending a shrine south of Damascus.
Iran
In talks with Iran, reality tempers hopes on nuclear deal
Malaysia
In Borneo, 14 people have been killed in fighting between Malaysian security forces and an armed Philippine group. The group claims the territory as heir to the “Islamic Sultanate of Sulu.”
Thailand
Insurgents detonated a motorcycle bomb in southern Thailand, killing two soldiers and wounding 11 other people. It was the such second attack in the two days since Muslim rebel groups agreed to hold peace talks.