Malaysian plane downing: Will it change course of Ukraine conflict?
It would seem to be a game-changer, but security analysts hold out little expectation that will be the case. A wild card? Germany.
Howard LaFranchi
What role for US in efforts to rescue Nigeria’s kidnapped girls?
US pledges its help to try to save almost 300 girls kidnapped in Nigeria last month by the terrorist group Boko Haram. Military aid is not likely, but assistance with intelligence and crisis management could be.
Is Ukraine crisis proof that Obama’s ‘lead from behind’ policy failed?
With Secretary of State Kerry traveling to Kiev Tuesday, critics of Obama’s foreign policy doctrine are hoping the trip signals the end of ‘lead from behind.’
Syria talks showcase chasm in positions. What was US expecting?
Whether Assad could be part of a transitional Syrian government elicited sharp disagreement at the talks, suggesting US hopes for the forum were modest, perhaps just a series of small steps.
Nuclear materials threat: Countries improving security, agency finds
The Nuclear Materials Security Index notes progress in several countries. In the last two years, seven have given up most of their weapons-grade uranium and plutonium, while others are tightening security measures.
Benghazi attack: Senate report slams State Department, intelligence agencies
In a new report, a Senate committee faults the State Department and US intelligence agencies for failure to prevent the 2012 terrorist attack on a US diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.
Is Congress about to kill Iran nuclear deal against Obama’s wishes?
Congress appears to be moving toward approving new sanctions against Iran with a veto-proof majority, potentially undermining the interim nuclear deal now being implemented.
Does Robert Gates memoir hint at Obama’s next Afghanistan moves?
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he witnessed a president making the right decisions and following the right strategy in Afghanistan, but not really believing in them.
Syria power struggle: Are fortunes of the more moderate rebels rising?
Just a month ago, the Free Syrian Army appeared to be in disarray. But on Monday, Al Qaeda-aligned rebels retreated from some of their strongholds after clashes with the FSA and moderate Islamists.
Senators, defying White House, push a new Iran sanctions bill
The bipartisan group of senators say their threat of harsher sanctions will lead Iran to negotiate in good faith to reach a final deal with the international community on the scope of its nuclear program. White House sees the bill as ill-timed.
Did US mistreat Indian diplomat? Her country is furious
The US promised Tuesday to look into the arrest, on visa fraud charges, of India’s deputy consul-general in New York, but the indignation and retaliation has yet to abate.
Iran nuclear deal: To preserve the euphoria, much needs to happen
Optimistic reactions to the Iran nuclear deal, such as higher prices for certain stocks and lower for oil, could sour quickly if Iran fails to follow through on the requirements it signed on to Sunday.
As more Iran talks loom, Obama presses senators to hold off on new sanctions
President Obama talked to a bipartisan group of senators Tuesday about the potential interim deal with Iran. Although some lawmakers are not satisfied with such a deal, it appears that no new sanctions are likely to pass Congress at least until December.
Miffed at Obama over Iran, Netanyahu cozies up to France’s Hollande
With the six powers set to seek an interim agreement with Iran this week on its nuclear program, Israel’s Netanyahu hailed Hollande as a lone voice opposing a ‘really bad’ deal.
Does Iran have a ‘right’ to enrich? Answer is key to nuclear deal, and beyond
The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty does not explicitly cite a ‘right’ to enrich uranium, and how the US and other powers resolve this dispute has implications beyond Iran.
Potential Iran nuclear deal: what John Kerry faces in convincing Congress
If anything, Congress wants to ramp up sanctions against Iran, not soften them, asserting that only more economic hardship can persuade Tehran to dismantle its nuclear program.
World’s ‘most flagrant abusers’ set to join UN Human Rights Council
Among the nations poised to join the UN Human Rights Council are Saudi Arabia, China, and Russia, which have all stymied attempts by the council to look into their human-rights records.
Iran nuclear talks: Can the window stay open long enough for a deal?
Iran and six world powers return to talks Thursday on the country’s nuclear program. Despite word that Iran would be ready to put specifics on the table, that doesn’t appear to be the case now.
One trip, two crises: Can Kerry keep the lid on Mideast peace talks and Iran?
John Kerry faces two formidable challenges in his visit to the Mideast: keep frustrated Palestinians committed to peace talks, and reassure Israel’s Netanyahu that Obama isn’t going soft on Iran.
US spying scandal: Why Germany and France won’t get Britain’s deal
Germany and France likely want a no-spying agreement with the US similar to the one Britain made after World War II, but US intelligence needs are far different today, experts say.