Qatar Calls for Armed Intervention in Syria
Arab troops should go into Syria to “stop the killing,” says the Qatari emir who previously supported intervention in Libya.
Asia
Protecting the Integrity of American Troops in Afghanistan
Rare acts of outrageous behavior cannot stain the reputation of all fighting men.
China, US Quietly Hope for Incumbent’s Victory in Taiwan
Both China and the United States would rather have the Kuomintang president in power than his challenger.
Taliban Talks Could Hurt Obama’s Reelection Chances
Domestic American politics will probably frustrate attempts to bring the war in Afghanistan to a negotiated end.
What’s Going On Behind the Scenes in Tehran
Trying to make sense of Iran’s internal power struggles is reminiscent of Cold War-era Kremlinology.
Circumventing the Strait of Hormuz’ Bottleneck
As Iran threatens to shut the narrow waterway from international oil tankers, what alternatives are there?
Pentagon Study Says NATO Messed Up
An internal Defense Department study reveals that NATO had a role in the death of twenty-four Pakistani soldiers.
The Enigma of Air Sea Battle
The current debate about Air Sea Battle is either speculation or a proxy for the Pentagon’s budget wars.
Arab Monitors Begin Their Mission in Syria
Inspectors from the Arab League arrive to see if President Assad is keeping his word to end the violence.
China Island Hopping in the Indian Ocean
Across the region, China is building a “string of pearls” of military bases in order to contain India’s rise.
Karzai Balks at Terms of Taliban Reconciliation
Negotiations between the Taliban and the United States broke down after the Afghan president rejected the terms of a ceasefire.
Escalating Sectarian Divide Threatens Post-American Iraq
As Iraq’s Shia consolidate power under Nouri al-Maliki, Sunnis may again revolt.
Worst Case Scenario: A Second Korean War
Another war on the Korean Peninsula would draw in the United States and probably China.
Iraq’s Nouri al-Maliki Increasingly Authoritarian
Iraq’s prime minister may be using sectarianism to sideline his opponents.
The Kim is Dead, Long Live the Kim!
The death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il leaves his third and youngest son as heir apparent.