Condemnations of Syrian War Crimes Have Little Impact
Any proposal to prosecute Syrian officials would probably fail in the Security Council.
Daniel DePetris
Karzai Jeopardizes Afghanistan Security Pact
Why is the Afghan president putting his country’s security at risk by refusing to sign?
Senate Threatens More Sanctions as Iran Talks Resume
Lawmakers plan new sanctions against Iran, regardless of what progress is made in Geneva.
After Years of Friction, Afghan Pact Rests with Tribal Leaders
Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai agrees to a framework that would allow foreign troops to stay.
Parties Critical of Obama’s Iran Strategy
Lawmakers from both parties wonder if the president isn’t going too far.
Kerry Tries to Rescue Stalled Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks
America’s secretary of state is doing his utmost to ensure that the negotiating process continues.
Terrorist Leader’s Death Sours American-Pakistani Relations
The killing of a Taliban leader upsets officials in Islamabad who were exploring peace talks with the militant group.
Iraq’s Maliki Deserves Some Tough Love from Obama
More fighter planes and intelligence sharing won’t end the violence in Iraq.
Syrian Regime Withholding Food, Medicine from Rebel Areas
Syria’s Bashar Assad doesn’t need chemical weapons to punish rebellious sections of the capital Damascus.
Maliki Can Learn Counterinsurgency Lessons from Americans
The Iraqi leader has to reach out to his opponents.
In Shocking Move, Saudi Arabia Declines Security Council Seat
The kingdom cites continued killing in Syria and the absence of a Palestinian state as reasons for rejecting a seat.
Egypt Aid Suspension Worries America’s Arab Allies, Israel
Israel and the Gulf monarchs are wary of destabilizing a government in Cairo they can work with.
Authorities on Edge After Al Qaeda Leader Captured in Libya
The Americans kept Libya’s government in the dark about their plan to apprehend a terrorist.
Hardliners Let Obama-Rouhani Diplomacy Play Out, For Now
Conservatives in Tehran and Washington seem willing to give diplomacy another try but will expect results soon.
Obama, Rouhani Try Telephone Diplomacy, Lawmakers Skeptical
Both leaders will have to persuade their domestic critics that a nuclear deal is worth it.