A Dutch inquiry concludes the Iraq war ‘was illegal’ as Alastair Campbell presents his evidence before the Chilcot inquiry. Afghans express anger over alleged desecration of Quran. Yemen kills ‘al-Qaeda cell leader.’ Obama expected to ask $33billion more for wars in February. Israel apologises to
China conducts missile system test following US-Taiwan arms sales. Optimistic poll raises hopes for Afghanistan. Israel plans new fence along Egyptian border. Iranian scientist killed in bomb attack. All this and more in today’s security briefing.
North Korea offers disarmament talks if US ends sanctions. New wave of attacks on Malaysian churches. Violence continues between political factions in Karachi. Sudan dismisses warnings of renewed conflict. President of Yemen declares willingness to talk with Al Qaeda. All this and much more in tod
A series of intelligence failures that stretch from Afghanistan to the American heartland reveals the depth of the United States’s strategic predicament at the dawn of 2010.
President Obama unveils new reforms of the US security bureaucracy in the wake of a White House report criticising intelligence failures linked to the attempted Christmas Day bombing. A leading Iranian opposition politician is attacked by supporters of the regime. In the Philippines, fighting erup
Yemen’s foreign minister rejects possibility of US intervention in its battle against al-Qaeda, suggesting fears that US support might do more harm than good. Aid agencies warn of return to war in southern Sudan. Indian security forces bring day-long siege in Srinagar to an end with death of two m
President Barack Obama criticises intelligence agencies for security failings as airport security undergoes review worldwide. The UN food agency suspends operations in south Somalia. A suicide attack in Dagestan kills six people. Egyptian police clash with Gaza aid activists. Britain and France re
Criminalisation of narcotics has little impact on consumption but creates a criminal class and a professional lobby of law-enforcers. Shaw describes this process from the inside.
Without strategy, the science of war overtakes the art of war.
The “salvation narrative” projected onto Barack Obama created false expectations on the left and invited his demonisation by the right
Iran raises nuclear tension with missile test launch. Israel reacts angrily to Tzipi Livni arrest warrant issued by British court. US jail to hold 100 Guantanamo inmates. Amnesty International condemns Australia’s asylum policies. Danish police tear gas climate protestors. All this and more in tod
Secret document shows Iran working on key nuclear bomb component. Car bomb kills eight near Kabul hotel. Japan postpones decision on US Okinawa base. Sri Lanka general denies surrendered Tamil rebels shot. All this and much more in today’s security update.
