Iraqi vice-president’s veto threatens Iraqi elections. Seven out of ten Afghans blame poverty and corruption for continued instability. Israel plans to expand settlement in East Jerusalem. Six suspected Muslim separatists killed in South Thailand. Five Iranian protestors sentenced to death. All th
Afghan government reveals new unit to tackle corruption. UN inspectors warn of more hidden nuclear sites in Iran. Thirteen Iraqi villagers killed by gunmen. China and US remain divided on Iran. All this and much more, in today’s security briefing.
Iran faces mounting international pressure on nuclear issue. UN considering withdrawal from Congo. Militants bombard French hosted talks in Afghanistan. Obama calls for extension of universal rights to China. US demands release of Burmese dissidents. Clinton outlines narrow goals in Afghanistan. A
The promise of a reinvigorated peace process in the middle east which accompanied Barack Obama to power is likely to go unfulfilled. Instead, the region appears on the perilous verge of a relapse into war.
The US Ambassador to Kabul cables the Whitehouse expressing his reservations about troop increases. President Obama faces diplomatic hurdles in his visit to Japan. Saudi Arabia evacuates villages and closes schools in response to escalating violence in Yemen. All this and more, in today’s security
Saudi offensive against Houthis provokes Arab-Iranian diplomatic row. Cambodian refusal to extradite Thai ex-PM freys neighbourly relations. Taliban footage shows dominance in Nuristan. Somali pirates strike again. Security firm Blackwater in bribery scandal. FARC rebels kill nine Colombian soldie
South and North Korean ships clash off west coast. Iran charges US hikers with espionage. Japan promises $5 bn aid package for Afghanistan. Somali pirates expand operations. Fort Hood gunman linked to Al Qaeda. All this and much more, in today’s security update...
Abbas's threat to resign puts PA in jeopardy. China outlines £6bn plan for African development. Saudi forces gain ground against Shia insurgents. Market bombing kills mayor and eleven others near Peshawar, Pakistan. Iraq agrees essential electoral law. Obama announces 34,000 more troops for Afghan
The banking crisis creates a quantum of pain that we will all feel. But there are choices in the way that pain is distributed. John Mauldin considers the choices for the US economy: Argentine, Eastern European, Austrian, Japanese or a difficult glide into safety?
The IAEA has asked Iran to explain evidence that it has tested a sophisticated design for a nuclear warhead. Saudi Arabia continues its assaults on Yemeni militants. The agreement that ended the Honduras political crisis has collapsed. All this and much more in today’s update.
Mousavi supporters clash with police in Tehran. Afghan policeman kills five British troops in Helmand province. The US delegation to Burma meets Aug San Suu Kyi. The US Congress rejects Goldstone Report. All this and more in today’s security briefing.