Iran
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps claimed it captured another US drone. The US denied the claim. The IRGC released a video purporting to show the drone.
Monthly Archives: December 2012
Al Qaeda
Gen. Carter F. Ham Details Al Qaeda Influence in Mali
Syria
In Syria, a fine line between Jihadists and opposition
Syria
A Rebel Fighter Sees Islamic Law In Syria’s Future
Syria
Assad Suffering Reversals in Fighting and Diplomacy
Syria
Heavy fighting continued in southern Damascus near the international airport. A mortar round hit a school near Damascus, killing 29 students.
Lebanon
Gunmen loyal to opposite sides in Syria’s civil war clashed in Tripoli. Two were killed and 12 wounded.
Egypt
Thousands of protesters clashed with police outside the presidential palace in Cairo. Egyptian newspapers went on strike.
Afghanistan
US Senate Approves Dunford as Commander for Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghan Interior Minister Pledges Reforms to Security
Al Qaeda
Islamists and Secular Society Battle for Freedoms after Arab Spring
Tunisia
Supporters of Tunisia’s Islamist rulers attacked members of the country’s main labor union. Ten people were injured before police restored order.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
The top US military commander in Africa said AQIM is operating terrorist training camps in Mali and providing training, weapons, and financing to the al Qaeda-linked Boko Haram in Nigeria. “Al Qaeda and other organizations are strengthening their hold in northern Mali” with each passing day, he said.
France
Police arrested a Muslim convert in Albi and his former partner in Toulouse; both are suspected of serving as accomplices to Toulouse shooter Mohamed Merah. The investigation is ongoing and other accomplices are being sought.
Al Qaeda
The twin threat posed by Syria’s chemical weapons
Pakistan
Pakistan’s Hazara Shiites Under Siege
United States
The US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces removed the judge from the case of Fort Hood shooter Major Nidal Hassan, citing the judge’s “appearance of bias” in requiring the defendant to appear in court clean-shaven and barring Hassan from using a courtroom latrine. The US military denied losing a drone over Iran.
NATO
Officials: NATO to decide on missiles for Turkey
Pakistani Taliban group denies targeting Mullah Nazir in suicide attack
The top spokesman for the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan denied his group was involved in the assassination attempt that targeted Mullah Nazir, an al Qaeda-linked Taliban leader in South Waziristan.
Al Nusrah Front claims yet another suicide attack in Syria
The suicide attack is the 50th in Syria in the past 12 months; 41 of them have been claimed by the Al Nusrah Front.
Al Qaeda
Peace Prospects for Gaza Hinge on Egypt’s Sinai
Pakistan
Pakistan – More than 100 graves of Ahmedi community shattered
Afghanistan
The Taliban killed five civilians in a bombing in Uruzgan and two ISAF soldiers in an IED attack in the south. Security forces killed eight Taliban fighters in Zabul and Faryab. Ismail Khan will remain the Minister of Energy and Water despite rebuilding his militia in the west.
North Korea
Russia and China urged North Korea not to go ahead with a planned launch of a long-range rocket. North Korea informed the UN the launch would take place between Dec.10 and Dec. 22.
Syria
The government continued its attack on rebel positions around Damascus. A Syrian Army tank fired shells into Turkey. A prominent foreign ministry spokesman defected. The UN said it was pulling out all its non-essential staff.
Iran
US Raises Monitoring of Iranian Reactor
Egypt
The supreme court joined other judges in protest against President Morsi by declaring a strike. The media and the tourism industry also planned protest measures.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan to have strong air force by 2016: Azimi
Afghanistan
Afghanistan – Ismail Khan Retains Position as Energy Minister
Egypt
Order restored following renewed clashes in Salloum