Afghanistan: relationship problems in the counterinsurgency campaign
Good intentions are not good enough, and money does not buy commitment.
Author Archives: CJ Radin
Afghanistan
General-turned-spy-chief gives military greater role in CIA analysis of Afghan war
Syria
The protest death toll has reached 3,000. Syrian forces fired on rallies supporting army defectors nationwide. A senior United Nations human rights official called for “protective” international action against Syria as she warned the country was heading towards civil war.
Iran
Iranian oil sales, foreign exchange taking a hit from US, UN sanctions
Egypt
In Egypt, young and tech-savvy Islamists try to project new image
Egypt
Egyptian officials attempted to calm the uproar over Coptic deaths. The Finance Minister resigned over the killings. The army defended its tactics saying soldiers didn’t intentionally kill Copts and accused the Copts of incitement.
Iran
US officials provided additional details about the plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s US ambassador. The US launched an international campaign to punish Iran. Saudi Arabia vowed that Iran would “pay the price” for the plot.
Israel
Israel and Hamas reached a deal to free a captured Israeli soldier, held since 2006, in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. The deal did not include a number of top prisoners or several high-ranking Fatah prisoners.
Israel
Israel-Hamas Prisoner Swap May Reshape Regional Politics
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Clinton says some Arab changes may come slowly
Syria
Syria’s uprising exacts heavy toll across economy
Iran
For Iran and Saudi Arabia, simmering feud is rooted in history
Syria
Tens of thousands rallied in central Damascus to show support for President Assad. The Syrian opposition gained regional backers. Syrian National Council received backing from a coalition of Egyptian activists. A group of Syrians opposed to President al-Assad created an alliance of technocrats to help fill a void of expertise within the opposition.
Syria
The most senior officer to defect from Syria’s armed forces is plotting guerrilla attacks and assassinations from Turkey in an attempt to topple the regime. After a prominent leader was assassinated, Syrian Kurds begin to protest against President al Assad. Iraq’s Maliki urged Syria to end one-party rule. Organization of Islamic Cooperation warned Syria over […]
Iran
If US Leaves Vacuum in Iraq, Disliked Iran May Not Fill It
Iran
The EU expanded sanctions against Iran. Iran rejected a US direct “military hotline” proposal. Opposition leader Mehdi Karoubi was briefly freed from house arrest, a move indicating that authorities might ease conditions for him.
Syria
The National Council agreed on a democratic framework for a future Syria and wants international observers. The foreign minister warned other nations not to bestow legitimacy on the opposition group. Syria’s top Sunni cleric warned against military intervention and threatened retaliation in the US and Europe if Syria came under attack. The EU welcomed the […]
Iran
Iran tells Turkey: change tack or face trouble
Syria
In northern Syria, security forces attacked and killed Meshaal Tamo, a prominent opposition leader. At his funeral, 50,000 Syrians rallied against the regime of President Assad. Syrian security forces fired on the funeral procession, killing two.
Syria
Russian President Putin urged President Assad to reform or leave office – the first time the allies have publicly diverged during Syria’s six-month uprising. The most senior officer to defect from Syria’s armed forces said there is no option but to topple Assad by force. Assad’s family has been “selling off the overseas property empire.”
Iran
Analysis: Iran’s biggest financial scam weakens Ahmadinejad
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Pakistan Pulls Closer to a Reluctant China
Syria
NATO bombing in Libya added to Syria vetoes
US plan for troop withdrawal from Iraq becomes clear, mostly
Two US combat brigades are poised to remain in country if a new SOFA is reached, or move Kuwait if not.
Syria
Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution calling for a halt to the crackdown against opponents of President Assad. Turkey said it would impose sanctions on Syria despite the vote. Syria revoked a ban on imports of consumer goods. France warned Syria it would not tolerate harassment of protesters.
Syria
Syria’s powerful allies thwart international attempts to halt violence
Syria
A Syrian colonel who has joined the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad took refuge in Turkey. He had been a target of a Syrian military crackdown in the Rastan, but had escaped. Turkey plans to conduct a military exercise near the Syrian border.
Iran
An Iranian graduate student at the University of Texas went on trial in Tehran on charges of having relations with a hostile country and receiving illegitimate funds. Iran has announced the deployment of ship-based missiles that can target American shorelines from international waters. Iran rejected Palestine’s UN statehood bid.
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After Deadly Attacks in Iraq, Iran Lays Low While US Plans Withdrawal
Haqqani Network
Dealing with the Haqqani Network