In The News

Egypt Can’t Blame Everyone Else

H.A. Hellyer November 9, 2015
Egypt initially resisted theories that a bomb brought down Russian Metrojet Flight 9268 in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 224. Evidence suggests that extremists may have planted a board onboard the plane, and other countries are reacting, including the United Kingdom, which suspended flights to the region, and Russia, which eventually suspended flights to the nation. Egyptian authorities waited a...

Hotspots: Europe Debates Initial Reception Centers for Refugees

Peter Müller November 4, 2015
EU leaders are divided over how to handle the thousands of refugees streaming from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan and trying to reach Europe. The reception in Europe can be hostile and disorganized. Some EU leaders hope to establish reception centers along Europe’s external borders to register refugees and conduct reviews on applicants’ status for asylum. Applicants meeting the standard would be...

Big Win by Turkey’s AKP Signals Vote for Stability

Chris Miller November 3, 2015
Turkey’s Justice and Development Party, also known as AKP, won 317 seats in the General National Assembly with Sunday's election– more than expected and more than the 276 needed for a majority, but not enough to change the constitution directly. The results confounded pollsters since AKP failed to win a majority in June elections or form a coalition government. “Confronting renewed conflict...

Iran's Involvement in Syria Talks Alarms Hardliners

Kasra Naji November 2, 2015
The United States, Iran, Iraq, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia agree that Islamic State extremists are a menace for the Middle East and must go – but are divided about whether the al-Assad regime can stabilize Syria and whether rebels opposed to that regime should be crushed or lauded. Iran is divided about participating in diplomatic talks to end Syria’s civil war and cooperating with the West....

Iran Involvement in Syria Talks Reflects Russia's Growing Influence

Michael Pizzi October 30, 2015
Nations have taken sides in Syria’s civil war: The United States and Saudi Arabia support rebels striving to topple Syria’s ruler, while Russia and Iran support the Assad regime. Since Russia’s entry in September, the rebel forces have been pushed back; Turkey, fearing autonomy for the Kurds, attacks forces that have fought fiercely against Islamic State extremists. Diplomatic talks start today...

You've Got Fail: High School Students Claim Hack on CIA Director's AOL Account

Sam Thielman October 20, 2015
Internet users can be swift and harsh with online judgments. US authorities are investigating claims that the CIA director’s email account was hacked with details on 20 employees released. One hacker claims to be a US high school student – “not Muslim” and “motivated by opposition to US foreign policy and support for Palestine.” Violence has spiked in Israel this month: Random, sudden knife and...

Islamic State Is Prime Suspect in Turkey Bombing as Protests Erupt

Daren Butler and Humeyra Pamuk October 12, 2015
Suicide bombers attacked a peace rally organized by activists in Ankara, killing at least 97 people. Many suspect that Islamic State extremists are responsible for the attack as the country prepares for the November 1 election: “Opponents of [President] Erdogan, who has led the country over 13 years, blame him for the attack on a rally organized by pro-Kurdish activists and civic groups, accusing...