COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS ARCHIVE :

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Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec 10, by Howard LaFranchi, Scott Peterson, and Donald Kirk
North Korea and Iran: How the two states test US diplomacy
'North Korea is seen as an unpredictable 'spoiled child.' Iran is seen as a rational but aggressive nation. Each have nuclear programs, but pose unique problems for US security.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Dec 10, by editorial board
Iran nuclear talks depend on the bite of sanctions
'The Iran nuclear talks that start Monday in Geneva come after a long year of tougher sanctions and other setbacks for Iran. Obama needs to be cautious about Iranian delay tactics.'

Family Security Matters, 09 Dec 10, by W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
The Unsettling Failure of Airport Security Worldwide
'... airport security is flawed here in the U.S. And international airports are far worse than what most Americans might imagine.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Dec 10, by G. Pascal Zachary
Commentary: Holding onto power isn't the best path for Ivory Coast
'For the good of the Ivory Coast, which was torn apart in a recent civil war and is now facing post-election violence, President Gbagbo should give up his claim that he won the most recent elections.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Dec 10, by Peter Grier
Pearl Harbor day: How FDR reacted on December 7, 1941
'December 7, 1941, now known as Pearl Harbor day, arrived as the country remained hopeful for peace. President Franklin Roosevelt reacted to the intense day with "deadly calm," his wife Eleanor would later recall.'

New York Times, 18 Nov 10, by Barack Obama
Europe and America, Aligned for the Future
'Our task at the NATO summit is to revitalize our alliance and ensure our future security and prosperity.'

New York Times, 18 Nov 10, by Oksana Antonenko and Igor Yurgens
Next, a NATO-Russia Strategic Concept
'NATO and Russia share more security concerns today than at any point since the Cold War. These include instability in Afghanistan and the neighboring region, escalation of regional conflicts, proliferation of WMD and missile technology, and the threats posed by terrorist networks, organized crime and other non-state actors.'

New York Times, 16 Nov 10, by Sam Nunn
NATO, Nuclear Security and the Terrorist Threat
'We may wake up one day to a scenario where terrorists control a nuclear warhead somewhere in Europe.'

Washington Post, 19 Nov 10, by Morton Abramowitz
Focus on Sudan's political referendum obscures trouble in Darfur
'How can the U.S. stand still as the 'cleansing' of Sudanese escalates?'

New York Times, 18 Nov 10, by H.D.S. Greenway
Afghan Transition
'Can the Afghan National Army become a truly national army, or will it be seen as nothing more than a corrupt appendage of foreign rule?'

New York Times, 18 Nov 10, by Karl F. Inderfurth and Theodore L. Eliot Jr.
The Afghan View
'A recent poll reveals that many Afghans actually believe things are getting better — slowly, to be sure, but improving despite the odds.'

Washington Post, 19 Nov 10, by Benjamin Wittes and Jack Goldsmith
Ghailani verdict makes stronger case for military detentions
'The Obama administration's critics are missing the point on Ahmed Ghailani. Their reaction to his acquittal this week on 284 criminal counts and conviction on only one exaggerates both the vices of civilian courts and the virtues of military commissions. And it elides an important alternative to trial in either forum - military detention without trial - that today looks more attractive than ever as a means for incapacitating terrorists.'

New York Times, 18 Nov 10, by Morris Davis
A Terrorist Gets What He Deserves
'Critics of the Ghailani verdict ignore the record of military commissions.'

Washington Post, 18 Nov 10, by Peter Finn and Anne E. Kornblut
Analysis: Verdict dims outlook for civilian trials of terrorism detainees
'... there was private dismay that the first trial of a Guantanamo Bay detainee brought into the United States did not result in a clear and unequivocal conviction on all counts.'

New York Times, 17 Nov 10, by Brahma Chellaney
Why Single Out Myanmar for Sanctions?
'Despite Aung San Suu Kyi's release, the seeds of democracy will not take root in a stunted economy.'

Asia Times, 10 Nov 10, by Donald K Emmerson
Obama's trip, China's role, Asia's summits
'The point of United States President Barack Obama's Asian itinerary is not to shun Beijing. On the contrary, he will have chances to interact with Chinese leaders at international conferences in South Korea and Japan. But China's role in regional and world affairs is a major subtext of his journey. Unlike China, all of the countries on Obama's tour are democracies, and they all have issues with Beijing.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct 10, by editorial board
More US military aid to Pakistan: It can only do so much
'President Obama offered $2 billion in military aid to Pakistan this week. It's an incentive for it to more aggressively fight Afghan Taliban and Al Qaeda. But bigger factors -- such as India -- make Pakistan hesitate.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct 10, by editorial board
Time to reset the reset in US-Russia ties
'Human rights and democracy abuses have worsened in Russia. Despite a smoother relationship from the diplomatic 'reset' between Washington and Moscow, the US should more forcefully pressure Russia for progress on rights, especially as elections loom.'

New York Times, 24 Oct 10, by editorial staff
An Indefensible Defense
'It can be hard to distinguish between the Bush administration and the Obama administration when it comes to detainee policy. A new Supreme Court case is one of those occasions.'

New York Times, 24 Oct 10, by Diane H. Mazur
The R.O.T.C. Myth
'Elite colleges haven’t forced out the military — it left.'

Washington Post, 08 Oct 10, by Stewart Baker
How Europe puts America at risk
'... Europe has consistently opposed the Obama administration's counterterrorism initiatives. The latest rebuff may be the most serious -- and a last straw for the administration.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Oct 10, by editorial board
Talking to the Taliban: rough road ahead
'The Karzai government is talking to the Taliban in hopes of ending the war. But the outlook for these talks is as cold as an Afghanistan winter.'

New York Times, 11 Oct 10, by Roger Cohen
Iran, the Paper Tiger
'Ahmadinejad is a one-trick pony. His thing is double standards.'

New York Times, 11 Oct 10, by Ali H. Soufan
Closing the Case on the Cole
'As Washington debates whether to increase aid to Yemen, it should first remember its duty to seek justice for those sailors — and to heed the broader national-security lessons from the attack.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Oct 10, by Lawrence Korb and Laura Conley
Want to improve US national security? Cut the defense budget.
'Reining in irresponsible defense spending will combat the most significant threat to our national security: the debt.'

New York Times, 05 Oct 10, by editorial staff
Civil Justice, Military Injustice
'Those who insist military justice, not the federal courts, is the best way to deal with terrorists should pay close attention to the sentencing of Faisal Shahzad.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Oct 10, by Dan Murphy
Faisal Shahzad, French terror arrests, and drone strikes: evidence of a working strategy?
'All of this and more has once again put a spotlight on fears that Al Qaeda is successfully reaching out to Muslims resident in the West, training them in Pakistan, and sending them home to carry out terrorist attacks.'

New York Times 'At War', 05 Oct 10, by Rajiv Srinivasan
After Afghanistan: Risk-Averse
'... to equate risk-taking in Afghanistan to risk-taking in civilian life is a rash comparison.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Sep 10, by Kurt Volker
Afghanistan war: Is the US in it to win it?
'America's engagement in Afghanistan remains vital. Now is the time to renew our resolve and pursue our broad-based strategy, not look for an exit.'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 Sep 10, by editorial board
North Korea and the perils of a third Kim regime
'The ruling elite of North Korea meet this week and may anoint a successor to Kim Jong-il -- possibly his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, who was made a military general. This leadership transition, however, won't go easily. China needs to stop propping up a weak, violent regime.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep 10, by Dan Murphy
An Afghan governor dies and Hamid Karzai cries. Is that a problem?
'Bob Woodward's recent book amplified US whispers that Afghan President Hamid Karzai is unstable. There is a problem, but it isn't his brief show of emotion today.'

Asia Times, 29 Sep 10, by George Friedman
US hope lies in Pakistan
'The United States has no strong national interest in how Afghanistan is run so long as it does not support and espouse transnational jihadism. But it needs its withdrawal to take place in a manner that strengthens rather than weakens its influence, and Pakistan can provide the cover for turning a retreat into a negotiated settlement.'

New York Times, 29 Sep 10, by Nicholas D. Kristof
Chronicle of a Genocide Foretold
'Another bloody war and genocide is brewing in Sudan in the coming months. The Obama administration needs to take a tougher stance.'

New York Times, 29 Sep 10, by editorial staff
Shady Secrets
'Despite President Obama’s promises of reform in this area, the public still cannot reliably distinguish between legitimate and self-serving uses of the national security claims.'

Asia Times, 29 Sep 10, by Ismael Hossein-zadeh and Karla Hansen
Why the US doesn't talk to Iran
'The repeated refusal of Iranian offers of dialogue by successive United States administrations suggests that US foreign policy in the Middle East has been driven not by national interest but by the military-industrial complex's need for a constant, external threat to justify its huge share of the treasury. Whether it is the perceived pursuit of nuclear weapons or support for terrorism, there has always been a convenient reason to target a nation.'

Washington Post, 27-29 Sep 10, by Bob Woodward
Part 1: Military thwarted president seeking choice in Afghanistan
Part 2: Biden warned Obama during Afghan war review not to get 'locked into Vietnam'
Part 3: Obama: "We need to make clear to people that the cancer is in Pakistan"
Three articles adapted from Obama's Wars by Bob Woodward

PBS NewsHour, 27 Sep 10, with Gwen Ifill
Settlement Moratorium Expires: Will Mideast Peace Talks Last?
'After Israel opted to allow its settlement-construction moratorium to expire, Gwen Ifill gets two perspectives on what's next for the renewed Middle East peace talks from Ghaith al-Omari, a former adviser to President Abbas, and David Makovsky of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Sep 10, by editorial board
Obama and his audacity of hope for Middle East peace talks
'At the UN, Obama put his presidency on the line with his hopeful statements about the fragile Middle East peace talks. But now is exactly the time for risk taking. Above all, by Abbas and Netanyahu.'

New York Times, 23 Sep 10, by editorial staff
The Sunday Deadline
'President Obama needs to help the Israelis and Palestinians get past the deadline on settlements and then keep pressing them to negotiate a real and lasting peace.'

New York Times, 23 Sep 10, by Roger Cohen
A Test of Israel’s Character
'... with just a couple of days to the expiration Sunday of an Israeli freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank, both sides are digging in.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep 10, by John Hughes
Could Syria become a force for peace?
'Recent policy changes in Syria offer hope. Damascus could be a wild card in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.'

New York Times, 14 Sep 10, by editorial staff
Ratify the New Start Treaty
'The first nuclear arms control agreement with the Russians in nearly a decade needs Senate action now.'

New York Times, 15 Sep 10, by Jim Foster and Don Kanak
A Reset in Japan-U.S. Relations?
'The U.S.–Japan security alliance is strong, but not as strong as it should be. American attention and capabilities have been diverted from Northeast Asia by wars elsewhere ... The Futenma airfield has dominated the U.S.-Japan security dialogue over the past year in a way that is out of all proportion to its strategic significance.'

Christian Science Monitor, 16 Sep 10, by Jon Haber
Campaigns to hurt Israeli economy really hurt Middle East peace
'Anti-Israel campaigns to get big organizations to divest from the Israeli economy may make headlines, but their questionable tactics don't appear to be working – and they don't promote peace.'

New York Times, 15 Sep 10, by Charles A. Kupchan
Palestinians Should Just Say Yes
'... a breakthrough in the new negotiations now under way will require a bold move to prevent the talks from again ending in stalemate.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Sep 10, by P. Edward Haley
Middle East peace talks: four reasons not to be cynical
'Yes, there are huge obstacles. But the advantages of talking over fighting can't be discounted. Peace talks slow the killing, promote civil society, and may shift the dynamics in the region for a more stable future.'

New York Times, 15 Sep 10, by Jimmy Carter
North Korea Wants to Make a Deal
'... there are now clear signals of eagerness from Pyongyang to resume negotiations and accept the basic provisions of the denuclearization and peace efforts.'

Washington Post, 17 Sep 10, by David Ignatius
The U.S. should test Iran's resolve to stabilize Afghanistan
'U.S. policy is still in flux, but the administration appears ready for a limited dialogue with Iran about Afghanistan, perhaps conducted through the two countries' embassies in Kabul.'

Washington Post, 17 Sep 10, by Thomas A. Daschle
Could Kyrgyzstan be the democracy in Afghanistan's back yard?
'Kyrgyzstan is important not only because it houses an airbase but also because it has the most democratic potential in the region.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep 10, by Francine Kiefer
Turkey needs a new Ataturk
'Secularists in mostly Muslim Turkey are disheartened. The judiciary and military – two pillars that have strongly supported the separation of mosque and state in this strategically important country – are toppling.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Sep 10, by editorial board
In search of a solution for Kashmir
'Both India and Pakistan have ample reason to settle the longstanding dispute over divided Kashmir, which is boiling after a summer of violent clashes between protesters and Indian security forces.'

PBS NewsHour, 13 Sep 10, with Gwen Ifill
In Congo, Attitudes About Rape as a Weapon Remain Tough to Change
'Mass rape has been used as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo over the past decade, including reports of attacks in recent weeks. Gwen Ifill gets views from two experts on the situation.'

New York Times, 14 Sep 10, by Jeremy Kinsman
Democracies of the World Unite
'... democratic space in the world is narrowing in what Freedom House calls a “freedom recession” as the number of countries practicing democracy dips for the fourth year in a row.'

Washington Post, 09 Sep 10, by David Ignatius
Gates: The Pentagon's accountability cop
'Many American political figures get emotional about war, but few seem to feel it as personally as Gates.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Sep 10, by John Hughes
Obama must not let Taliban rule over Afghan women again
'Even as Washington prepares to begin withdrawing US forces from Afghanistan next summer, it must not abandon newly-emancipated Afghan women to the Taliban brutality that would reassert itself in our wake.'

New York Times, 07 Sep 10, by Thomas L. Friedman
Saudi Time
'... while the talks are alive, they lack any sense of drama or excitement or larger possibilities.'

Washington Post, 05 Sep 10, by Ernesto Londoño
As the U.S. withdraws from Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno bids an anxious goodbye
'... the general and his aides left Baghdad last week with plenty of milestones to go. Is the distance between Iraqi society's needs and the government's abilities still dangerously wide? As the U.S. military disengages from Iraq over the next year, who will fill that gap?'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug 10, by editorial board
US and UN aid for Pakistan floods: It helps fight Taliban, effects of global warming
'The lives of 14 million Pakistanis are disrupted by massive flooding. The US must prepare for more security crises triggered by erratic weather, perhaps caused by global warming.'

Christian Science Monitor, 18 Aug 10, by Larry P. Goodson
Why US and Pakistan must draw closer
'Nuclear-armed Pakistan is too critical for Washington to abandon again as it moves to withdraw from Afghanistan. The tragic flooding in Pakistan gives the United States a rare opportunity to demonstrate goodwill and break the cynical cycle of its relationship with Islamabad.'

Atlantic Monthly, Sep 10, by Jeffrey Goldberg
The Point of No Return
'In the gap between Washington’s and Jerusalem’s views of Iran lies the question: who, if anyone, will stop Iran before it goes nuclear, and how?'

Washington Post, 12 Aug 10, by George F. Will
Netanyahu, the anti-Obama
'No two leaders of democracies are less alike -- in life experiences, temperaments and political philosophies -- than Netanyahu, the former commando and fierce nationalist, and Barack Obama, the former professor and post-nationalist.'

New York Times 'At War', 11 Aug 10, by Henry Brewster
The Way Forward in Iraq
'... our limited role can hardly justify a costly forward-deployed military and the danger to life that comes along with it.'

New York Times 'At War', 20 Aug 10, by Anthony Shadid and Stephen Farrell
Iraq's Unstable Future
[video] As American forces withdraw, an assessment Iraq's unstable political establishment.

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jul 10, by Nathan Gardels
A reality check on Obama's bid for zero nukes
'Since the nuclear genie can’t be put back in the bottle, striving for a system of stability – rather than dreaming of zero nukes – is the best course.'

New Yorker, 16 Aug 10, by Jon Lee Anderson
After the Crackdown
'Talking to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad—and the opposition—about Iran today'

New Yorker, 09 Aug 10, by Amy Davidson
Leaks
'Some American observers similarly implied that the lack of broad revelations rendered the contents of the files insignificant.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug 10, by John Yemma
For some veterans, wars never end
'Troops now coming home from Iraq -- and those scheduled to return from Afghanistan next year -- often carry the war with them.'

PBS NewsHour, 26 Jul 10, with Jeffrey Brown
WikiLeaks Documents: What War Info Can Be Verified?
'In the wake of the WikiLeaks whistle-blower website releasing thousands of documents detailing Afghan war operations, Jeffrey Brown discusses the military significance with Steve Coll, president of the New America Foundation, and documentary filmmaker Philip Smucker, who have both written about the war.'

Washington Post, 27 Jul 10, by Eugene Robinson
Wikileaks reveal the obvious dangers of Afghanistan
'The Obama administration, our NATO allies and the Afghan government responded to the documents -- made public by a gadfly organization known as Wikileaks -- by saying they tell us nothing new. Which is the problem.'

Washington Post, 27 Jul 10, by Richard Cohen
Wikileaks, telling us the obvious in Afghanistan
'The news in that massive data dump provided by the dauntingly mysterious Wikileaks (who? what?) to one American and two European publications is that there is no news at all.'

New York Times 'At War', 25 Jul 10
The War Logs: Reaction to Disclosure of Military Documents on Afghan War
'... reaction to the release of an archive of classified military documents described here that paints a grim portrait of the war in Afghanistan.'

New York Times, 26 Jul 10, by editorial staff
Pakistan’s Double Game
'If President Obama cannot persuade Islamabad to cut its ties to, and then aggressively fight, the extremists in Pakistan, there is no hope of defeating the Taliban in Afghanistan.'

BBC News, 27 Jul 10, by Barbara Plett
Could a different option with Iran work?
'How do you solve a problem like Iran's nuclear programme? Especially when Iran does not see it as a problem and elevates what it says is a peaceful drive for nuclear energy to the status of a national cause?'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jul 10, by Ben White
Ten years after Camp David, Israel has made peace even harder
'A decade after the failed accords at Camp David, a just peace is still possible, but only if Western leaders act to end Israel’s discriminatory policies toward Palestinians.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jul 10, by the editorial board
US takes stock after Al Shabab terrorist bombings in Uganda
'America's policy so far amounts to containing this Somali terrorist group that has links to Al Qaeda.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jul 10, by Jeremy Sapienza
Uganda bombings: Obama mustn't meddle in Somalia
'The Uganda bombings are a sad reminder of the ways that Washington’s intervention has exacerbated problems in Somalia.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jul 10, by John Dillin
McChrystal: What would Eisenhower have done?
'Before President Obama ousted General McChrystal, he should have considered how Ike dealt with an incident involving legendary General George Patton during World War II.'

New York Times 'At War', 13 Jul 10, by Tim Hsia
Politics and the Military
'There have been several articles recently which have portrayed the military as a force that has become dangerously politicized.'

New York Times 'Opinionator', 14 Jul 10, by Timothy Egan
Run Silent. Run Deep. Run Obsolete.
'Does the cold war policy of Mutual Assured Destruction, in the form of billion-dollar submarines, make any sense in 2010?'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jul 10, by Ahmed Salkini
Syrian secularism: a model for the Middle East
'Westerners don't see that Syria's embrace of diversity is a crucial bulwark against extremism.'

New York Times, 12 Jul 10, by Dave Eggers and John Prendergast
In Sudan, War Is Around the Corner
'... all signs indicate that the Khartoum government will undermine the voting process or not recognize its results.'

Washington Post, 15 Jul 10, by David Ignatius
Congressional gridlock reaches to Pakistan's tribes
'It's incredible -- sickening is a better word, actually -- that a parochial business-labor dispute is blocking a measure that is so obviously in America's national security interest.'

New York Times 'Opinionator', 11 Jul 10, by Martha Nussbaum
Veiled Threats?
'Why the proposed bans of the Muslim burqa in Europe are unworthy of liberal democracies.'

Washington Post, 13 Jul 10, by Dana Milbank
The sad math of aid in Haiti: 6 months, 2 percent
'... the paltry scale of the Pentagon's reconstruction endeavor -- 1.6 million people displaced and the American military is contributing a few classrooms? -- is emblematic of the international response ...'

Washington Post, 01 Jul 10, by editorial staff
In Moscow, vestiges of a KGB mentality
'Why would the successor to the KGB invest so much money and effort "to infiltrate academic, policymaking and government-connected circles," as The Post described the mission in its news story Wednesday, when people in those circles are only too happy to talk with anyone who comes calling?'

PBS NewsHour, 28 Jun 10, with Jeffrey Brown
Justice Department: Russian Intelligence Officers Served as Illegal Agents
'The Justice Department announced the arrest of 10 Russian intelligence officers for allegedly carrying out long-term, deep cover assignments as illegal agents in the United States. Jeffrey Brown talks with two experts for more.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jun 10, by the editorial board
General Petraeus wisely stays the course in Afghanistan
'In his Senate confirmation hearing to become the war's new commander, Petraeus says it is more a matter of tweaks than a redesign of the campaign. Indeed, the strategy has yet to be fully implemented. Now is not the time to change it.'

Washington Post, 25 Jun 10, by Michael Gerson
Obama makes a courageous call on Petraeus
'There was only one choice that could have vindicated presidential authority over the military while ensuring the continuity of operations in Afghanistan -- and Obama made it.'

PBS NewsHour, 24 Jun 10, with Judy Woodruff
After Iraq Tenure, Examining What Petraeus Brings to Afghan Effort
'Judy Woodruff gets three views on how Petraeus will lead the war effort.'

New York Times 'Room for Debate', 24 Jun 10, by the editors
What to Expect From General Petraeus
'While the plan remains the same on paper, will General Petraeus’s appointment alter the war and change the outcome of U.S. efforts in Afghanistan? Will his management and leadership style make a difference, and if so, how much?'

Washington Post, 25 Jun 10, by Charles Krauthammer
Afghanistan: The 7/11 problem
'... two major factors distinguish the Afghan from the Iraqi surge.'

DefenseTech, 24 Jun 10, by Greg Grant
Will the Afghan War Suffer From McChrystal’s Ouster?
'McChrystal knew the military has plenty of “shooters”; where he really worked to change the organization was not the pointy end of the spear, but rather the “shaft of the spear,” ...'

New York Times, 23 Jun 10, by Thomas E. Ricks
Lose a General, Win a War
'No policy can be successful if those sent to put it in place undermine one another with snide comments to reporters and leaked memorandums ...'

PBS NewsHour, 23 Jun 10, with Gwen Ifill
Afghanistan Policy, Goals Reexamined Upon McChrystal Departure
'Gwen Ifill gets three points of view about the decision and its consequences for the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan.'

PBS NewsHour, 23 Jun 10, by Larisa Epatko
Q&A With Military Historian: Relieving Generals 'Rare' in Time of War
'Richard Kohn: "This is no division over policy and strategy. This is something that is, I think, more unusual and in some respects more disturbing ..."'

The Atlantic, 23 Jun 10, by D.B. Grady
Killing the Horse Midstream
'With the publication of the Rolling Stone piece, the word "insubordination" has been thrown around by civilians who've developed an overnight expertise in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Many asked what McChrystal was thinking. Many called for his job, if not his head, and now they've got their wish.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jun 10, by Dmitry Sidorov
To make progress on Afghanistan and Russia, Obama must get Kyrgyzstan right
'Politically unstable Kyrgyzstan, which experienced a coup this spring, is home to a US air base that's critical to the war in Afghanistan. Russia is paying close attention. So should Washington.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jun 10, by Celeste Ward Gventer
Why US soldiers in Afghanistan are so frustrated
'Restrictive rules of engagement reflect a deeper problem: It’s not altogether clear why US soldiers are trying to “win over” the population.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jun 10, by Shireen K. Burki
Bold move to save Afghanistan: Bring back a king
'If the United States values stability more than democracy, it will recognize that restoring Afghanistan’s constitutional monarchy is the only thing that will prevent Taliban rule and victory in the war.'

New York Times, 24 Jun 10, by Kie Young-Shim, Ralph Hockley, Zhou Ming Fu And Bernard E. Trainor
The Forgotten War, Remembered
'Sixty years ago today [24 Jun], units of the North Korean Army crossed the 38th Parallel, invading South Korea and starting the Korean War. Veterans share their memories of the conflict.'

The Atlantic, 24 Jun 10, by Marc Ambinder
McChrystal's Social Liberalism and the Integration of Gays in the Military
'McChrystal was a hard core operator, aggressive as hell, a JSOC ninja -- but he was also a social liberal who tolerated, nay, welcomed gay people into his inner circle, who disdained Fox News, and who grew increasingly frustrated with his reputation as Dick Cheney's hired assassin.'

PBS NewsHour, 22 Jun 10, with Jim Lehrer
McChrystal's Future in Limbo Over Criticism
'Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, made a swift apology to Obama administration officials for critical remarks that were published in a Rolling Stone article. Jim Lehrer gets three points of view on the fallout from the general's quotes.'

Washington Post, 23 Jun 10, by Karen DeYoung and Scott Wilson
Weakening, possible firing of McChrystal compounds sense of peril in Afghanistan
'The firestorm sparked by the general responsible for creating and implementing President Obama's Afghanistan strategy has further set back U.S. prospects in a war that was already on shaky ground.'

Washington Post, 23 Jun 10, by Anne E. Kornblut and Karen Tumulty
Obama has free rein to act on McChrystal, but system is still complex
'... 17 months after assuming the role of commander in chief, Obama finds himself facing a particular test of that balance between control and deference ...'

New York Times, 22 Jun 10, by editorial staff
The President and His General
'Mr. Obama, who summoned General McChrystal to the White House on Wednesday, must either fire his top commander or send him immediately back into the field with a clear mandate to do his job.'

PBS NewsHour, 15 Jun 10, with Maragaret Warner
Afghan Violence Ignites New Concerns About U.S. Military Strategy
'For more on the fresh violence in Afghanistan, Maragaret Warner talks to Rajiv Chandrasekaran of The Washington Post, Lt. Col. John Nagl, president of the Center for New American Security and Col. Andrew Bacevich, of Boston University.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Jun 10, by John Hughes
Turkey is critical to a more moderate Islam
'Turkey is a successful example of a non-Arab land where Islam and democracy coexist and the economy prospers.'

New York Times, 18 Jun 10, by editorial staff
After the Security Council Vote
Published: June 18, 2010 'There are encouraging signs that patience with Iran and its nuclear ambitions finally may be running out.'

New York Times, 18 Jun 10, by Elliot Hen-Tov and Bernard Haykel
Turkey’s Gain Is Iran’s Loss
'The U.S. may benefit as Turkey uses the flotilla attack to take a leadership role in the Muslim world.'

New York Times, 18 Jun 10, by Thomas L. Friedman
Letter From Istanbul, Part 2
'I leave Istanbul with four questions that Turks asked me echoing in my head. Forget the answers, just these questions will tell you all you need to understand the situation here.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Jun 10, by editorial board
Supreme Court ruling on antiterror law: When is working with terrorists OK?
'The US Supreme Court ruled Monday that human rights advocates who advise a foreign terrorist group – even if only to promote nonviolent means to settle a dispute – can be prosecuted for providing "material support" for that group.'

PBS NewsHour, 10 Jun 10, with Jeffrey Brown
Author Junger Portrays Soldiers' Reliance on Each Other in 'War'
'Jeffrey Brown talks with author and journalist Sebastian Junger about his latest book, "War," which tells the stories of an isolated platoon of soldiers on the front lines in Afghanistan.'

Washington Post, 12 Jun 10, by editorial staff
Iran's chance for change
'... Mr. Obama clings to the hope that the radical clique in Tehran will eventually agree to negotiate in good faith ...'

Washington Post 'Impact of War', 11 Jun 10, by Sophie Douquet
When Daddy goes to war
'Experts and everyday people come together to talk about how the war has changed their lives.'

New York Times, 01 Jun 10, by editorial staff
Israel and the Blockade
'The questions raised by the confrontation — and there are many — demand an immediate and objective international investigation.'

PBS NewsHour, 02 Jun 10, with Judy Woodruff
As Flotilla Inquiry Calls Grow Louder, Legality of Gaza Blockade Examined
'Israeli authorities are defending the raids of vessels bound for Gaza, as the international community presses for an independent investigation of the flotilla deaths. Judy Woodruff examines the legality of Israel's attack in international waters with two law experts.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Jun 10, by Nadav Tamir
Hamas, Israel, and the Gaza flotilla: seven facts you need to know
'Amid a barrage of criticism of Israel, fair-minded observers should consider these seven facts before judging the flotilla raid.'

New York Times, 04 Jun 10, by editorial staff
Turkey's Fury
'Turkey is understandably furious about Israel's disastrous attack on the Turkish-flagged aid ship that tried to run the Gaza blockade. ... But Turkish officials have let their anger and rhetoric go way too far.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Jun 10, by editorial board
Turkey must tone down the Gaza flotilla rhetoric
'Gaza flotilla deaths notwithstanding, government leaders in Turkey are inflaming regional tensions and undermining their own goals with their response to the Israeli raid on the Gaza-bound ships.'

Washington Post, 05 Jun 10, by Daoud Kuttab
U.S. should include Hamas in peace efforts
'The Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound "Freedom Flotilla" has put the United States in a difficult position. But it has also given Washington an opening for a game-changing action.'

Washington Post, 05 Jun 10, by Namik Tan
Israel owes Turkey an apology for flotilla attack
'... flouting of international law, the loss of life and the inexplicable and protracted detention of the ships' passengers only partially explain why the Turkish public, along with the international community, is so stunned and angry and why the Turkish government immediately withdrew its ambassador to Israel and canceled joint military exercises with that country.'

New York Times 'At War', 04 Jun 10
Hamas, Israel and Gaza: No Way Out?
'Israel's deadly commando raid on a flotilla seeking to break the three-year Israeli embargo on Gaza has once again pushed the Islamist Palestinian movement Hamas into the forefront of Middle East politics.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Jun 10, by Suat Kiniklioglu
US response to Israel's flotilla raid will shape the Middle East
'It is ... imperative that a prompt, impartial, credible, and transparent investigation conforming to international standards into the deaths of at least nine civilians at the hands of Israeli commandos is launched.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Jun 10, by Alastair Crooke
After the Israeli flotilla incident, Turkey is the new Palestinian champion
'Egypt's control of the Palestinian "file" will never be the same again, says former British intelligence operative Alastair Crooke.'

New York Times, 01 Jun 10, by Amos Oz
Israeli Force, Adrift on the Sea
'... the only way for Israel to edge out Hamas would be to quickly reach an agreement with the Palestinians on the establishment of an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as defined by the 1967 borders ...'

Washington Post, 04 Jun 10, by David Ignatius
The U.S. needs to keep nudging Israel on a Gaza fix
'The Obama administration, caught between two allies during this week of crisis, has signaled Israel and Turkey that the blockade of Gaza should be loosened to allow more humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinian population there.'

Washington Post, 04 Jun 10, by Charles Krauthammer
Those troublesome Jews
'... blockade is Israel's fallback as the world systematically de-legitimizes its traditional ways of defending itself -- forward and active defense.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Jun 10, by Stephen Kurczy
Top 10 military spending nations ...
'Worldwide military spending jumped 5.9 percent in 2009 to $1.5 trillion, according to a new report that underscores the long-term decision of many countries to prioritize defense.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Jun 10, by editorial board
Germany and its reflex aversion to a normal military
'The resignation of German President Horst Köhler over remarks about the use of armed forces to defend German economic interests points again to the need for a more normal view of the military in that country.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Jun 10, by Cheryl Benard and Elvira Loredo
A three-pronged approach to confront Afghanistan's corruption
'Corruption is not inevitable. Afghanistan should focus on technical, legal, and cultural areas to ease the tyranny of corruption.'

New York Times 'At War', 03 Jun 10, by Henry Brewster
Remembering Iraq
'... the general public is curious but ill-informed about a country and a conflict to which it still sent over 100,000 young American men and women.'

New York Times 'At War', 03 Jun 10, by Eric Rudie
Drawdown in Iraq: The Lights Are Going Out
'In a strange way, the process of withdrawal seems calculated to erase all traces of our presence.'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 May 10, by Nathan Gardels
Want to understand what makes a jihadist tick? Read Ayaan Hirsi Ali's "Nomad."
'Through the "Infidel" author's insights, we learn more about why young men become susceptible to the jihadist siren than from all the weighty tomes of intelligence analysis.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 May 10, by Graham E. Fuller
Former CIA officer on Iran: Brazil and Turkey are vital checks and balances
'Shouldn't the world welcome the actions of two significant, responsible, democratic, and rational states to intervene and help check the foolishnesses of decades of US policy on Iran?'

Asia Times, 04 Jun 10, by Bertil Lintner
Myanmar's nuclear bombshell
'That Myanmar is now trying to develop nuclear weapons and has become engaged in a military partnership with North Korea will dramatically change the region's security dynamic.'

Politico, 26 May 10, by Ryan Alexander
Why two jets are not better than one
'When Gates released the Pentagon’s fiscal year 2011 budget request, he singled out as veto-bait the development of an alternate, or extra, engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the military’s next-generation aircraft.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 10, by editorial board
A needed UN response to ship sinking by North Korea
'The United Nations' response to the ship sinking by North Korea needs to be forceful enough to also remind South Koreans that the world wants them to remain vigilant, not indifferent.'

New York Times, 25 May 10, by editorial staff
A Stronger Military
'After months of unnecessary hand-wringing and delay, the White House and Congressional leaders appear to have reached an agreement on ending the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that forced thousands of gay and lesbian service members to stay in the closet in order to serve their country.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 May 10, by Stanley Kober
Bush case for Iraq war: Does it matter if it was an honest mistake?
'Karl Rove says President Bush really believed Iraq had WMDs. But that doesn’t excuse an action that endangered the lives of thousands.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 10, by editorial board
Russia is getting its 'sphere' back
'Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia – Russia is making progress in keeping its neighbors within its "sphere of influence."'

New York Times, 12 May 10, by editorial staff
Mr. Obama and Mr. Karzai, Take Two
'Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top commander in Afghanistan, has a clear military strategy. We are less certain about the administration’s political strategy.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 May 10, by Bradford Higgins
US in Iraq: How to get the endgame right
'If the US wants to ensure success in Iraq, it must support cultural exchange programs such as the Iraqi Women’s Fellowship Foundation.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 May 10, by Bilal Y. Saab
Why Syria will keep saying ‘no’ to Washington
'Washington’s strategy of selective engagement with Syria has not produced any tangible results. The question is: Why does Damascus continue to do the opposite of what the Obama administration wants it to?'

New York Times, 11 May 10, by James Dobbins
Talking to the Taliban
'In official American parlance, the effort to negotiate a peace accord with the Taliban leadership has been labeled reconciliation, while the process of bringing over insurgent fighters is known as reintegration. The U.S. has preferred reintegration.'

Washington Post, 04 May 10, by Walter Pincus
Israel's stance on nuclear arms complicates efforts against Iran
'How the Obama administration deals with the nettlesome problem of Israel's nuclear arsenal and the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East will determine U.S. success or failure at the NPT conference.'

Asia Times, 13 May 10, by Michael Davidson
US, China: A green security blanket?
'The security implications of climate change offer promising areas of cooperation between the US and China. ... However, US defense planners have not fully recognized the many benefits to be gained by cooperating with China on this front.'

New York Times, 11 May 10, by Robert Wright
The Making of a Terrorist
'... war-on-terror hawks need to confront the downsides, rather than act as if establishing the role of “jihadi intent” or “jihadist ideology” somehow ends the debate.'

New York Times, 05 May 10, by editorial staff
Fear Itself
'A familiar group of politicians is cynically trying to use the Times Square bomb plot as an excuse to weaken the rule of law. It would not make us safer.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 05 May 10, by Robert Mackey
Another Middle-Class Terror Suspect
'... the men plotting and carrying out many of the attacks on citizens of Western countries in recent years have been, in some sense, dual citizens of two worlds who chose to identify more fully with one by lashing out at the other.'

New York Times, 12 May 10, by Nicholas D. Kristof
Pakistan and Times Sq.
'Why does an ostensible “ally” seem to constitute more of a threat than, say, Iran? Or Lebanon or Syria or Iraq? Or Egypt, birthplace of the Muslim Brotherhood brand of militant Islam? Or the West Bank and Gaza, where resentment of America’s Middle East policies is centered?'

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Apr 10, by editorial board
Sanctions on Iran's gasoline imports? That's war talk.
'Congress is moving quickly to force Obama into blocking gasoline sales to Iran over its nuclear ambitions. A US naval blockade is the only real way to enforce that. And from Iran's point of view, that means war.'

New York Times 'At War', 27 Apr 10, by Tim Hsia
America’s Multiethnic Military
'Although the military force in Iraq is no longer called a coalition, wherever it is deployed, it is a multiethnic force that includes many soldiers who are seeking citizenship.'

PBS NewsHour, 28 Apr 10, with Jeffrey Brown
Looking Back at the Vietnam War with Author, Veteran Tim O'Brien
'Thirty five years after the conclusion of the Vietnam War, Tim O'Brien's collection of stories about an American platoon, "The Things They Carried," is being reissued as it celebrates its own 20th anniversary. Jeffrey Brown talks to the author about the experiences that led him to write the book.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Mar 10, by Walter Rodgers
War over the Arctic? Global warming skeptics distract us from security risks.
'Global warming skeptics must recognize that real -- not predicted -- climate change is already turning the Arctic into a potential military flash point. '

New York Times 'At War', 20 Apr 10, by C.J. Chivers
Putting Taliban Sniper Fire in Context
'To understand the role that Taliban snipers have — or have not — played in the larger Afghan war, a look with more sweep is necessary.'

New York Times, 20 Apr 10, by Sebastian Junger
Farewell to Korengal
'If the Korengal was really worth fighting for, why would we ever pull out? Or, conversely, why did we go there in the first place?'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Apr 10, Henry Kissinger with Nathan Gardels
US and Russia should share anti-Iran missile defense
'... about President Obama’s nuclear policies, how to deal with China, and the new alliance of BRIC countries.'

New York Times, 19 Apr 10, by editorial staff
Iran, Sanctions and the Memo
'In the last four years, the Security Council has passed three far-too-modest sanctions resolutions. Tehran has shrugged them all off and kept churning out nuclear fuel.'

Asia Times, 22 Apr 10, by Georgy Toloraya
Russia and the North Korean knot
'Denuclearization need not be vital to Russia's interests when it comes to North Korea, since under the North's present regime it is neither verifiable nor beneficial to Moscow's broader security goals. For Moscow, the present compromise is preferable to the state - which borders Russia's Far East - collapsing and being occupied by US-supported South Korean forces.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Apr 10, by editorial board
Iceland volcano ash cloud: At least Europe has a backup in trains, ferries, buses
' ... the largest shutdown of European airspace since World War II. The war comparison is an apt one, because it underscores the importance of transport as a national security issue.'

Washington Post, 16 Apr 10, by Lally Weymouth
What next for Krgyzstan?
'Last week Roza Otunbayeva led a group in Kyrgyzstan that ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev from power after protesters stormed the president's offices; at least 84 people were killed.' Otunbayeva discusses the current situation.

Washington Post, 16 Apr 10, by Eugene Robinson
Leaving one Afghan valley: What gained, at what cost?
'When the day inevitably comes when we pack up and leave Afghanistan, what will we have accomplished?'

New York Times 'At War', 15 Apr 10, by Tim Hsia
On Military Awards and Perceptions of Them
'... while a chest full of awards is an impressive display, most soldiers look beyond this when determining the ability of a fellow soldier. This is because most military awards are a sign of individual accomplishments, whereas military units are team oriented.'

Washington Post, 16 Apr 10
Eisenhower on Leadership: Ike's Enduring Lessons in Total Victory Management
Book review: 'How he successfully planned and coordinated the Allied military effort is the subject of this fascinating military history cum informative treatise on management by business writer Alan Axelrod.'

Canada Free Press, 21 Apr 10, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Four Questions for Dr. Walid Phares on the Iranian Threat Report
'Could Iran strike the continental United States in five years with a nuclear-tipped ICBM?'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr 10
Does the Obama nuclear strategy put the US at risk?
'Former Secretary of State George Shultz, a Republican, defends Obama’s nuclear strategy and discusses his vision of a world without nukes.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Apr 10, by editorial board
Nuclear treaty and an overthrow in Kyrgyzstan: two sides of Russia
'Even as Obama and Medvedev signed the START nuclear weapons treaty, Vladimir Putin was supporting the new government in Kyrgyzstan, where he wants the US to give up its military base. The US should have its eyes wide open about the promise of a "reset" in relations.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Apr 10, by Robert Marquand
Nuclear weapons: Is full disarmament possible?
'As world leaders convene in Washington for a summit on halting the spread of nuclear weapons, a global debate is rising on the merits – and feasibility – of total nuclear disarmament.'

New York Times, 06 Apr 10, by editorial staff
Mr. Obama’s Nuclear Policy
'[Obama] is taking important steps to make the world safer and bolster this country’s credibility as it tries to constrain the nuclear ambitions of Iran, North Korea and others.'

New York Times, 08 Apr 10, by Peter D. Feaver
Obama’s Nuclear Modesty
'President Obama’s new policy on the use of atomic weapons, called the Nuclear Posture Review, has brought to the public eye a longstanding debate over what’s known as “declaratory doctrine”: what the United States government is willing to say publicly and in advance about the conditions under which it will use its nuclear arsenal.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Apr 10, by editorial board
START treaty on nuclear weapons -- a first step to reset US-Russia relations
'Will the treaty lead to closer cooperation on Iran, Afghanistan, and arms control?'

Washington Post/AP, 09 Apr 10, by Robert Burns, AP
Analysis: Treaty focuses on a threat from the past
'The new U.S.-Russian atomic weapons treaty, hailed by both sides as a historic step in arms control, focuses on relics of the past and not the suitcase bomb or other devices that inspire today's nuclear nightmares.'

Washington Post, 09 Apr 10, by Charles Krauthammer
Nuclear posturing, Obama-style
'This administration seems to believe that by restricting retaliatory threats and by downgrading our reliance on nuclear weapons, it is discouraging proliferation. But the opposite is true.'

New York Times, 06 Apr 10, by Bing West
How to Save Afghanistan From Karzai
'The problem with building a new and better Afghanistan is that, above the local level, President Karzai has long held the levers of political power by controlling provincial finances and leadership appointments, including those of police chiefs. Regardless of the coalition’s success at the district level, an obdurate and erratic Mr. Karzai is an obstacle to progress.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Apr 10, by editorial board
Afghanistan war: It can't tick by the American clock
'Obama needs more patience in the Afghanistan war, especially in helping Karzai cope with the Taliban.'

New York Times 'At War', 06 Apr 10, by C.J. Chivers
Afghan Marksmanship: Pointing, Not Aiming
'Puncturing some of the legends of Afghan fighting prowess has value for at least two reasons.'

New Sudan Vision, 05 April 10, by Parek Maduot
Analysis - Bargaining with NCP at any cost is a threat to southern Sudan referendum
'The SPLM’s decision to withdraw their Presidential candidate from the race, and boycott the elections in Darfur precipitated a whole lot of confusion and controversy.'

Washington Post 'Voices', 08 Apr 10, by Jackson Diehl
Does the U.S. need to worry about Kyrgyzstan's new leader?
'The self-proclaimed interim leader of Kyrgyzstan -- an obscure Central Asian state with a very important U.S. military base -- raised some alarms in Washington ...'

Washington Post, 09 Apr 10, by Alexey Semyonov and Baktybek Abdrisaev
Out of Kyrgyzstan's chaos, another chance for democracy
'... of the former Soviet republics, Kyrgyzstan is the only nation that has forced regime change. The people are clearly willing to fight for their rights. The test now is whether the country can also provide for peaceful transitions.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Apr 10, by Mathias Mossberg and Mark LeVine
The solution for Israelis and Palestinians: a parallel state structure
'A parallel state structure for Israelis and Palestinians, not a two-state or one-state approach, has the best chance to bring lasting peace.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Apr 10, by Los Angeles Times/Global Viewpoint Network
Iyad Allawi: If Maliki tries to form a government in Iraq, chaos will ensue
'Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi discusses prospects for resolving the political impasse in Iraq and the threat of a new sectarian conflict.'

Washington Post, 11 Apr 10, by David Ignatius
The vice president bears good news from Iraq
'Biden's upbeat comments came days after a new wave of attacks raised fears that Iraq might be slipping back toward sectarian violence.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Apr 10, by Malou Innocent
The Iraq war: still a massive mistake
'The Iraq war is now being declared a success by some who point to recent progress. But the March 7 elections won’t change the tremendous cost in lives, money, US image, and geopolitics.'

Washington Post, 01 Apr 10, by David Ignatius
U.S. campaign to reform Kandahar is rife with pitfalls
'The coming battle for control of this ancient crossroads city will be the toughest challenge of the war in Afghanistan -- not because it will be bloody, necessarily, but because it will require the hardest item for U.S. commanders to deliver, which is an improvement in governance.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Mar 10, by editorial board
Moscow subway bombings: What now?
'How Russia responds to the Moscow subway bombing terrorist attacks will say much about the direction of Russia itself -- and the power-sharing relationship between Putin and Medvedev.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Mar 10, by Ariel Cohen
Moscow metro bombings: Russia should reinvent how it handles terrorism
'The recent Moscow metro bombings have deep historic and religious roots. Russia should reevaluate counterinsurgency policies, root out corruption, and counter the growth of radical Islam.'

Washington Post, 31 Mar 10, by Michael Gerson
In South Sudan, a crucial election may give birth to a nation
'The outcome of these elections may determine if South Sudan becomes the world's newest nation -- or a stillborn state, plunged back into one of history's bloodiest civil wars.'

New York Times, 31 Mar 10, by editorial staff
What France Can Do
'President Nicolas Sarkozy of France got nearly everything he could have hoped for from his visit to the United States this week. Now he needs to return the favor by significantly increasing French combat strength in Afghanistan.'

New York Times, 31 Mar 10, by Gary J. Bass
When Israel and France Broke Up
'... if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tries to push his luck on settlements or the peace process, he would do well to remember an unnerving precedent: Israel’s loss, in 1967, of what had been a robust alliance with France.'

New York Times, 26 Mar 10, by editorial staff
Mr. Obama and Israel
'... the challenges the United States and Israel face — especially Iran’s nuclear program — are too great for the leaders not to have a close working relationship.'

Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar 10, by Nathan Gardels
Israeli settlements threaten world security
'Israelis should work toward a government of national unity, and not one beholden to the extreme right -- whose policies threaten world security.' A converstion with Zbigniew Brzezinski.'

Washington Post, 23 Mar 10, by Dana Milbank
Settlements strain Israel's relationships with U.S. and Hillary Clinton
'The cool treatment of an old friend is something AIPAC can ill afford at a time when there are so many actual foes to deal with.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Mar 10, by John Yemma
You say conspiracy, I say 'oops'
'From JFK to WMD, conspiracy theories intrigue Americans. But bumbling is usually the best explanation.'

New Yorker, 29 Mar 10 issue, by Jane Mayer
Counterfactual: A curious history of the C.I.A.’s secret interrogation program.
Review of “Courting Disaster” by Marc A. Thiesse

PBS NewsHour, 16 Mar 10, with Jeffrey Brown
U.S.-Israeli Dispute Raises Questions on Fate of Mideast Talks
'Recent rifts in U.S.-Israeli relations have raised new questions on the Mideast peace process and the state of diplomacy in the region. Jeffrey Brown gets two views on the deepening tensions.'

Washington Post, 21 Mar 10, by Howard Gardner et al
On Leadership
'Any response to recent slights by China and Israel must be measured against the Obama administration's long-term foreign policy goals.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Mar 10, by editorial board
Israel crisis: US must keep up the pressure
'Obama must persuade Israel that peace with the Palestinians is a 'vital' interest, and not merely a common one.'

Washington Post, 17 Mar 10, by Ahmed Rashid
Why the U.S. must talk to the Taliban
'The United States still sees the battle in Afghanistan as a two-sided counterinsurgency, and its focus is on the military situation. In fact, Afghanistan is facing multidimensional threats involving all of its key neighbors.'

Christian Science Monitor, 16 Mar 10, by John Hughes
The Castro-Chávez link: What are 30,000 Cuban advisers doing in Venezuela?
'The Obama administration has dismissed Venezuela's Hugo Chávez as a pesky loudmouth. But he imperils regional security and freedom.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar 10, by Greg Mills
Liberia: What it takes to push peace-building to the next level
'Liberia shows that recovery is complicated and hard – but possible.'

Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar 10, by editorial board
Obama's (now delayed) trip to Indonesia: Can he make it an ally?
'The Obama trip to Indonesia can build a bridge to the world's largest Muslim country, countering Al Qaeda-tied militants in Southeast Asia. It can also counter China's expansion in the region.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Mar 10, by Walter Rodgers
Beyond Iraq and Afghanistan, does Washington see the lurking threats against America?
'Though focused on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US must mind other trouble spots..

New York Times 'Room for Debate', 18 Mar 10, by the editors
Behind the New U.S. Terror Cases
'Several terrorism cases in recent months have involved American citizens or residents, many from backgrounds that do not fit the expected profile of a jihadist.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar 10, by David M. Abshire
NATO renewal requires European courage on Afghanistan
'NATO reform can’t come fast enough. European leaders must step up and persuade the public of the importance of the Afghan mission and the threat of Al Qaeda.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar 10, by Stephanie T. Kleine-Ahlbrandt
Why China drags its feet on UN sanctions against Iran
'China will work to water down any Security Council resolution though a delay-and-weaken strategy that maximizes concessions from both Iran and the West.'

Wall Street Journal, 05 Mar 10, by Gerald F. Seib
An Expert's Long View on Iran
'Iran is both today's paramount foreign-policy challenge, and a quandary of the first order. Its nuclear program keeps expanding, its concern about international opprobrium seems limited, and nobody can be sure the United Nations Security Council will find the courage to impose more economic sanctions.'

New York Times, 13 Mar 10, by Mikhail Gorbachev
Perestroika Lost
'Opinion polls today confirm that even those who criticize perestroika and its leaders appreciate the gains it allowed: the rejection of the totalitarian system; freedom of speech, assembly, religion and movement; and political and economic pluralism.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar 10, by Richard L. Scott
War without death? How non-lethal weapons could change warfare
'Using non-lethal weapons in Iraq and Afghanistan would support US efforts to demonstrate restraint and would reduce the catastrophic effects associated with war.'

New York Times 'At War', 11 Mar 10, by Tim Hsia
Virtual Reality War
'The military has experimented with video games and virtual reality for many years, and perhaps one day in the not-too-distant future the science fiction of “Avatar” will become reality.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar 10, by Sarah Holewinski and James Morin
Afghanistan war: New rules of engagement don't pit civilians vs. soldiers
'New rules of engagement in Afghanistan that are designed to better protect civilians will safeguard US soldiers, too.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Mar 10, by Taraneh Ghajar Jerven
Navy submarines: What’s really in the way of women serving?
'If mixing crew genders can work for NASA, Canada, and Norway, it can work on a Navy submarine.'

Haaretz, 03 Mar 10, by Amira Hass
How will the next Palestinian uprising look?
'Judging from articles written by both Israelis and Palestinians, the next intifada is already in the air. They are predicting it is on the way and the most punctilious know it will be "popular."'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Mar 10, by John Prendergast and Omer Ismail
Genocide in Darfur: How Sudan covers it up
'Genocide in Darfur may be a debated legal question, but there's no denying that Sudan is working to cover up its crimes against human rights there.'

New York Times 'Opinionator', 01 Mar 10, by Maurice Decaul
Home Fires: Writing and Rewriting Iraq
'This is the first in a five-part series, “Retelling the War,” in which veterans discuss how books, movies and other tales of combat shaped their perceptions of themselves and of war.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb 10, by editorial board
Obama and India-Pakistan talks: US can be a better go-between
'The Feb. 25 India-Pakistan talks, while welcome, did not go well. The US must intervene in this South Asian rivalry to keep it from affecting the Afghanistan war.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Feb 10, by Daniel A. Bell
China’s alternative to Communism and democracy
'In China, Communism has lost the capacity to inspire. Enter Confucianism.'

Christian Science Monitor, 16 Feb 10, by Martin Jacques
US vs. China: a dangerous phase has begun
'China is a formidable adversary whose ultimate strength is not its military hardware but its economic prowess, and whose diplomatic weapon is not saber rattling but great patience.'

PBS NewsHour, 19 Feb 10, with Judy Woodruff
In Afghanistan, Forces Face Tough Task of Extracting Taliban From Marjah
'Several NATO deaths have been reported as the fight in the Taliban in stronghold of Marjah wraps up its first week. Judy Woodruff gets an update on progress in the region from a marine reserves staff sergeant who served in Afghanistan and a military journalist.'

New York Times 'At War', 18 Feb 10, by Timothy Hsia
Success in Marja Will Hinge on Civilian Surge
'While the Battle of Marja has so far displayed how the ongoing troop surge in Afghanistan has given Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal additional flexibility in manpower by pushing into Taliban-held territories, the forthcoming months will indicate if the proposed complementary civilian surge was merely a talking point or an actual enabler.'

New York Times 'At War', 19 Feb 10, by C.J. Chivers
Just Who Are We Fighting in Marja?
'Many leaders were said to have left ahead of the American-led attack, although several pre-assault raids and reconnaissance patrols into the enclave by Special Operations units had found that the Taliban had left a significant ground force of gunmen within the territory ...'

Washington Post, 20 Feb 10, by editorial staff
Clamping down on Iran's nuclear ambitions
'There are ... two pieces of good news amid all the bad -- something the Obama administration and its allies are badly in need of at a time when the effort to stop Tehran's nuclear program is showing little progress.'

Washington Post, 20 Feb 10, by R. Jeffrey Smith and Peter Finn
How spy technologies foil old-school political killings
'The practice of secretly assassinating purported enemies of the state -- an age-old tool of foreign policy -- has run up against steadily improving international police collaboration and the global proliferation of surveillance technologies that make it harder for anyone anywhere to surreptitiously conduct a high-profile killing on foreign soil.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb 10, by Marisa L. Porges
What happens after Guantánamo?
'President Obama must ensure that US detention is a tactical necessity, not a strategic liability.'

Washington Post, 12 Feb 10, by Michael Gerson
Guantanamo prison: Ugly but necessary
'Gitmo has cost America its symbolism, but getting rid of it could cost even more.'

Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb 10, by Gregory M. Lamb
The pros and cons of a robot army
'The question of whether to deploy on the battlefield armed robots that would make their own decisions has raised many ethical questions ...'

Washington Post, 11 Feb 10, by editorial staff
Showdown in Tehran
'The regime would like to avoid new sanctions that could deepen the popular unrest and so tries, successfully so far, to drive a wedge between Western governments and China.'

PBS NewsHour, 10 Feb 10, with Margaret Warner
Should the U.S. Be Talking to the Taliban?
Even as the U.S. ramps up its military campaign in Afghanistan, American and Afghan officials are pursuing political solutions to reconcile with the Taliban and end eight years of violence. Though Taliban leaders say they aren't open to negotiation, Afghan and U.N. officials have forged ahead with private talks.

New York Times, 10 Feb 10, by editorial staff
The Challenge of China
'There is little hope of progress — on the global economy, global warming or Iran’s nuclear ambitions — unless Washington and Beijing work harder to manage their differences.'

New York Times, 09 Feb 10, by editorial staff
Time’s Up
'If the Security Council can’t act swiftly, or decisively, to impose sanctions on Iran, the United States and its allies must come up with their own tough resolutions.'

New York Times, 08 Feb 10, by Adam B. Lowther
Iran’s Two-Edged Bomb
'... we should admit that Washington’s approach to countering the Islamic Republic is leading nowhere.'

New York Times, 04 Feb 10, by editorial staff
The Defense Budget
'The Quadrennial Defense Review, released this week, finally catches up with the current world, one where the United States confronts a host of different adversaries on a variety of different battlefields.'

New York Times, 04 Feb 10, by Mikhail Gorbachev
Soviet Lessons From Afghanistan
'What began after Sept. 11, 2001, as a seemingly appropriate military response aimed at rooting out terrorism could end in a major strategic failure. We need to understand why this is happening and what can still be done to turn around a nearly disastrous situation.'

New York Times, 04 Feb 10, by John Hutton and Klaus Naumann
Defending Our Defense
'Defense and security policies are entering a critically important phase of development. ... Change is in the air, and inevitably a mood of uncertainty has developed.'

Washington Post, 05 Feb 10, by Benjamin Wittes and Robert Chesne
The courts' shifting rules on Guantanamo detainees
'President Obama's decision not to seek additional legislative authority for Guantanamo detentions, along with Congress's lack of interest in taking on the subject, means that, for good or for ill, judges must write the rules governing military detentions of terrorist suspects.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Feb 10, by Cristian DeFrancia
How Obama could change the game on Iran
'If the Iranian people can more clearly see the benefits offered by negotiations, Iran's leaders will be more likely to compromise to get talks going again.'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Feb 10, by editorial board
Obama’s new hardball with China, Iran
'The White House shifts from conciliatory diplomacy to get-tough actions, notably in arms sales to Taiwan and in stiffer sanctions on Iran for its nuclear deceit. Obama can no longer appear to be weak, but then again, there are risks to adopting a confrontational style.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Feb 10, by Walter Rodgers
Survivors know best: Torture is always wrong
'It’s immoral and it doesn’t make anyone more secure. Just ask those who’ve been tortured.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Nov 09, by John Hughes
Why Hillary Clinton babies Indonesia and bullies Pakistan
'Indonesia has shown it can develop democracy and confront extremists on its own. Pakistan clearly needs sharp reminders.'

New York Times 'Opinionator', 28 Jan 10, by Erik Malmstrom
A Loss of Faith in Afghanistan
'... a fatal flaw plagues the counterinsurgency strategy adopted by the president: the more the U.S. and its allies deepen their involvement and commitment in Afghanistan, the more they undercut the Afghan sense of ownership, accountability and sustainability that will determine the long-term fate of the mission.'

The Times (London), 28 Jan 10
Karzai’s Question Time
'Britain is paying a heavy price for its effort in Afghanistan. The least it can expect of the London conference is a clear programme from the Afghan President.'

New York Times, 28 Jan 10, by editorial staff
Japan and the American Bases
'It took the United States and Japan a decade to negotiate a deal that would reduce the number of American troops on Okinawa and reposition those that remain. Japan’s new prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, is refusing, so far, to commit to the agreement, and the Obama administration is being less than patient. Before any serious damage is done to this important alliance, both countries must work harder to find a compromise.'

Christian Science Monitor, 25 Jan 10, by Micah Zenko and Michael Levi
Three steps to reducing nuclear terrorism
'America’s nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear terrorism are interconnected. How the US handles its arsenal must change.'

New York Times, 22 Jan 10, by editorial staff
Pakistan Hesitates, Again
'During his visit to Pakistan this week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates pressed Pakistan’s military leaders to open a new front against Afghan militants using Pakistani territory to stage attacks into Afghanistan — and was promptly rebuffed.'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan 10, by Robert Marquand
Interview: former French diplomat Hubert Védrine on China and a West 'in disarray'
'Former Foreign Minister Hubert Védrine, author of History Strikes Back, offers a realist view on a central challenge for Europe and the United States: the rise of China.'

Washington Post, 19 Jan 10, by Scott Wilson
One year later: How Obama has learned to become a wartime commander in chief
'[Obama] has emerged as a president uncomfortable with the swagger and rhetoric traditionally used to rally troops, favoring an image of public solemnity as he wrestles with the moral consequences of war.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Jan 10, by Michael Horton
Q&A: Is Yemen the next Afghanistan?
'... the regional offshoot of Al Qaeda appears to have no ties with rebels and secessionists challenging Yemen’s central government.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jan 10, by Suat Kinkiloğlu
Israel must get used to the new Turkey
'Unless Israel improves the humanitarian situation in Gaza, tension between Turkey and Israel will remain.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jan 10, by editorial board
Obama's second try at Mideast peace talks
'He follows a risky strategy by pushing Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate "final status" issues such as borders and Jerusalem. He’s also showing commitment.'

Washington Post, 14 Jan 10, by John Pomfret
U.S. faces long odds in improved relations with Asia
'... the Obama administration faces tough odds as it seeks to improve the standing of the United States in a vast region that does more trade with America than any other and that is the home to the biggest U.S. airbase outside the United States.'

New York Times, 13 Jan 10, by Richard Bernstein
Intelligence Has Its Limitations
'... the truth is that we’ve known for at least 48 years that intelligence alone is never going to stop attacks on the United States.'

New York Times, 12 Jan 10, by Scott Shane
A Year of Terror Plots, Through a 2nd Prism
'The enemies on American soil in 2009 were a scattered group of amateurs who displayed more fervor than skill.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Jan 10, by Oliver Roy
Connecting the terrorist dots of 2009
'They show that Al Qaeda does not have a political strategy for establishing an Islamic state.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Jan 10, by Jean-Louis Bruguiere
What Obama could learn from France about stopping terrorists
'To defend itself from terrorist attacks, the US should go on the offensive with a proactive strategy, like France.'

New York Review of Books, 04 Jan 10, by David Shulman
Gaza & the Israeli Peace Movement: One Year Later
'It’s easy to be cynical about Gaza, cynical about whatever you choose to focus on: Israeli policy, the misery of Hamas rule, the fortunes acquired by the tunnel-smugglers, the suppression of dissent within Israel, the gratuitous cruelty of the ongoing siege. None of it makes sense unless you bring in the larger picture of the occupation and the steadfast reluctance of Israeli governments to make peace.'

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Dec 09, by Jordan Michael Smith
What the Soviets learned in Afghanistan about assumptions
'As the US escalates a new war in Afghanistan, it should consider how easy it is to mistake desperation for aggression.'

New York Review of Books, 23 Dec 09, by David Cole
Obama & the Guantanamo Mess: A Way Out?
'“War on Terror” advocates complain that we shouldn’t be bringing dangerous terrorists into the United States, and that to do so, especially when coupled with the decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed for the 9/11 attacks in a civilian criminal court in New York, is to abandon the “war paradigm” that should govern our approach to dealing with al Qaeda.'

Stratfor, 04 Jan 10, by George Friedman
The Christmas Day Airliner Attack and the Intelligence Process
'... three things emerge. First, although the capabilities of jihadist terrorists have declined, their organizations remain functional, and there is no guarantee that these organizations won’t increase in sophistication and effectiveness. Second, the militants remain focused on the global air transport system. Third, the defensive mechanisms devised since 2001 remain ineffective to some degree.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Jan 10, by Howard LaFranchi
Yemen sharpens debate: Are wars the answer to terrorism?
'Critics say the US has put too much emphasis on large-scale military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yemen shows that Al Qaeda is too agile to be defeated by such a 'whack a mole' strategy, they say.'

Washington Post, 05 Jan 10, by Anne Applebaum
Still throwing money at doubtful tools for airport security
'... since the hurried and heavily politicized creation of the Department of Homeland Security and its junior partner, the Transportation Security Administration, neither their priorities nor their spending patterns has been subject to serious scrutiny.'

New York Times 'Room for Debate', 04 Jan 10, by the editors
Will Profiling Make a Difference?
'Does it make sense to concentrate security efforts on more limited populations — through profiling, behavioral or otherwise? Is profiling effective, compared to other strategies?'

2009 Commentary and Analysis archive