North Africa

Tunisia frees Benghazi attack suspect

A Tunisian court unconditionally released Ali Harzi, the only suspect held in custody over the deadly attack on the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi.

North Africa

Mali: regime, rebels both divided

As Mali’s prime minister is removed by the junta, Ansar Dine rebels are embraced in peace talks—while the MUJAO rebels are sanctioned by the UN as an al-Qaeda front.

Greater Middle East

Syria: Nusra Front makes ‘terrorist’ list

The US government added Syria's al-Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant to the "foreign terrorist organizations" list, placing sanctions on two of its senior leaders.

North Africa

Mali: final bid to avoid intervention?

Mali’s government is in talks with Islamist rebels who control the country’s north, while Gen. Carter Ham in Washington warned that al-Qaeda has established a haven in the country.

Greater Middle East

Amnesty: human rights ‘catastrophe’ in Yemen

A report by Amnesty International documents a "raft of gross and deeply disturbing abuses" committed by both Islamist rebels and government forces in the battle for southern Yemen.

Afghanistan

Pakistan to Lebanon: Shi’ites under attack

Bomb attacks on Shi’ite processions marking Ashura claimed lives in Pakistan, while Sunnis and Shi’ites clashed in Kabul and a planned attack on Shi’ites was thwarted  in Lebanon.

Iraq

Iraq exports Islamist militants to Syria?

Arabic-language news services report that 15 accused al-Qaeda members who recently escaped from a prison in Tikrit, Iraq, are now leading insurgent groups in Syria. 

North Africa

Petraeus prostration: Benghazi blowback?

David Petraeus was scheduled to testify before Congress on the Benghazi attack when he was brought down by a sex scandal. Did the FBI instrument the revelation to silence him?

North Africa

Obama and Romney both fudged facts on Libya

In last night's debate, both Obama and Romney engaged in distortions over the question of when the deadly attack on the consulate in Benghazi was deemed "terrorism."