Greater Middle East
Yemen: war comes to capital
A suicide attack on the defense ministry thrust Yemen briefly into the news—as an invisible sectarian war rages across much of the countryside.
Tag: drones
Afghanistan
Karzai punts on US ‘security agreement’
Afghan President Hamid Karzai rejected the Loya Jirga's recommendation that he sign an agreement extending the US troop presence, citing continued civilian casualties.
Afghanistan
Pakistan Taliban leader killed in drone strike?
Pakistani Taliban commander Hakimullah Mehsud is reported killed in a drone strike—days after drone attack survivors gave emotional testimony before the US Congress.
Palestine
Israeli air-strikes target northern Gaza
Israeli air-strikes targeted the northern Gaza Strip after militants fired rockets into Israelāthe first such exchanges in over two months.
Afghanistan
US must investigate Pakistan drone strikes: Amnesty
Amnesty International urged the US to conduct a thorough, independent investigation into allegations that CIA drone strikes have resulted in recent civilian casualties in Pakistan.
Afghanistan
Malala Yousafzai: still a hero!
Malala Yousafzai has not been co-opted by international accolades, as evidenced by her protests against US drone strikesāto President Obama’s very face.
Africa
US sea raid on Somali rebel stronghold
US forces launched a night raid on a rebel-held town in Somalia’s southern Lower Shabelle region from the seaāapparently an effort to kill the leader of the Shabaab.
Watching the Shadows
UN SG: US drone strikes must comply with international law
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon insisted that US drone strikes must operate within international law, and make “every effort to avoid mistakes and civilian casualties.”
Palestine
Egypt: Israeli drone strike on Sinai peninsula?
Egyptian militant group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis claimed that a strike that killed four of its fighters in the Sinai peninsula was carried out by an Israeli drone.
Greater Middle East
Yemen: US terror alert enflaming conflict?
The closing of the US embassy in Yemen has coinicided with drone strikes and clashes in Marib province, and a gun-battle between rival factions in the capital Sanaa.
Watching the Shadows
Obama addresses drone strikes, steps to close Gitmo
President Obama’s speech outlining plans to restrict drone strikes and renew efforts to close GuantĆ”namo Bay did little more than reiterate existing policy.
Watching the Shadows
Barbara Lee: repeal AUMF to stop ‘perpetual war’
Rep. Barbara Lee called for the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force to be repealed, warning that the alternative could be a “state of perpetual war forever.”