East Asia

Global execution stats: good news, bad news

The latest Amnesty International report on global use of the death penalty shows a decline last year—but China's massive statistics are kept secret and therefore not factored in.

Watching the Shadows

Families of 9-11 victims sue Saudi Arabia

More than 850 family members of 9-11 victims filed a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, alleging that the kingdom provided support to al-Qaeda in multiple ways.

Greater Middle East

Saudis behind Somali refugee massacre: reports

More than 40 Somali refugees were killed when an Apache helicopter fired on a boat in the Red Sea off war-torn Yemen, but the Saudi-led coalition denies responsibility.

Watching the Shadows

Trump restores CIA authority for drone strikes

Trump has restored the CIA's authority to conduct secret drone strikes, reversing the Obama policy of transfering responsibility to the Pentagon in the interest of greater transparency.

Greater Middle East

Saudi Arabia: seven years for tweeting

Saudi Arabia's specialized anti-terrorist court handed down a seven-year term for a Twitter post deemed insulting to the ruling al-Saud family.

Watching the Shadows

Obama’s final year: a CounterVortex scorecard

With a Trump despotism looming, CounterVortex offers its final assessment of Barack Obama's record in addressing the oppressive legacy of the Global War on Terrorism.

Greater Middle East

Saudi air-strikes kill over 90 at Yemen prison

Air-strikes carried out by the Saudi-led coalition killed at least 90 inmates at a prison controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen's Red Sea port of Hudaydah. 

Greater Middle East

Yemen and Syria: fearful symmetry

Russian counterinsurgency in Syria mirrors US-backed counterinsurgency in Yemen, betraying superpower rivalry and "cooperation" alike as inimical to the region's revolutions.

Greater Middle East

Growing internationalization of Yemen war

The US fired missiles at Houthi-controlled radar installations in Yemen after the rebels fired rockets at a US destroyer in retaliation for a deadly Saudi air-strike on a funeral.

Watching the Shadows

Congress overrides veto of 9-11 bill

The US Congress voted overwhelmingly to override President Obama's veto of a bill that will allow the families of 9-11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia.

Watching the Shadows

Obama vetoes bill approving 9-11 lawsuits

Obama vetoed a bill that would have allowed 9-11 victims and their families to sue Saudi Arabia, citing concerns that it would open US diplomats and servicemen to suit abroad.

Watching the Shadows

House approves 9-11 suits against Saudi Arabia

The House of Representatives approved the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, allowing US nationals to sue foreign governments believed to have a hand in attacks.