Iran

Until recently, the United States has lacked a quick-reaction, kick-in-the-door crisis force. The 82nd Airborne is changing that, and with upheaval boiling across the Mideast, perhaps just in time.

Tiananmen Square or Tahrir Square: Why Some Protests End in Bloodshed, Others in Regime Change

-Jeffrey Weiss

Social scientists offer theories on why government responses to political uprisings may be taking a nonviolent course -- at least in some countries.

At Risk in Egypt's Turmoil: U.S. Military Access to the Middle East

The rulers who emerge from Egypt's escalating power struggle may not welcome the U.S. military. That would be 'a strategic disaster,'as one observer put it.

Mobs and Democracy: The Facebook-Twitter-YouTube Revolution

-Donna Trussell

Twitter, Facebook and YouTube can supply the tools for change, but it's real, live humans with red blood to spill who must supply the courage.

U.S. Spent Billions Arming Egypt; Would Schools and Jobs Have Been Wiser Investments?

The United States invested heavily in Egypt's powerful army. Many argue a better strategy would have been to help expand political and economic opportunity for Egyptians.

Law Allows U.S. Firms to Skirt Sanctions, Do Business in Iran, Other Rogue Nations

-Politics Daily Staff

A 10-year-old law allows some food and medical products to go to countries seen as state sponsors of terrorism -- if the exports are in line with U.S. foreign policy goals, the New York Times reports.

Celebrities Call on Iran to Free Ashtiani, Who Faces Death by Stoning

-Delia Lloyd

Sting and Robert Redford were among 80 stars to sign an ad in the Times of London demanding the release of the 43-year-old woman. Human rights groups say she was coerced into confessing murder and adultery.

Hillary Clinton Says Iran's Foreign Minister Snubbed Her at Meeting

-Tom Kavanagh

The secretary of state was snubbed twice when she tried to speak with her Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, during a recent dinner in Bahrain.

WikiLeaks Case: Lawbreakers 'Will Be Held Accountable,' Eric Holder Vows

-Politics Daily Staff

The United States "deeply regrets" the "alleged leaks" of classified information in 250,000 U.S. State Department cables by the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday.

WikiLeaks Reaction in Europe: Dismay, Concern but Not Much Alarm

-Delia Lloyd

Reaction in Europe to the latest document dump ranged from dismay that the U.S. cannot be trusted to keep private matters confidential to laughter from Silvio Berlusconi, who learned American diplomats see him as "feckless" and "vain."

In War With Iran, B-1s Would Be Vital

The B-1 bomber came of age in the Cold War era, but the "Bone," with its ability to fly low and evade enemy radars, is likely to be the weapon presidents turn to in crises for many years to come.

White House Ups the Ante With Iran to Save Woman From Hanging

-Eleanor Clift

It's pretty clear that Iran's treatment of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has made her a pawn in the much bigger geopolitical fight between Iran and the West.