Gunmen Kill Government Stalwart in Syrian Capital

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/world/middleeast/syrian-general-killed-by-gunmen-in-damascus.html?_r=1&hp Summary Three assassins ambushed a military general on streets of Damascus on Saturday. The Syrian government announced that this was another step away from those violent riots and protests. The general, Dr. Issa al-Khouli, a physician and brigadier general who ran the military hospital ...

Pentagon to ease restrictions on women in some combat roles

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-to-ease-restrictions-on-women-in-some-combat-roles/2012/02/09/gIQAwnL41Q_story.html Summary The Pentagon will still maintain the bans women have on serving in most ground combat. Defense officials announced that, in spite of the pressure from lawmakers and female veterans saying that the restrictions are outdated, they will still maint...

Breakthrough on Austerity Clears Way for Greek Deal

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/business/global/breakthrough-on-austerity-cuts-clears-way-for-greek-deal.html?hp Summary Greek political leaders reached a deal on Thursday to support austerity demanded by Greece's financial bankers in return for the country's latest bailout. It is predicted to be approximately $172 billion in loans to save Greece from a financial budget deficit. Once the deal is...

U.S. likely to scale down plans for bases in Japan and Guam

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-likely-to-scale-down-plans-for-bases-in-japan-and-guam/2012/02/08/gIQAjEPI0Q_story_1.html Summary The U.S. military will be likely to scale back plans to build bases in Japan and Guam due to political obstacles and budget pressures. On Wednesday, the U.S. government agreed with Japanese officials that the they will withdraw 8,000 Marines fro...

U.S. and Israel Split on Speed of Iran Threat

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/world/middleeast/us-and-israel-split-over-how-to-deter-iran.html?_r=1&hp Summary The United States and Israel have a different opinion over a fundamental question: whether Iran's crucial nuclear facilities are about to become impregnable. The Israeli defense minister, Ehud Barak, believes that it could no longer hold Iran from an attack because Iran's effort t...