US releases results of 13,000-mph test flight over Pacific

The results are in from last summer’s attempt to test new technology that would provide the Pentagon with a lightning-fast vehicle, capable of delivering a military strike anywhere in the world in less than an hour.

In August the Pentagon’s research arm, known as (more…)

Panetta: Assad “will be taken down”

U.S. military leaders clearly expressed reluctance about using American might to stop the unending violence in Syria, insisting that diplomacy remains the best option to force President Bashar Assad to end the brutal crackdown on his own people. (more…)

Sanctions halved Syria’s foreign reserves; France

Western sanctions have halved Syria’s foreign reserves and should be stepped up to force Damascus to comply with a U.N.-backed peace plan, France’s foreign minister said on Tuesday. (more…)

North Korea’s rocket launch ended quickly in failure

North Korea’s much-anticipated rocket launch ended quickly in failure early Friday, splintering into pieces over the Yellow Sea soon after takeoff, according to South Korean and U.S. officials. (more…)

Obama’s signal to Iran

By David Ignatius
President Obama has signaled Iran that the U.S. would accept an Iranian civilian nuclear program if Ayatollah Khamenei can back up his recent public claim that his nation “will never pursue nuclear weapons.”

‘Merchant of Death’ sentenced to 25 years by US judge

Arms dealer Viktor Bout, dubbed the “merchant of death”, has been sentenced to 25 years in jail by a US judge.

During the sentencing, the ex-Soviet officer shouted “It’s a lie” as the prosecution said he had agreed to sell weapons to kill Americans. (more…)

Indian Hezbollah agent found guilty in America

An Indian citizen, living ”illegally” in the US, has been found guilty by a US court of providing material support to Lebanese group Hezbollah and faces a maximum sentence of 75 years in prison.

Patrick Nayyar, 48, was convicted after a week-long jury trial before US District Judge Robert Sweet. He was found guilty of five counts related to the support he attempted to provide to Hezbollah, which has been designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US. (more…)

US urges Syria to take positive steps towards ceasefire

The United States on Wednesday accused Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad of failing to fulfill a pledge to respect a UN-Arab League peace plan. (more…)

Iran, Hizballah, and the Threat to the U.S. Homeland

By Matthew Levitt
Should Hizballah decide to carry out attacks on U.S. soil in the event of a military confrontation with Iran, it has the capacity to do so.

Syrian rebels to receive “non-lethal” assistance from Obama

Seeking to stem the violence in Syria, the U.S. and other key allies are considering providing Syrian rebels with communications help, medical aid and other “non-lethal” assistance. (more…)