Guy Taylor
Articles by Guy Taylor
Feinstein readies release of damning report on CIA terror programs
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein is seeking to draw maximum media attention as she prepares the to release "over the coming days" of the panel's long anticipated and highly critical report on harsh CIA interrogation tactics used on terror suspects after the 9/11 attacks. Published December 5, 2014
Putin’s push to reinstate Soviet power will grow, ex-CIA chief says
The former top CIA official is warning that even if Russian President Vladimir Putin were to measurably tone down his expansionist rhetoric in the near term, his push to grow Russia's influence over former Soviet states "seems only to have just begun." Published December 4, 2014
White House confirms failed secret mission to rescue American held by al Qaeda
The Obama administration revealed Thursday that a secret mission launched by U.S. forces inside Yemen last month failed to rescue American Luke Somers — held hostage by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula since September 2013. Published December 4, 2014
Iran airstrikes target Islamic State; John Kerry sees participation as ‘net positive’
Iranian fighter jets have begun pounding Islamic State targets, and France said Wednesday that it will ramp up its airstrikes as a U.S.-led coalition met for the first time since the extremists began seizing swaths of Iraq and Syria nearly a year ago. Published December 3, 2014
John Kerry admits: U.S. wants Iran’s help in bombing Islamic State
Secretary of State John F. Kerry effectively gave the green light Wednesday for Iran to use direct military force against the Islamic State movement in Iraq, but said there are no plans for U.S. forces to coordinate with their Iranian counterparts in battling the extremists. Published December 3, 2014
Syria refugees go hungry as wealthy nations fail to deliver millions in promised aid
Wealthy nations that pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to refugees of Syria's civil war haven't come through with the money, according to data compiled by the top U.N. agency tracking the funds. Published December 2, 2014
Islamic State opening front in North Africa
In its war to create a caliphate across Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State is opening a front in North Africa, where affiliated militants are wreaking havoc in eastern Libya and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula — presenting a complex challenge for Washington and its allies in the region. Published November 27, 2014
Eerie lack of terror chatter this Thanksgiving, but feds keep ‘vigilant’
U.S. authorities say there's no specific "chatter" indicating an imminent terrorist plot targeting the American homeland, but intelligence and law enforcement officials are staying vigilant around Thanksgiving — which arrives just weeks after the Department of Homeland Security cited an enhanced threat of "lone" wolf attacks in the United States. Published November 26, 2014
Pentagon to send more troops to Afghanistan as NATO comes up short
The Obama administration plans to add up to 1,000 troops to the U.S. ground forces that will remain in Afghanistan next year in order to fill a gap left by NATO partners. Published November 25, 2014
Islamic State pocketed as much as $45 million in ransoms in past year
The Islamic State has raked in as much as $45 million in ransom payments over the past year, a U.N. counterterrorism official says, Published November 25, 2014
Iran nuclear talks extension gives Republicans time to press for increased sanctions
President Obama's willingness to extend by seven months the talks on ending Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions thrusts any final decision on the matter into a new year when Republicans will have control of both chambers of Congress and be able to press their own efforts at increasing sanctions or other pressures on Tehran. Published November 24, 2014
Michele Flournoy is front-runner to replace Chuck Hagel as Defense Secretary
President Obama's short list of possible replacements for outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel includes Michele Flournoy as its front-runner, sources close to the administration said Monday, creating the possibility that the former undersecretary of defense for policy could become the first women to head the Pentagon. Published November 24, 2014
U.S., Iran may extend nuclear talks
U.S. and Iranian officials appeared close on Sunday to extending the high-stakes talks over Iran's disputed nuclear program after failing to meet a self-imposed deadline for a deal that would open the program to close international scrutiny in exchange for a withdrawal of crippling Western sanctions on Tehran. Published November 23, 2014
House GOP leader pushes for U.S. arms to go directly to Iraqi Kurds fighting ISIS
A key House Republican is pushing the Obama administration to expand U.S. military support to Kurdish peshmerga fighters in the battle against the Islamic State. Published November 20, 2014
Iran: Nuclear negotiating position strengthened by Russia deal
Iran's top nuclear official says a recent deal for Russia to build two new nuclear power plants in the Islamic republic has strengthened Tehran's hand at the nuclear negotiating table with other world powers. Published November 20, 2014
Hamas says ‘intifada’ against Jews in Israel will continue
A senior Hamas leader says the U.S.-designated terrorist group plans to push ahead with a violent intifada in Israel and called Tuesday's grisly attack on a synagogue in Jerusalem a "natural retort" to "Israeli crimes" against Palestinians. Published November 19, 2014
NATO: Russia engaged in ‘serious military buildup’ near Ukrainian border
The head of NATO warned Tuesday that, in addition to deploying forces and military equipment into eastern Ukraine, Moscow is now engaged in a "serious military buildup" on the Russian side of the border with Ukraine. Published November 18, 2014
Israeli-Palestinian tension at highest point since summer war
President Obama condemned "strongly" the attacks Tuesday that killed four worshipers at a synagogue in Jerusalem, including three Americans. Published November 18, 2014
State Department cyber attack prompts shutdown of email system
The State Department computer system fell victim to a cyber attack during recent weeks, according to U.S. officials who say the incident prompted a full shutdown of the department's unclassified email system and occurred around the same time hackers penetrated systems at the White House. Published November 17, 2014
Taiwan-U.S. trade may benefit from GOP-led Senate
A top Taiwanese development official says Taipei is optimistic the Republican takeover of the U.S. Senate will accelerate Washington's pursuit of a free trade pact between the West and Asia, and is hopeful about the prospects of a direct U.S.-Taiwan deal. Published November 16, 2014