Guy Taylor
Articles by Guy Taylor
Zied Ladhairi says Tunisia’s economic success critical to its survival
The tiny North African nation of Tunisia has overcome tremendous security odds to uphold a fragile democracy since 2011, but it now needs serious economic growth to thrive as the lone success story of the otherwise ill-fated Arab Spring. Published October 15, 2017
Tensions soar between Kurds and Baghdad
Fears of a new civil war in Iraq -- pitting the autonomous Kurdish region against the Iraqi central government -- reached new heights Friday, with both sides engaging in tense troop movements around the disputed oil-rich city of Kirkuk. Published October 13, 2017
Donald Trump’s decision on Iran nuclear deal brings uncertainty
President Trump will take a leap into the diplomatic unknown Friday if -- as expected -- he strikes a blow at the 2015 deal that the Obama administration and other global powers reached with Iran to curb its nuclear activities. Published October 12, 2017
ISIS draws battle to Libya; U.S. military responds
The U.S. military is ramping up operations and bombing raids against the Islamic State in Libya, where the terrorist group's fighters have increasingly found refuge as their territorial base shrinks in Syria and Iraq. Published October 11, 2017
U.S. officials ramp up rhetoric against Iran-backed Hezbollah
U.S. officials elevated their public condemnation of Hezbollah on Tuesday, adding two of the Iran-backed terror group's top operatives to a special State Department most-wanted list and asserting that all of the group's factions -- even those holding political office in Lebanon -- are part of the same terrorist operation. Published October 10, 2017
Iran’s hard-liners hit back as Trump weighs nuclear deal fate
As Iranian leaders weigh how to respond to President Trump's expected move to decertify the 2015 nuclear deal, hardliners in Tehran are seizing the moment of uncertainty to target Washington with a new dose of harsh rhetoric. Published October 9, 2017
After Donald Trump’s threats, Iran signals willingness to talk about ballistic missile
Iran is signaling that it is open to diplomatic talks on its ballistic missile arsenal after increasing threats by President Trump to pull out of the nuclear deal that the Obama administration and other world powers reached with the Islamic republic in 2015. Published October 6, 2017
U.S., Russia use military ‘deconfliction’ phone 20 times a day
It's an ordinary-looking, 1990s-era black plastic telephone, but it's one that American military commanders here rely on daily to prevent the outbreak of World War III. Published October 5, 2017
Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar puts U.S. in Persian Gulf allies’ conflict
It's a sweltering 104 degrees outside, and that's not counting the geopolitical heat that swirls around this once-classified yet massive U.S. Air Force hub located in the heart of the Persian Gulf. Published October 5, 2017
Qatar’s World Cup organizers block out Arab dispute
Officials here are working overtime to prevent a bitter feud with Qatar's Persian Gulf neighbors from spilling over into a critical arena: the soccer pitch. Published October 4, 2017
U.S. stuck in Middle East allies’ feud
While the Trump administration attempts to cool tempers in the nasty row dividing some of America's closest allies in the Middle East, officials in the United Arab Emirates say the crisis is likely only to escalate. Published October 4, 2017
CIA: Kim Jong-un, North Korea dictator, is not crazy, but ‘very rational’
A top CIA official called North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un a "very rational actor" who doesn't want a war with the United States, despite a string of provocations that has sent tensions soaring across East Asia. Published October 4, 2017
Stephen Paddock, 64, identified as Las Vegas shooting suspect
Law enforcement authorities have identified a 64-year-old Nevada man as the lone gunman in the horrific mass shooting that killed more than 50 people and wounded more than 200 at a concert in Las Vegas on Sunday night. Published October 2, 2017
North Korea bitcoin use suspected to skirt sanctions
North Korea may be turning to the shadowy internet currency bitcoin to get around increasingly intrusive U.S.-led sanctions barring its access to the world banking system and fund its missile and nuclear programs, financial experts warn. Published September 25, 2017
Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia crown prince, rumored to ascend to throne
The arrests in Saudi Arabia last week of more than two dozen perceived opponents of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has prompted speculation that Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud Salman may be moving more quickly than regional analysts had predicted toward elevating his ambitious, favored son to the throne in Riyadh. Published September 18, 2017
North Korea secretly building nuclear submarine: Report
North Korea's military is clandestinely building a nuclear-powered submarine, according to a Japanese newspaper report, the latest provocation by Pyongyang in an escalating clash with the U.S. and its allies in a region already on edge. Published September 17, 2017
Arrests spark talk of Saudi leadership shake-up
The arrest in Saudi Arabia this week of more than two dozen opponents of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has prompted speculation that King Salman bin Abdulaziz is accelerating the drive to put his favored son on the throne in Riyadh. Published September 15, 2017
Robert Mueller’s Donald Trump investigation hints at Russia financial crime accusations
Special counsel Robert Mueller is obsessed with President Trump's network of business interests for suspected money laundering as a critical focus of his investigation into Russian meddling in the presidential election last year, according to sources from the intelligence community close to the former FBI director. Published September 10, 2017
U.S. military weapons eyed for Pacific allies after North Korea’s nuclear tests
The Trump administration is poised to pull the trigger on billions of dollars in military sales to U.S. allies in the Pacific in response to the growing nuclear standoff with North Korea — including possibly offering offensive weaponry to long-pacifist Japan. Published September 5, 2017
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador calls out Donald Trump during speech in Washington
The man who could be Mexico's next president came to Washington on Tuesday and sharply criticized President Trump's push to build a wall along the border Tuesday, arguing the problem of illegal drugs flowing north from Mexico is fueled by U.S. consumption and won't solved by more security measures. Published September 5, 2017