– Foreign Policy’s E-Ring reports: In its latest scathing audit about the state of Afghanistan, the independent U.S. watchdog for war spending said on Wednesday that country was likely “incapable” of sustaining its own security forces after 2014, in part because not enough Afghan troops and contractors know how to read.
– Al-Monitor reports: In a sign of Iranian interest in streamlining back channel contacts and reducing mixed messages ahead of anticipated, resumed nuclear negotiations next month, Iran was said to appoint a central point of contact for approaches from outside-government Americans.
– The State Department “issued a tough and lengthy condemnation of Bahrain’s crackdown on protesters Wednesday, saying the United States is ‘deeply concerned’ by the U.S. ally’s decision to outlaw public gatherings.”
– The Guardian reports that “a source” in the Middle East said “US military commanders have warned their Israeli counterparts that any action against Iran would severely limit the ability of American forces in the region to mount their own operations against the Iranian nuclear programme by cutting off vital logistical support from Gulf Arab allies.”
– The AP reports: Britain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed a bid by a Pakistani man held by the U.S. in Afghanistan to force U.K. authorities to secure his release, although it said there was evidence his detention violated international law.
Previous in TP Security
By clicking and submitting a comment I acknowledge the ThinkProgress Privacy Policy and agree to the ThinkProgress Terms of Use. I understand that my comments are also being governed by Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, or Hotmail’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policies as applicable, which can be found here.