At the OSCE summit 10 years ago this week, Russia and NATO agreed a deal on troop and armament withdrawals from Moldova. It remains unratified, as Russia still has a military presence there. But if it follows through with reform, things may start looking up for this tiny country caught in a frozen
Barack Obama’s fresh military approach in Afghanistan may only compound the United States’s predicament there - and postpone the moment for the hardest choice of all.
The UN Security Council renews its sanctions against rebel groups in the eastern DRC. Indian government announces plans to reduce troop levels in Kashmir. Ousted Honduran president denied chance to serve the remainder of his term in officer by a majority vote of law-makers. A provincial governor i
Obama announces 30,000 troop build-up in Afghanistan. Sri Lanka must help refugees leaving camps, say UN and rights groups. Chechen rebels claim responsibility for Russian train bomb. Iran releases five British sailors. Bhopal water sill toxic 25 years after deadly gas leak. Suicide bomber hits Is
Afghanistan has long experience of complex arrangements with local/traditional forms of governance. It is possible to see what factors work for peace-building and which do not
China calls for talks with Iran rather than sanctions. Obama to announce 34,000 troop increase. Israel lashes out at EU over Jerusalem. Philippine mayor charged over political massacre. Iran seizes five British sailors. All this and much more, in today’s briefing.
Iran intends to continue its uranium enrichment programme. Somali pirates take America-bound oil vessel. Israel outlines prisoner exchange. Britain insists Pakistan and Afghanistan contribute more to counter-insurgency. Saudi Arabian claims victory over Yemeni rebels. All this and more in today's
The souring of Iran's key relationship with Russia is a crucial factor behind its decision to build ten nuclear sites, in defiance of the UN Security Council. Hossein Asgarian reports from Teheran on the way Russia has reneged on a raft of earlier commitments.
The gap between the Barack Obama administration’s rhetoric and performance in the core middle-east conflict is damaging chances of progress, says Fawaz A Gerges.
The war in Afghanistan may now be beyond the point where any military-centred United States strategy can work.
Pakistan faces amnesty deal turmoil. US security firm Blackwater is accused of running covert operations in Pakistan. A leaked UN report finds the UN-backed offensive in DR Congo is failing. The US rejects landmine ban treaty. Khmer Rouge prison chief expresses remorse. All this and much more in t
Turkish reactions to the Zurich agreement with Armenia have been mixed. But they will tolerate it if it yields concrete results – on Turkey’s negotiations for EU membership, above all
