U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Nov. 16 the Pentagon will accelerate its mission to train Iraqi forces to combat Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants, using troops already in Iraq to start the effort while funding is sought for a broader initiative. Hagel, speaking to …
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Afghanistan agree to push Pak Taliban out of its soil
Afghanistan has agreed to target militants attacking Pakistan from alleged sanctuaries on its soil, in a significant move which suggests a thaw in their frayed ties and anti-terror cooperation between them. Pakistan had demanded Afghanistan several times through official and unofficial channels to uproot the chief of outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan …
Read More »India, China armies hold counter-terror exercise
With the aim of getting acquainted with each other’s operating procedures in counter-terrorism, Indian and Chinese armies began their fourth joint training exercise, Hand-in-Hand, in Pune on Monday. The objective of the training is to enhance the confidence and trust between the two armies, which may be called upon to …
Read More »Turkey supports removal of Assad regime
Turkey backs the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Turkish foreign minister said on Monday. “We have no hesitation on the removal of Assad,” Mevlut Cavusoglu said during a live TV interview. CNN reported on Thursday that U.S. President Barack Obama was calling for a review of his nation’s Syria policy, after realizing that ISIL could not …
Read More »NATO accuses Russia of continuing to send troops into Ukraine
Russia continues to deny it has sent troops and heavy artillery into rebel-held territory in Ukraine despite sightings by NATO and the OSCE. NATO has accused Russia of sending tanks, troops and military hardware to east Ukraine, raising fears of renewed all-out fighting and calling into question the Minsk peace …
Read More »UN warns of escalation of conflict in East Ukraine
A United Nations political officials tells the Security Council that the fragile cease-fire between rebels and the government is under serious strain. The fragile cease-fire agreement between rebel pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces are “under continuous and serious strain,” a senior UN political official told the Security Council Wednesday. “With the Minsk agreements in question, and uncertainty …
Read More »UNSC calls on Lebanon to choose president
The UN Security Council on Wednesday urged Lebanon’s parliament to quickly choose a new president to bolster stability as war rages across the border in Syria. Lebanon has been without a president, who is also the commander-in-chief, since May because of disagreements between lawmakers. The 15-member council “expressed concern at …
Read More »UN Special Envoy for Libya meets Turkish officials
U.N. Special Envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon held talks with Turkish officials in Ankara on Nov. 12, as Turkey’s involvement in global efforts to prevent a full-blown civil war in Libya become more visible. Leon met with Deputy Prime Minister Emrullah İşler and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu, exchanging views on
Read More »EU urges Turkey to show restraint over dispute with Cyprus
The European Parliament held a debate on the topic, “Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus,” stressing support for the EU member state Cyprus. Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, said the EU stands firmly by the sovereign rights of its …
Read More »Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit to be held between 19-21 Nov.
The final preparations are being made for the second Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit, which will run from Nov. 19-21 in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea. Around 200 business leaders and a delegation led by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will attend the summit. Leaders from many countries …
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