Eurasia

Shoukry, Kerry discuss Middle East security situation

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry met in London with US Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in light of the escalating tensions in Jerusalem. The two discussed on Tuesday ways of working to contain the situation and “prevent the region from sliding into a …

Read More »

NATO warns of military build-up by Russia on Ukraine border

Russia has launched a “very serious” military build-up inside Ukraine and on their shared border, deploying troops and sophisticated equipment including air defence systems, Nato head Jens Stoltenberg said today. Troops, artillery and “very modern” air defence weapons could be seen “both inside of Ukraine and also on the Russian …

Read More »

EU FMs discuss Mideast, Ukraine situation

EU foreign ministers Monday began here their formal monthly meeting with two main topics on the agenda, Ukraine and the Middle East. The EU Foreign Affairs Council is being chaired for the first time by the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. “We will …

Read More »

EU to extend pro-Russian separatist sanctions list

The EU Foreign Affairs Council Monday called on the EU foreign services, known as the European External Action Service, and the European Commission to present a proposal for decision by the end of this month on additional sanctions targeting separatists in Eastern Ukraine.

Read More »

Armed clashes broke out in Tripoli

Armed clashes broke out in Libya’s capital Tripoli closing down the city’s main working airport, local residents and an official said on Sunday. Tripoli has been mostly calm since the Libya Dawn force, an armed faction allied to the city of Misrata, took over the capital in the summer and …

Read More »

US to accerelation mission to train Iraqi forces to combat IS

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 …

Read More »

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 »