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Energy road opens with Nabucco Intergovernmental Agreement

more The Nabucco project represents a new gas pipeline connecting the Caspian region, Middle East and Egypt via Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary with Austria and further on with the Central and Western European gas markets. The pipeline length...

State visit of Syrian President al-Assad to Azerbaijan

more Within the framework of President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Baku, Syria and Azerbaijan signed 19 cooperation agreements and memos of understanding in various fields. Presidents Bashar al-Assad and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan have stressed...

2009 G8 Summit in L'Aquila, Italy from 8 to 10 July 2009

more The 2009 G8 Summit is to be held in L'Aquila, Italy -- the country that currently holds the G8 Presidency -- from 8 to 10 July 2009. The G8 group's member countries are Canada, the Russian Federation, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the United...

Russian-American summit in Moscow, July 2009

more At their initial meeting on April 1 in London, Presidents Medvedev and Obama agreed to translate their mutual desire to "reset" U.S.-Russian relations into concrete outcomes that would benefit the American and Russian people. During their July 6-8...

United Kingdom - France summit in Evian, 6 July 2009

more British Prime Minister Brown attended a Summit on 6 July 2009 in the French town of Evian-les-Bains, along with Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Europe Minister Baroness Kinnock. Last year's Summit confirmed the commitment of both countries...

Protests welcome Ahmadinejad's re-election

more Iran's Interior Ministry has proclaimed incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad the victor after votes were tabulated from Friday's nationwide election. Mr. Ahmedinejad won about 62 percent of the vote to nearly 34 percent for his closest competitor...

Security Council voted Resolution 1874 on North Korea

more UN Security Council, acting unanimously, condemns in strongest terms Democratic People's Republic of Korea nuclear test, toughens sanctions. Resolution 1874 (2009) strengthens Arms Embargo, calls for Inspection of Cargo, Vessels...

Obama's diplomatic offensive in the Muslim world

more The centerpiece of President Obama’s five-day visit to the Middle East and to Europe has been his speech June 4 at Cairo University on U.S. relations with the Muslim world. “President Obama’s speech will be an important part of this engagement with the...

US Treasury Secretary Geithner visits China

more US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner came in Beijing Sunday afternoon, hoping to steer a closer relationship with China under the new US era. "We have an obligation to make sure that as we fix the crisis, we are putting in place a better foundation...

Russian-Finnish Intergovernmental talks

more Contacts between Russia and Finland are very close at the top level. The two countries discussed issues closely connected with the economy, transport, the Baltic Sea, and the timber industry. It is the first time that the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental...

A renewed Cybersecurity policy for the United States

Russian-Belarus Intergovernmental talks

more Russia and Belarus discussed to the minutest detail the problems of our trade and economic cooperation with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. "We have reviewed both the current situation and the prospects. We have...

North Korea conducted Nuclear Test, draws International fire

more The Korean Central News Agency released a report on Monday in connection with one more "successful" underground nuclear test in the DPRK: "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea successfully conducted one more underground...

Trilateral Summit of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in Tehran

more First Summit of Presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran was held in Tehran today within the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran trilateral framework. Presidents Asif Ali Zardari, Hamid Karzai and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had met earlier in Tehran...

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) of Foreign Ministers in Vietnam

more The Ninth ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM 9) was held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam from 25-26 May 2009. Under the overarching theme of “Forging a Closer Asia-Europe Partnership to Address the Financial and Economic Crisis and Other Global Challenges”...

US President Obama outlined his National Security policy

more The President spoke at length on the values that guide his foreign policy decisions, including the closing of Guantanamo. He began by speaking of the importance of robust national security efforts and upholding American’s core identity...

EU-Russia Summit in Khabarovsk (May 2009)

more The Summit has been introduced as an opportunity or the EU and Russia to discuss how best to coordinate responses to the financial and economic crisis. Climate change and energy security are also high on the agenda.. International issues to be...

11th European Union - China Summit

more The eleventh EU-China Summit was held in Prague, on 20 May 2009. After an overall review of the development of their relations, leaders of both sides expressed their satisfaction with the rapid expansion of the relationship between the EU and China...

US Vice-President Biden visits Southern Europe

more US Vice President Biden departed for Southeastern Europe, traveling to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo. During the visit, the Vice President will meet with the political leadership in all three countries, as well as U.S. officials and military...

3rd Strategic Dialogue between China and Pakistan

more China and Pakistan held the 3rd Strategic Dialogue here from May 12 to 13 to discuss bilateral ties and issues of common concern. Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir co-chaired the dialogue...

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visits Washington

more President Obama welcomed newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House May 18, beginning the first of three separate high-stakes consultations to refocus the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. After meeting with...

Russian Prime Minister Putin made official visit to Japan

more "We can say confidently that our interaction has advanced to a new level, and nobody now doubts the long-term prospects of Japanese business in Russia. Many large Japanese corporations, such as Toyota, which has built a car assembly plant...

Syria and Iran held a bilateral meeting, shared views

more During the one-day visit, the Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadinejad met with his Syrian counterpart Bachir al-Assad on expansion of mutual cooperation, handling jointly the agreed projects as well as industrial and economic issues. Before leaving Tehran...

European Union launched the Eastern Partnership

more The first Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit in Prague on 7 May 2009 gathered leaders from the EU Member States, EU institutions and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to launch this new framework of reinforced...

2nd meeting of the EU-China Economic and Trade Dialogue

more The economic relationship between the EU and China has developed extraordinarily fast. Two decades ago, China and Europe traded almost nothing. Today, the EU is China's most important trading partner. Bilateral trade in goods alone nearly doubled...

Japan Prime Minister Taro Aso visited Europe

more Japan and Czech* leaders (as President of the European Union) also agreed to work in collaboration on global issues, such as climate change, the situation of North Korea, and pandemic influenza. On Japan-EU relations, the leaders agreed that...

Netanyahu and Peres in Washington, Liberman in Europe

more Presidents Obama of the United States and Peres of Israel met in Washington DC and exchanged views on the opportunities and challenges, including the pursuit of a comprehensive peace in the Middle East and Iran's nuclear program, that the present...

Presidents Obama, Zardari and Karzai meet

more The United States has an intense strategic interest in Pakistan and the surrounding region. Current circumstances are a threat to Pakistan, the region, and the United States. On 27 March 2009, US President Obama announced a comprehensive strategy for...

Georgia on the brink of a Military Coup?

more Russia denied it can be linked to the failed mutiny in the Mukhrovani-based tank battalion. Georgian authorities stressed that they did not accuse Russia of any involvement but called on Russia to stop its provocative actions, especially with a significant increase...

United States to renew its Pakistani policy

Concern grows over Pakistani nuclear arsenal

more The Taliban now control the Swat Valley in Pakistan and have encroached into the area around Buner, the Pentagon stated. On 1 April 2009, CNN interviewed US Secretary of State Clinton on the fact that the head of the Pakistan Taliban Baitullah Mehsud...

Japan PM Taro Aso made official visit to China

more Asked on the official stance of PRC about the sending of an offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, Chinese FM spokesperson Yu told that a correct view and proper handling of historical issues by the Japanese Government constitutes constitutes the political foundation...

Putin welcomed Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko in Moscow

more On 23 April 2009, President Yushchenko said that January gas agreements with Russia have not introduced stability in that sector of relations between the two states and should be revised. He regrets that the reached agreements added problems in gas trade...

Influenza A - H1N1 Virus - Swine Flu

more First reports talked about an Influenza-Like Illness in Mexico and the United States. The Government of Mexico has reported three separate events related to Influenza-Like Illness (ILI). In the Federal District of Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of ILI...

Agenda and Priorities of the US Foreign Policy

more The United States is pursuing a wide-ranging diplomatic agenda that is based on strengthening alliances, cultivating partnerships with key regional powers and building constructive relationships with China and Russia, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham...

United States and Jordan hold Bilateral Meetings

more Having discussed a wide range of issues concerning the Middle East during the meeting, from terrorism in the region, to Afghanistan, Iran, and the global economic crisis, the two leaders then gave remarks to the press. The bulk of the time was spent on...

Russia and Finland hold Bilateral Meetings

more On 16 April 2009, the Finnish government has today passed a Government Resolution on the first ever Russia Action Plan which, based on the Government Programme, establishes the guidelines for management of the Government’s relations with Russia...

2nd Durban Review Conference against Racism finally adopts outcome document

more The Durban Review Conference this afternoon adopted its outcome document, which among other things emphasises the need to address with greater resolve and political will all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination...

US-Mexico bilateral meeting, 5th Summit of the Americas

more "As we approach the Summit of the Americas, our hemisphere is faced with a clear choice. We can overcome our shared challenges with a sense of common purpose, or we can stay mired in the old debates of the past. For the sake of all our people, we...

CIA Interrogations Techniques terminated

more The Department of Justice releases a series of opinions that its Office of Legal Counsel provided CIA between 2002 and 2005. They guided CIA’s detention and interrogation program, which ended this past January. Over the life of that initiative, CIA repeatedly...

Political and Security Situation turns serious in Thailand

more Prime Minister Abhisit recalled his statement during a televised address on 9 April 2009 after demonstrators broke the law and blocked traffic in Bangkok that the Government had to exercise restraint in order not to affect the convening of the 14th...

Piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden

more "Wherever the pirates are operating from, the consequences of this criminal activity are both regional and international. The pirates’ area of operation extends beyond the coast of Somalia. Let me reiterate that almost 16,000 ships pass through this region each year...

United States - Australia Bilateral Meetings 2009

more Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon held AUSMIN talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US Secretary of Defense Dr Robert Gates in Washington on 9 April 2009. AUSMIN (the Australia-United States...

Improvement, tough challenges in eastern DR Congo

more Following on the Secretary-General’s latest report on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), Alan Doss, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for that country, told the Security Council...

CIA Director Panetta bans Contractor Interrogations

more Leon Panetta sent a letter to our Congressional oversight committees outlining the Agency’s current policy regarding interrogation of captured terrorists, including the policy on the use of contractors in the process. "CIA officers, whose knowledge of terrorist...

Post-election violence in the Republic of Moldova

more CIS adopted a Declaration regarding the events from the Republic of Moldova, through which the members of the Council express their preoccupation and convict the violent actions which occurred in Chisinau, on April 7, and they call for a legal solution of all...

Debate over cuts in US Defense Budget

more US Defense Secretary Gates plans to significantly restructure the Army’s Future Combat Systems program. “We will retain and accelerate the initial increment of the program to spin out technology enhancements to all combat brigades,” he...

New UN Security Council data on progress in Haiti's stabilization

more The Security Council welcomed the progress towards stabilizing Haiti, but reiterated the need for security to be accompanied by social and economic development as a way for that poor Caribbean nation - – imperilled by natural and manmade disasters...

US President Barack Obama visits Turkey

more US President visited Turkey, a country that lies at the nexus of several cultures, and accordingly the President had several core messages. He emphasized his support for Turkey’s bid...

North Korea put a satellite into orbit, United States say it failed

(+)more "Our scientists and technicians succeeded in putting a satellite, the Kwangmyongsong-2, into orbit with the delivery rocket Unha-2, according to the national space development plan,'' the Korean Central News Agency reported. "The satellite is rotating normally in its orbit." The satellite entered orbit at 0229 GMT (3:29 a.m. British time) and was now...

United States discussed major issues with Russia and China at the G-20

US-Russia - US-China - US President Obama met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, where they discussed their intention to draft a new arms control treaty to replace the START agreement, and broad parameters of US-Russia relations in general. This morning Prime Minister Gordon Brown told President Obama, "Your first 70 days in office have...

Syrian-Sudanese higher joint committee holds meeting

more The Preparatory Committee for meetings of Syrian-Sudanese Higher Joint Committee held a meeting in Khartoum on Monday. Head of the Syrian Side at the Preparatory Committee Tisser al-Zua'bi discussed with head of the Sudanese side Shazili Abdel Majid issues of mutual cooperation between the two countries which will be discussed on the...

Transfer of authority to UN Mission in Central African Republic and Chad from European Union Force (EUFOR)

more Today at midnight local time, the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) took over the military and security responsibilities of the European Union Force (EUFOR), in accordance with Security Council resolution 1861 of 14 January 2009. The event was marked by a ceremony in Abéché attended by the Under-Secretary...

Working Visit to Russia of Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marat Tazhin

more In the talks in Moscow, Tazhin and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov again compared notes on the main issues of the agenda of Russian-Kazakhstan relations. The sides exchanged views on topical problems in international life, gave a high appraisal of cooperation between the two countries in all fields and...

G20 Finance ministers pledge further action to restore global growth

more Several measures were recommended to strengthen the financial system, including appropriate regulation and oversight of all `systemically important financial institutions, markets and instruments’, which would cover hedge funds and derivatives. Financial regulations should be reassessed to ensure they dampen rather than amplify economic cycles...

Russia willing to replace the START treaty with the United States

more 696 words In remarks following his address to the conference on disarmament, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Russia wants to elaborate new full-format agreement with the United States on the further mutually verifiable reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. "Russia welcomes the positive signals from the new US administration...

Bin Laden denounces Arabic-Western alliance against Islam

more 378 words Al-Qeda leader Osama bin Laden has called last December's Israeli offensive on Gaza a "holocaust" in an audio recording aired by Al Jazeera television on Saturday. "It has become clear that some Arab leaders were complicit with the crusade zionist alliance against our people. These are the leaders that America calls moderate," bin...

How China reacts to France's stance about Dalai Lama and Tibet

more "The Dalai Lama and his followers insist to establish the so-called "Greater Tibet" on one quarter of the Chinese territory. They want to drive away the Chinese armed forces deployed on its own territory, and all the Chinese people of other ethnic groups who have been living in Tibet for generations," Chinese official Yang told a press conference...

Visit of Chinese FM Jiechi to the United States

more Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi paid a working visit to the United States from March 9 to 13, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang announced here. Yang is to pay to the visit as guest of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the spokesman said. The two sides exchanged views on the growth of Sino-US relations in the new phase and regional...

Morocco severs ties with Iran

more Government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham rejected on Saturday some recent reports on severing of Morocco’s diplomatic ties with Iran. Certain Western media reported on Friday that Morocco has cut off diplomatic relations with Iran accusing the latter of trying to spread Shia Islam in the Sunni Arab kingdom. "There is no problem between Iran and...

Naval Incident between China and United States

more China on Tuesday said that a U.S. navy vessel, which conducted activities in China's special economic zone in the South China Sea, violated the international and Chinese law. "China has lodged a solemn representation to the United States as the USNS Impeccable conducted activities in China's special economic zone in the South China Sea without...

Resurgence of violence in Northern Ireland

more Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward MP has condemned the attack on soldiers in Antrim last night as "An act of criminal barbarism."Mr Woodward said: "My thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured in this murderous attack. The Prime Minister is being kept closely informed. "The contrast between those who serve the...

What one can learn from Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko's call for strong French leadership in Europe

more It's been quite difficult to confirm such a paper was an official contribution from the Ukranian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko that coincided with her visit to Paris last week but finally our staff decided to reproduce it as it is coherent with what PM Tymoshenko said about France in the previous days and what...

Obama wants to negotiate with "moderate" Talibans, analysts say it's wrong and useless approach

more In a statement on 17 February 2009, US President Obama said that "there is no more solemn duty as President than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harm’s way. I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action. The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan...

Bilateral meetings between Iran and Syria

more The Higher Syria-Iranian Joint Committee wrapped up deliberations in Tehran on Sunday by signing a number of understanding memoranda and executive programs between the two countries. These memos included cultural cooperation , following up and developing Syrian-Iranian business, state planning and cooperation...

Progress in inter-Palestinian dialogue?

more President Mahmoud Abbas said, Saturday, that “we are determinedly heading toward national reconciliation and are looking to forming a national unity government.” In a joint press conference with the European Union's foreign policy coordinator Javier Solana, President Abbas said that for this national government to work properly...

United States to "responsibly end the war in Iraq", Withdrawal by August 2010

more To understand where we need to go in Iraq, it is important for the American people to understand where we now stand. Thanks in great measure to your service, the situation in Iraq has improved. Violence has been reduced substantially from the horrific sectarian killing of 2006 and 2007. Al Qaeda in Iraq has been dealt a...

Political instability in Guinea-Bissau after Assassinations of President and Army Chief

more Strongly condemning the assassinations of the President of Guinea-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Tagme Na Waie, on 1 and 2 March, the Security Council called on the Government of Guinea-Bissau to bring to justice those responsible. In a statement read out by its President, Ibrahim...

Director of National Intelligence Blair highlights global threats

release - testimony Director Blair addressed several emerging areas of concern: The global economic crisis and its destabilizing impact on allies and adversaries – including the likely decreased ability of our allies to meet their defense and humanitarian obligations; The domestic and international impact of global climate change; Access...

Sarkozy made a surprise visit to Iraq, met with Talabani and Maliki

more special coverage The President's visit was coordinated with the Iraqi authorities. A new phase of return to Iraqi sovereignty has begun, with the end of the mandate of the multinational force at the end of last year, and with the holding of regional elections, the first to restore Iraqi authorities in their own country. The primary objective...

Zimbabwean Morgan Tsvangirai has become the new Prime Minister

more special coverage Zimbabweans from all walks of life are expected to converge at Glamis stadium at the Showgrounds in Harare on Wednesday to celebrate the swearing in of MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. Arrangements are at an advanced stage for the event and thousands of people from...

45th Munich Security Conference 2009 called for renewed cooperation

more US VP Biden calls for Allied Cooperation to meet Mutual Challenges. "America will do more, but America will ask for more from our partners," he told the international government officials and foreign and defense policy experts gathered at the annual conference to discuss trans-Atlantic security issues. "The...

US VP Biden calls for Allied Cooperation to meet Challenges

more - coverage In his address to the 45th Munich Security Conference today, Vice President Joseph R. Biden said allied cooperation and teamwork is vital to meet mutual economic and security challenges. "America will do more, but America will ask for more from our partners," he told the international government officials...

Cuban President Castro visits Moscow, Russia

more Castro said the outcome of the Intergovernmental Commission on Collaborations showed the great potential for development in the economic field between the two countries. He stressed the importance of implementing agreements signed during his visit to Russia. "Particularly admirable is the fact that our economic bonds are growing stronger amidst a worldwide...

European Union - Ukraine Troika on 5 February 2009

more The ministerial troika between the EU and Ukraine will take place on 5 February 2009 in Prague. The meeting will be attended by President of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council Karel Schwarzenberg, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Director...

Talks between Russia and Uzbekistan, January 2009

more Dmitry Medvedev and President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov discussed cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan on ensuring security in the Central Asian region and overcoming the world economic crisis. The talks concluded with the signing of a Joint Statement on the results of the Russian President’s state visit to Uzbekistan, an intergovernmental...

Chinese PM Wen Jiabao makes a tour in Europe amid tensions

more According to official Chinese sources: Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming European visit would show China's confidence to work with European nations and organizations to push forward the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and deepen the bilateral cooperation, said a Foreign Ministry official here on Thursday. Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo...

Greek Foreign Minister Bakoyannis visits Moscow, Russia

more In an interview with ITAR-TASS correspondent Mr. Yuri Malinov: First of all I would like to express my delight at this opportunity to once again visit your country, with which Greece, as you know, is linked by long-standing ties of friendship. I am carrying out this visit within the framework of my responsibilities as Chairperson of the Organization for Security...

Serbia and Kosovo disagree on creation of Kosovo Security Forces

more NATO announced today the start of the KSF recruitment campaign in which KFOR representatives will present the concept of the recruitment campaign for the new Kosovo Security Force to the public at the University of Pristina. During the presentation all the important information concerning KSF like career occupations, requirements for employment...

Hillary Clinton officially becomes the new United States Secretary of State

more The Senate voted overwhelmingly this afternoon to confirm Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and as a member of President Barack Obama’s national security team. The Senate confirmed Clinton’s nomination by a 94-to-2 vote. Clinton has represented New York since her election in 2000 and has served on the Senate Armed Services Committee...

US President Obama has called for closing Guantanamo in one year

more Closing the facility in Cuba "would further the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and the interests of justice," read the draft prepared for the new president's signature. Obama requests to suspend proceedings pending a 120-day review. Responding to a presidential directive, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday...

Official White Paper on China National Defense in 2008

more The year 2008 was an extraordinary one in the history of the People's Republic of China (PRC). In that year China overcame a devastating earthquake, with the epicenter in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province; successfully hosted the 29th Olympic Games and Paralympics in Beijing; and greeted the 30th anniversary of the adoption of reform and opening-up...

Negotiations between PMs Putin and Tymoshenko made Russia and Ukraine reach a deal on gas

more Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko went to the Kremlin to take part in the Moscow international conference on ensuring Russian gas supplies to European consumers. After a brief meeting at the Russian Government House, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko...

Gulf and Arab Extraordinary Summit on Gaza and Palestine

more The Emergency Summit on Gaza Strip, which concluded today, condemned Israel with strong terms over its aggression on Gaza Strip. It called for immediate cessation of the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people in Gaza. In its final communiqué the summit held Israel accountable for the crimes and genocide committed in Gaza. It called for suing Israel for those...

United States and Israel sign Memorandum of Understanding

more The U.S. Department of State announces that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni today signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the prevention of the supply of arms and related materials to terrorist groups. It contains political commitments on steps the United States and Israel will take to stem the flow of weapons...

Dr. Mongrenier discusses relations of France with Russia and NATO, and the gas crisis between Russia and Ukraine

more If we are to believe public rumor fuelled by complacent anecdotes, the French president would have ended the Russo-Georgian war after having a man-to-man talk. Remember first that Dmitri Medvedev unilaterally announced a ceasefire before Nicolas Sarkozy landed at the Moscow airport on August 12. Since then, the Russian president said his French...

Lessons and developments from the Mumbai Terrorist Attacks

more "The Mumbai attacks focused on soft targets like hotels, restaurants, a railway station, and a Jewish cultural center. And the Mumbai attackers used conventional – but still dreadfully lethal – weapons like automatic rifles and hand grenades to carry out their bloody mission. While terrorists will certainly still seek to acquire and use a weapon of mass destruction...

US Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff on the year 2008

more I was in Paris yesterday signing an agreement with the French Ministry of Defense, and in the ceremonial conference room where the signing took place is a quotation I believe from Charles de Gaulle, which translated from the French is as follows: "Security is the reason for... See also: Planning for the 56th Presidential Inauguration - Cyber Strategic Inquiry 2008

Russian Foreign Policy and a New Quality of the Geopolitical Situation

more The Russian state has accumulated serious foreign policy capital – it works for the country and the protection of national interests. Russian diplomacy has acquired a firm footing in successes of our internal... See also: Borodavkin on SCO Issues - Ryabkov on Russo-American relations - Review of Russia and International Counterterrorism Cooperation in 2008

Israeli carried Air Strikes on Gaza, Hamas vows revenge

more Israel submited second protest regarding ongoing fire from Gaza. More than 60 rockets and mortars hit civilian oppulation centers, including the cities and towns of Ashkelon, Netivot and Sderot, as well as the kibbutzim of Nirim, Nahal Oz, and Kerem Shalom. These rockets and mortars have targeted civilians in private...

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's tour to Latin America

more On his way back from Havana to Moscow Russian President Dmitry Medvedev talked about his impressions of his visits to Latin American countries: Recently the APEC summit took place. It is a continuation of the dialogue and arrangements we embarked on in Washington at the G20 summit. This time the...

5th Strategic and Economic Dialogue (SED) between US and China

more The United States and China held the fifth Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) at the Beijing Diaoyutai Guest House on December 4 and 5, 2008. As special representatives of President George W. Bush and President Hu Jintao, Treasury Secretary Henry M Paulson, Jr. and Vice Premier Wang Qishan served...

Belarus develops its relations with Syria, Iran, Russia, and Europe

more New developments concerning the relations of Belarus both with two major actors in the Mideast (Iran and Syria) and with Russia and Europe justified this special file by ISRIA. Officials interpreted recent moves by Belarusian authorities as possible efforts to ease tensions with the European Union. One should...

Strenghtening the European Security and Defense Policy

more The European Council states its determination to give, by means of the attached declaration, a fresh impetus to the European Security and Defence Policy. Compliant with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the decisions of the United Nations Security Council, this policy will continue to develop in full...

SOFA makes Contractors lose their legal immunity in Iraq

more US contractors lose their legal immunity. It is possible that Iraq might bring retroactive charges against contractors who killed Iraqis in past incidents. Despite wrangles about the immunity of US troops during the negotiations, it is unlikely they will be prosecuted. Other important concerns include the protection of Iraqi assets abroad...

Tehran would welcome negotiation with new US administration

more Iran would welcome a broad dialogue with US President-elect Barack Obama's administration, Iranian Ambassador to International Atomic Energy Agency said on Monday. Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, said that if Obama makes good on his campaign pledge to drop preconditions on talks with Tehran, it could pave the way for a significant...

Obama announced his National Security Team

more "In this uncertain world, the time has come for a new beginning -- a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century, and to seize the opportunities embedded in those challenges. To succeed we must pursue a new strategy that skillfully uses, balances, and integrates all elements of American power...

New advanced ballistic weaponry for Russia

more "Advanced weaponry is currently being developed for the missiles that will fly outside the effective range of the strike means of the space echelon of the missile defense system," Colonel-General Nikolai Solovtsov, the Commander of the Strategic Missile Troops told Interfax news agency. "Judging by an analysis of US work in new weapons...

Al Qaeda may be plotting an attack in NYC public transportation

more The warning comes at a time when New York subways and other public transportation systems are jammed with holiday travelers. A classified intelligence bulletin describing the potential plot was issued Tuesday by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, and disseminated among state and local law-enforcement agencies...

Iran dismantled and denounced an alleged Israeli spy cell from the Mossad

more "One of the powerful aspects of Iran's armed forces was manifested when they dismantled an Israeli spy cell and arrested members of the network," the Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi said Thursday. Tehran Prosecutor General Saeed Mortazavi said on Tuesday that a spy network affiliated...

Iraqi Parliament approves US Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

more Within minutes of the ratification, the American Embassy in Baghdad issued a joint statement of congratulation from Ambassador Ryan Crocker and General Ray Odierno, the overall commander of American forces in Iraq. "We look forward to the ratification of this vote by Iraq's Presidency Council," the statement said. "Taken together...

G20 - International Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy

more A summit of the main countries and institutions concerned by the financial crisis will take place on 15 November 2008 in Washington. The summit, preceded by the meeting of the G20 finance ministers in São Paulo (8-9 November 2008), will bring together the G20 Heads of State and Government, the United Nations Secretary-General...

Toward renewed partnership? European Union - Russia Summit in Nice

more Alongside topics such as the economic and financial crisis, energy security, and climate change, the Summit will also address the recent conflict in the Caucasus and other international issues such as Iran and proposals for a new European security architecture. In addition, the summit will review the state of play in the four Common Spaces...

United States - Europe Relations: Toolbox for a New Era by Bernard Kouchner

more The French are always very impressed by the influence of American think tanks. Conspiracy theories will be very difficult to dispel now that the Brookings Foreign Policy Studies Program has been able to get Senator Obama elected President of the United States! More seriously, the prominent role of so many Brookings and, of course...