Diplomacy & Crisis News

Venezuela is on the edge. In a stunning defeat of the country’s ruling party—the greatest setback in over ten years for the movement created by the late Hugo Chávez—voters overwhelmingly supported the opposition Democratic Unity (MUD) alliance in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. In the early hours of December 7, the election authority (CNE) said the MUD had won 99 of 167 seats, with 22 still to be determined. The MUD, however, claimed 112, which would just be enough to give it two-thirds “super-majority” needed, for example, to convene a constituent assembly.

If you’re not crying, you’re not making the hard choices that are part of strategy.

From the grand old man of military personnel policy scholars.

A year after the state secrets law passed, what impact is it having on freedom in Japan?

The NLD victory in Myanmar's general election has China wondering if it needs to change its diplomatic approach.

The trip could see some further boosts to cooperation between the two Asian giants.

Welcome to the city of Sa Dec, where the river is turned into brick houses.

Though there's been some good news of late, there's still a long way to go.

Moscow faces competition in attempting to sell its most modern jet in Asia. Its best selling point is still politics.

A former deputy PM expresses frustration on U.S. gun control policy – and the alliance with Australia.

China’s corruption investigations need to be more transparent if markets are to thrive.

The former managing editor of the Jakarta Post on the performance and prospects of Indonesia’s president.

Glyn Davies reportedly in hot water with the junta just months after taking up new post.

"With a well-considered upgrade plan, the B-52 can serve to its 100th birthday."

A new stage in the development of a final agreement on climate change to limit global temperature rise to below two degrees Celsius or less has been reached today, according to the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General on Climate Change.

Warning of dire effects of climate change, abject poverty, fast population growth and a tormenting rise in violence and insecurity in Africa’s Sahel region, United Nations agencies and partners today launched the Sahel humanitarian appeal for 2016, which includes a regional plan that calls for $1.98 billion to provide vital assistance to millions of people in nine countries across the region.

Recent reports of a shooting, and the killing or wounding of its leader, reveals serious divisions within the Taliban.

(Own report) - With its military intervention in Syria and Iraq, Germany is emerging as a "policy-shaping power in the Middle East," according to a government advisor of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). The intervention in Syria, decided last week, could, therefore, last ten years and could be accompanied by "long-term" efforts to "politically reorganize" the entire region, with the cornerstone being military units, equipped and trained by the German government, serving as ground troops for the war against the "Islamic State" (IS/Daesh). In Iraq, the militia of the Kurdish Regional Government in northern Iraq could take on this role, whereas Berlin only provides minimal support to the Iraqi government's armed forces. Whereas the government in Baghdad has good relations with Iran and Russia, the Kurdish Regional Government in northern Iraq is seen as loyal to the West. Having illegally remained in office beyond the August deadline in an insidious coup, the Regional Government's President Masoud Barzani, with whom German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier met yesterday, is responsible for the brutal repression of civil protests. Ultimately - and with Berlin's military aid for his Peshmerga - Barzani may be able to proclaim "Iraqi Kurdistan's" statehood.

Exploring myths and misconceptions regarding Vietnam's approach to China and the United States.

The violent activities of armed groups such as Boko Haram and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have triggered a dire humanitarian and security crisis in Central Africa, the United Nations envoy on the region said today, telling the Security Council the challenges faced by the affected countries should not be underestimated and ongoing vigilance and international support is needed.