Ashish Kumar Sen

Opinions on U.S. options in Syria widely split The stakes are high, not just for the United States, but for the Middle East, where Syria ’s strife has spilled over into neighboring countries and even prompted an Israeli airstrike Wednesday.  

N. Korean nuke test can’t fool global sensors A nuclear test by North Korea will generate sound waves, seismic shock waves similar to an earthquake and, if the test site is not properly sealed, a spike in levels of radiation that will all be quickly detected by a global network of sensors, analysts say.

Blind dissident says change is in the air in China Chinese citizens increasingly are speaking out against the repressive policies of their government, a blind Chinese dissident said Tuesday as he urged the international community to pressure Beijing to generate reforms.

Obama urged to take tougher tack toward North Korea’s Pyongyang North Korea ’s belligerent rhetoric — which has included a threat to conduct a third nuclear test and launch more long-range rockets — and its description of the United States as a “sworn enemy” should compel the Obama administration to rethink its policy toward the secretive, Stalinist nation, analysts say.

North Korea threatens Seoul over sanctions North Korea threatened to take “strong physical countermeasures” Friday if South Korea takes part in enforcing United Nations sanctions, which it called a “declaration of war.”

Egyptian youths are ready for another revolution On the second anniversary of the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak ’s 29-year rule, Egyptian youth who were the driving force behind that protest say Islamists hijacked their revolution, and they despair over the future of the North African nation.

Kim threat shows no change in North Korea The Obama administration rebuked North Korea on Thursday for its threat to conduct its third nuclear test and launch long-range rockets designed to “target against the U.S.,” with the White House calling it “needlessly provocative.”

North Korea said it’s set to carry out nuclear test, aim weapons at U.S. North Korea said on Thursday that it is poised to carry out a nuclear test and fire more long-range rockets in the direction of the U.S., but did not offer any time frame for its plans.

North Korea goes ballistic over U.N.’s new sanctions North Korea reacted angrily Wednesday to a U.N. resolution that condemns its recent rocket launch and imposes new sanctions, hinting that it may conduct another nuclear test.

Manila challenges Beijing’s South China Sea hegemony The Philippines said Tuesday that it is taking its feud with China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea to an international tribunal.

Jordan’s king sees elections as central to political reform Jordan ’s King Abdullah II is touting Wednesday’s parliamentary elections as the centerpiece of political reforms aimed at addressing the simmering discontent in his realm. But analysts say the vote, which the Muslim Brotherhood and four other smaller opposition parties are boycotting, will produce more instability in Jordan , a key U.S. ally in the Middle East.

Curses on the Wall A bitter battle is brewing on Capitol Hill. Chuck Hagel’s confirmation as the next defence secretary of the United States boils down to this litmus test: does he support Israel, understand the threat posed by Iran and is he sorry for past remarks that his critics say were borderline anti-Semitic? Even before President Barack Obama nominated Hagel this week for the top job at the Pentagon, critics of the former Republican senator from Nebraska had launched a full-throated campaign against the nomination.

Refugees flood Syria’s neighbors Syria ’s 22-month-long civil war has created a refugee crisis of historic proportions that threatens to destabilize countries in the Middle East and has far outpaced the ability of foreign governments and global relief agencies to respond, says a top U.N. official.

U.S. officially recognizes first Somali government since 1991 The Obama administration on Thursday officially recognized the government of Somalia , opening formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Mogadishu for the first time since 1991.

Afghans fear a civil war 
if all U.S. troops depart Afghan lawmakers are alarmed that the White House will consider an option to remove all U.S. troops from their country by the end of next year, warning that such a decision would pave the way for a Taliban takeover.

Karzai meets with senators before State Dept., White House visits Afghan President Hamid Karzai has met with senators on Capitol Hill ahead of his meetings at the White House and State Department this week.

Benghazi suspect’s release spurs calls to punish Tunisia
 A Tunisian judge’s decision to release the only man arrested in connection with the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya , has angered congressional Republicans, with one lawmaker demanding that the U.S. cut off millions of dollars in aid to newly democratic Tunisia .

Afghan aides fear reprisals after U.S. troops leave Afghan civilians who have helped coalition troops in the U.S.-led mission now fear the Taliban will kill them after Western forces leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Libyan diplomat turns down Foreign Ministry post The man nominated to serve as Libya ’s foreign minister has declined to take the job, despite being cleared by a panel that investigated his links to late dictator Moammar Gadhafi .