Europe
Baltics militarized by NATO amid Russian threats
Above Russian protests, NATO is beefing up its Baltic Air Policing program with more fighter jets—at the request of regional leaders, who cite Russian provocation.
Author: CounterVortex
The Andes
Colombia: gains against Buenaventura butchers?
Speaking in the Pacific port of Buenaventura, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos boasted gains against paramilitary gangs that have been terrorizing the city.
The Andes
Bolivia: three dead in miners’ protests
Three were killed as thousands of independent miners blocked highways across Bolivia to protest a pending law that would impose restrictions on their cooperatives.
Europe
NATO, Russia face off across Black Sea
As the US deploys warships to the Black Sea for NATO exercises, Ukraine approved a NATO force to be stationed in the country. Russian troops meanwhile mass on Ukraine's borders.
Greater Middle East
Russia boosts military aid to Assad
Russia is boosting military aid to the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, just as the US has finally broken off diplomatic relations with Damascus—signalling a deepening proxy war.
Greater Middle East
Syria: jihadis target Armenians
Some 2,000 Armenians from the town of Kessab in northern Syria have taken refuge in the port city of Latakia following the occupation of their town by jihadist forces.
Europe
Crimean Tatars vote to seek autonomy
The Majilis of Crimean Tatars voted to seek "a national autonomous territory" on the peninsula, with leaders calling on their people to stay and fight for their rights.
Mexico
Michoacán: cannibalization of ‘community police’?
Mexican police and army troops were rushed to a mountain village in Michoacán amid an armed stand-off between rival factions of the "community police."
Southeast Asia
Philippines: Moro autonomy deal signed
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) officially ended four decades of armed struggle in the Philippines, when it formally signed a pact on regional autonomy.
The Andes
Venezuela: Wayúu protest militarization
Leaders of the Wayúu indigenous people in Venezuela's La Guajira region are protesting ongoing army exercises taking place in their traditional territory.
The Andes
Peru to loosen oversight on energy projects
Peru's Energy and Mines Minister Eleodoro Mayorga said the government is considering dropping the requirement for environmental impact studies of oil exploration projects.
The Andes
Peru: artisanal miners block highways again
Informal miners have for days been blocking the Pan-American Highway on Peru's coast to protest the end of the "formalization" process for titling their claims.