Greater Middle East
North Korean troops fight in Syria?
Pro-opposition sources in Syria say a force of North Korean soldiers has arrived in Damascus, and been mobilized to the rebel-controlled suburbs of Ghouta district.
Planet Watch
Ice Age fears: don’t believe the hype
Russia Today trumpets specious claims of a new Little Ice Age—convenient propaganda for Putin to go on exploiting Arctic oil without worrying about global warming.
East Asia
Protests as Japan moves toward remilitarization
Despite a massive nationwide protest campaign, the ruling bloc in the Diet's lower house pushed through a law "reinterpreting" Japan's constitution to allow combat missions.
Mexico
Mexico sells offshore oil blocs, but majors are shy
For the first time in nearly 80 years, Mexico opened its oil industry to foreign investors, offering 14 offshore exploration blocs—but only two sold, and not to industry majors.
Europe
Greece seeks ‘security axis’ with Cyprus, Israel
With his own country in turmoil, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias spoke in Jerusalem of developing an "axis of security" made up of Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
Afghanistan
ISIS burns opium to gain Afghanistan foothold
Fighters loyal to ISIS have seized substantial territory in Afghanistan, burning opium fields in an apparent bid to stigmatize the Taliban as corrupt and soft on drugs.
Mexico
Mexico: Chapo Guzmán escapes —again!
A massive manhunt is underway in Mexico after the country's most notorious drug lord escaped from the country's highest security prison through a secret tunnel.
Greater Middle East
Syria: Alawites clash with regime, Iran troops
Syrian regime forces backed by Iranian troops clashed with residents of two Alawite villages outside Hama following a wave of mass arrests in the area.
Europe
Srebrenica at 20: ‘door open for a new war’?
The 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre comes just as Russia vetoed a UN resolution to designate the massacre an act of "genocide"—leading to new violence in Bosnia.
Afghanistan
Chinese mine threatens Afghan Buddhist site
Archaeologists are racing against time to salvage artifacts from the 5,000-year-old Mes Aynak site in Afghanistan's Logar province before it is destroyed by an open-pit copper mine.
Greater Middle East
Israel Lobby schmoozes Sisi —Assad next?
Egypt's dictatorial President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a delegation from the American Jewish Committee to discuss ways to "defeat terrorism" in the region.
Anti-fascist flag raised as Kurds advance on ISIS
Kurdish fighters displaying the anti-fascist flag in front of an ISIS billboard in newly liberated territory outisde Raqqa, Syria. In a perverse historical irony, two Spanish volunteers who went to the region to fight ISIS in an "International Brigade" were… Read moreAnti-fascist flag raised as Kurds advance on ISIS