Central America
Guatemala threatens Belize?
A change of government in Guatemala and Belize is reviving long-simmering fears of war between the Central American neighbors.
Tag: border conflicts
Southeast Asia
Hague to rule in South China Sea dispute
Amid US brinkmanship in the South China Sea, a UN arbitration court agreed to hear the Philippines' challenge of Beijing's territorial claims.
The Andes
Ecuador: victory for Kichwa sovereignty
Ecuadoran border authorities allowed an indigenous leader to enter the country on a passport issued by the Kichwa Nation, hailed as an "historic precedent" for the hemisphere.
Greater Middle East
Syrian Kurds as pawns in Turko-Russian game?
With tensions high between Turkey and Russia, Moscow's intervention risks drawing the Kurds into the geopolitical game and escalating divisions within the Syrian resistance.
The Andes
World Court may hear Bolivia case on ocean access
The International Court of Justice ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the case between Bolivia and Chile regarding land-locked Bolivia's access to the Pacific Ocean.
The Caucasus
New war brewing between Russia and Georgia?
The government of Georgia accuses Russian military forces of encroaching on its territory in the contested South Ossetia enclave, seizing a section of BP’s Baku-Supsa pipeline. (Map: Perry-Castañeda Library)
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.
Southeast Asia
Vietnam tilts to US in Pacific ‘Great Game’
Vietnam's paramount leader Nguyen Phu Trong meets with Obama at the White House, as the US and China play a dangerous game of chicken over disputed islands.
South Asia
Arunachal Pradesh: pawn in the new Great Game
A new diplomatic flare-up over contested Arunachal Pradesh immediately follows the US-India nuclear deal—seen by China as part of an encirclement strategy.
Europe
Great Game for Arctic in Ukraine struggle?
At the NATO summit called in response to the Ukraine escalation, a particularly hard line is being taken by Canada—now in a race with Russia to claim Arctic oil resources.
Palestine
Gaza: a war for oil?
Development of the Gaza Marine 1 and 2 offshore blocs has been held up by conflict over the Strip and its waters. Is "Protective Edge" aimed at securing them under Israeli control?
East Asia
China and Japan can’t stop fighting World War II
China impounds a Japanese vessel over an unpaid wartime debt, as Japan builds a military base near the disputed Senkaku Islands. This World War II nostalgia is getting too real.