Iran
Iran bank drops dollar amid new sanctions
The Central Bank of Iran formally dropped its use of the US dollar as Trump slapped new sanctions on the Islamic Republic in response to its latest missile test.
Tag: nuclear threat
Planet Watch
Doomsday Clock: 2.5 minutes of midnight
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the minute hand of its symbolic Doomsday Clock from three minutes to two-and-a-half minutes to midnight.
East Asia
Taiwan Strait in the Trump world order
Did Tsai Ing-wen exploit Trump's anti-China stance to score a point against Beijing? Or was she herself played by Cold Warriors who seek to exploit Taiwan in the Great Game?
North America
Trump’s ‘election’: Russian-backed fascist coup?
With Cossacks joining the Klan in celebrating Trump's victory, stateside activists are demanding a recount in swing states, citing fears the vote was hacked by Russian agents.
Greater Middle East
The new Axis: Moscow, Damascus, Washington
Trump's election has given Russia a green light for the destruction of Aleppo; Bashar Assad now has the open support of both superpowers in his war of extermination.
Iraq
Syria and Iraq in the Trump world order
Trump intends to divide Syria with Putin the way Hitler divided Poland with Stalin—but will the US will be able to control its sphere amid social collapse and sectarian maelstrom?
Greater Middle East
Russia delivers Aleppo ultimatum —with war fleet
Vladimir Putin issued an ultimatum to the defenders of Aleppo's rebel-held east that they abandon the city, as a Russian war fleet approaches Syria's coast.
Planet Watch
UN moves to outlaw nuclear weapons in 2017
The UN adopted a resolution—hailed by disarmament campaigners as an important landmark—to launch negotiations in 2017 on a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons.
Greater Middle East
Syria: nuclear flashpoint
The breakdown of US-Russia cooperation over Syria comes as Moscow moves missiles to the Polish border and withdraws from an agreement on plutonium disposal.
Oceania
World Court turns down nuclear arms case
The International Court of Justice refused to hear a claim by the Marshall Islands that the UK, India and Pakistan have failed to fulfill treaty obligations to halt the nuclear arms race.
Europe
Cold War nostalgia as ‘missile shield’ goes live
The US anti-missile station in Romania was officially activated, to harsh protests from Moscow—as NATO prepares to deploy German troops in the Baltic republics.
East Asia
Real threat in North Korea: regime collapse
North Korea's missile tests point to a desperate regime trying to keep its own populace distracted, and to spook the international community into providing food aid.