The Spratlys and the Paracels would hardly seem to be worth fighting over. Consisting of a few small islands and a few dozen rock outcroppings, many of which are underwater at high tide, they lack a source of fresh water and have never been inhabited — until now.
Nations with hostages in Algeria have reacted with muted anger to the North African country's decision to launch a military rescue mission without consultation.
By successfully firing a rocket that put a satellite in space, North Korea let the far-flung buyers of its missiles know that it is still open for business. But Pyongyang will find that customers are hard to come by as old friends drift away and international sanctions lock down its sales.
When international talks about Iran's nuclear program reconvene next month, a key test of progress will be whether U.N. inspectors get access to a bus-sized metal chamber, where specialists suspect Iranians might have tested a trigger for an atomic bomb.
Syrian soldiers opened fire in the restive city of Homs on Tuesday, and armored vehicles rolled through its streets, activists said, as the U.N. secretary-general urged the world community to take action on Syria.
U.S. military forces will still be able to target al Qaeda terrorists in mountainous Southwest Asia with remotely piloted drones based in Afghanistan should Pakistan's government deny the use of its territory to launch attacks.
The Pentagon is studying how to expand the use of highly effective combat drone aircraft from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to other commands, including Pacific Command and Africa Command.
A "no-fly zone" over Libya likely would have a limited impact on Col. Moammar Gadhafi's offensives against rebel forces and civilians, military experts said Tuesday as pressure appeared to be intensifying for restrictions.
