Iraq and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday reopened their land border for the first time in 30 years, with closer trade ties between the two countries irking allies of Riyadh's rival, Tehran. Top officials ... ( read original story ...)
Trump Makes It Official with Troop Reductions in Iraq, Afghanistan
The number of U.S. troops in both countries will be slashed by Jan. 15, 2021, according to the acting defense secretary. ( read original story ...)
Acting Pentagon chief cites risks during troop reductions in Afghanistan and Iraq
(Defense.gov via AP) WASHINGTON — The coming period of U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq is “fraught with risk,” but the military will not hesitate to strike back if extremists attempt ... ( read original story ...)
From a crab shack to Hyundai, China’s wrath over a U.S. missile defense system still weighs on South Korea
China has increasingly wielded its economic power against neighboring nations. It can keep tourists away and hold trade hostage while forcing new calculations in diplomacy and international investment ... ( read original story ...)
Facing a ‘crisis’, South Korea moves to tighten COVID-19 curbs
Authorities say tougher distancing measures necessary to limit spread following recent triple-digit jumps in cases. South Korea has managed to keep COVID-19 in check with extensive testing, tracing ... ( read original story ...)
Thailand’s Prime Minister Signals Tougher Measures Against Anti-Government Protests
Premier Prayuth Chan-ocha, who seized power in a coup six years ago, issued a statement addressing months of unrest, promising to use "all" the country's laws to quash the protests. ( read original story ...)
Iran candidate tells AP: US attack risks ‘full-fledged war’
An adviser to Iran's supreme leader who is a possible 2021 presidential candidate is warning that any American attack on the Islamic Republic could set off a “full-fledged ... ( read original story ...)
Iran accelerates its nuclear program while offering Biden a path back from confrontation.
Days after President Trump asked for options to take military action against Iran’s major nuclear site, the government in Tehran has sent conflicting signals, taking a major step to speed up its ... ( read original story ...)
Trump wanted to bomb Iran — and still could — leaving Biden to pick up the pieces
Trump still has time before he leaves office to cause the kind of toxic and even deadly diplomatic crisis that Biden will be hard-pressed to undo. ( read original story ...)
Turkey must stop provocations in eastern Mediterranean – Germany
Turkey has to cease provocations in the eastern Mediterranean if it wants to avoid new discussions about European Union sanctions against Ankara at an EU summit in December, German Foreign Minister ... ( read original story ...)