2008 DECEMBER
Dec. 31, 2008

Nepal's Refugee Camps
About 100,000 refugees from Bhutan have been living in U.N.-run refugee camps in eastern Nepal since the early 1990s. Many of these ethnic Nepalese are in the process of being resettled in other countries, but a few hard-liners are looking to return to Bhutan -- even through force.

  

Dec. 29, 2008

As Inauguration Day Draws Near, Obama's Foreign Policy Challenges Grow
The Mumbai terror attacks and this month's Gaza conflict have highlighted the many foreign policy issues President-elect Barack Obama will face as soon as he takes office. Columnists discuss how the president-elect and his team may prioritize the problems.

  

Dec. 29, 2008

Israeli, Palestinian Officials Outline Views on Gaza Battle
As Israel continues strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza amid rocket fire, Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor and U.N. Palestinian Observer Riyad Mansour discuss the conflict.

  

Dec. 29, 2008

Ugandan Rebels Kill Nearly 200 in Northeast Congo
Facing a new military campaign aimed at ending their 20-year war, Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army rebels have launched a series of attacks that have killed nearly 200 people in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the U.N. reported Monday.

Dec. 26, 2008

Israel Opens Gaza Border Despite Rocket Fire
Israel opened three border crossings into Gaza Friday, allowing in fuel and other goods for the first time in 10 days, as militants fired another round of rockets into Israel.

Dec. 22, 2008

Aid Group Names Top 10 Humanitarian Crises of 2008
The international humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders has named the world's worst crises of 2008, including neglected medical needs in Iraq, Zimbabwe and Myanmar. Ray Suarez speaks with the group's executive director, Nicolas de Torrente.

  

Dec. 18, 2008

Planner of Rwandan Massacres Gets Life Sentence
A U.N. tribunal convicted a senior Rwandan military officer Thursday of orchestrating Africa's largest genocide in modern history and sentenced him to life in prison for masterminding the deaths of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994.

Dec. 17, 2008

U.N. Takes New Steps to Curb Somalia's Pirates
After several recent pirate attacks, the U.N. Security Council authorized land and air operations to help stop the flow of the fighters from bases in Somalia. Experts examine the ramifications of the U.N. action.

  

Dec. 17, 2008

OPEC Agrees to Record Output Cut to Combat Falling Oil Prices
Oil prices fell to their lowest level in four years Wednesday, despite news that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to a larger-than-expected oil production cut of 2.2 million barrels per day.

Dec. 12, 2008

EU Energy Deal Boosts U.N. Climate Talks
Leaders of the European Union Friday announced a climate and energy package aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

Dec. 12, 2008

Profile: Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe, long-time leader of Zimbabwe, was hailed as a hero during his country's liberation from the UK, but has since maintained power in controversial elections and garnered international criticism for how he is running the African nation.

Dec. 9, 2008

Bush Joins Calls for Mugabe to Step Down
President Bush said in a statement Tuesday that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe should step down and called for African support to end his "tyranny" as a growing chorus of foreign leaders calls for the embattled leader to quit his post.

Dec. 8, 2008

Blackwater Guards Charged With Manslaughter in Shooting Deaths of Iraqis
Blackwater Worldwide security guards fired on innocent Iraqis with a machine gun and launched a grenade into a girls' school during a gruesome Baghdad shooting in 2007, prosecutors said Monday in announcing manslaughter charges against five guards.

Dec. 5, 2008

U.S. Calls for Zimbabwe's Mugabe to Resign as Power-sharing Deal Falters
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice increased pressure on Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to leave office after his government stalled on a power-sharing deal with the opposition party.

Dec. 4, 2008

Children Return to School in Myanmar
When Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar in early May 2008, tens of thousands of people were killed and many homes and other buildings leveled. About half of the schools were destroyed in the storm-affected areas in the South, and aid organizations scrambled to help the country rebuild and the children return to school.

Dec. 3, 2008

As Thousands Protest Indian Government, Rice Tells Pakistan to Aid Attacks Probe
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday that Pakistan has a "special responsibility" to cooperate with the probe into last week's attacks in Mumbai as protesters took to the streets to voice dissatisfaction with India's government.

Dec. 1, 2008

Obama Crafts Team to Rethink Foreign Policy Challenges
President-elect Obama announced his national security team Monday, choosing Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and keeping Robert Gates as defense secretary. Analysts including former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and Sen. Jack Reed discuss the picks.

  

Dec. 1, 2008

Obama Selects Susan Rice as Ambassador to U.N.
When President-elect Barack Obama nominated Susan Rice as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on Monday, Rice said she could think of "no more important time" to represent the United States to the world body.

NOVEMBER
Nov. 18, 2008

Congo Rebels Announce Pullback to Aid Peace Bid
In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, rebels announced a military pullback Tuesday to support a U.N. peace initiative and the government ousted its armed forces chief following a string of defeats.

Nov. 18, 2008

NATO Troops Fire at Insurgents in Pakistan
NATO forces based in Afghanistan fired 20 artillery rounds at insurgent fighters within Pakistan in an attack coordinated with the Pakistani government, NATO officials said Tuesday.

Nov. 17, 2008

Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker Headed for U.S.
Somali pirates hijacked a Saudi-owned supertanker Saturday hundreds of miles off the Horn of Africa, seizing the ship loaded with crude oil and its 25-member international crew, the U.S. Navy said Monday.

Nov. 17, 2008

Colombia's Displaced Face Education Challenges
About 3 million Colombians are refugees in their own country, forced to leave their homes by FARC rebels or from violence caused by paramilitary groups. Children of displaced families are especially vulnerable and sometimes have difficulty getting to school.

  

Nov. 15, 2008

G-20 Leaders Outline Joint Efforts to Avoid Future Economic Crises
As the G-20 economic summit drew to a close Saturday, President Bush and the leaders of nearly two dozen countries agreed to flag risky investing and regulatory loopholes in the hopes of preventing future financial meltdowns.

Nov. 14, 2008

Global Leaders Search for Financial Reforms at G-20 Summit
Hoping to rein in the global financial crisis, leaders are convening to hammer out plans to help their ailing markets and economies. Experts assess the challenges they will face in trying to reach meaningful agreements.

  

Nov. 14, 2008

G-20 Leadership Information
The G-20, which is comprised of leaders and financial officials from industrial and developing countries plus the European Union holds talks on Nov. 15 in Washington's National Building Museum. Following is a look at the group's membership.

Nov. 14, 2008

Leaders Gather to Assess Global Financial Woes
Leaders and central bank officers from more than 20 developed and emerging economies will gather this weekend in Washington to strategize on fixing major financial markets and assess the state of the global economic crisis.

Nov. 12, 2008

Sudanese President Announces Darfur Cease-fire, Rebels Reject Claim
Sudan's President Omar Bashir announced a unilateral cease-fire to end the violence in the country's western Darfur region, but the move was rejected by rebel groups and international human rights organizations.

Nov. 11, 2008

Growing Foreign Policy Concerns Add Challenges for Obama
President-elect Barack Obama will soon take on the challenges of two wars and a complex international arena. Two former national security advisers present the ideal foreign policy agenda from their new book.

  

Nov. 10, 2008

African Countries Poised to Send Peacekeepers to Congo
Countries of the South African Development Community said after a regional summit Sunday that they would send military advisers to help the Congolese government, and peacekeepers if necessary.

Nov. 7, 2008

Conflict Over Resources Sparks Renewed Crisis in Congo
Militia violence in eastern Congo has left many civilians dead in its wake. A Hoover Institution fellow and independent journalist details the causes of the fighting, the combatants involved in this civil war and limits on U.N. troops' involvement.

  

Nov. 6, 2008

In Turkey, Degrees of Change in Women's Rights
Turkey has made improvements in women's rights, but women still need better enforcement of laws and more representation in the labor force, politics and other key areas, according to the European Commission.

Nov. 6, 2008

U.N. Says Violence Spreading in Eastern Congo
U.N. peacekeepers found the bodies of a dozen shot citizens in an eastern Congo village occupied by Tutsi rebels, who have seized more territory in North Kivu province, the United Nations said Thursday.

OCTOBER
Oct. 31, 2008

Refugee Camps Targeted by Rebels in Congo
The United Nations said Friday that rebels have torched refugee camps in eastern Congo, forcing 50,000 people already displaced by the violence out of the camps.

Oct. 30, 2008

Accusations Fly as Shaky Cease-Fire Holds in Congo Rebellion
A day after declaring a cease-fire on violence in eastern Congo, the leader of a Tutsi rebellion said Thursday he wants direct talks with the Congolese government about management of the country's resources.

Oct. 28, 2008

U.N., Congolese Soldiers Retreat as Rebels Advance
Congolese soldiers and U.N. tanks were forced to retreat Tuesday from rebels vowing to take Congo's eastern provincial capital of Goma -- home to the local U.N. headquarters.

Oct. 27, 2008

Haiti Digs Out After the Storms
In the summer of 2008, Haiti was slammed by four hurricanes and tropical storms, which killed more than 800 people and left 1 million homeless. In the northern city of Gonaives alone, 500 people died in the storm-induced floods.

Oct. 24, 2008

Oil Prices Continue Slide as OPEC Agrees to Cut Production
Oil prices continued to slide Friday despite an agreement by OPEC members to cut production by 1.5 million barrels per day, in a new sign of the far-reaching fallout of the global financial crisis.

Oct. 20, 2008

Taliban Kill Christian Aid Worker in Afghanistan
Taliban gunmen killed a Christian aid worker walking to work Monday in Afghanistan's capital because she was spreading her religion, the militant group said.

Oct. 20, 2008

Stocks Rise on Signs of Credit Thaw, News of Global Summit
U.S. stocks rose Monday following word from President Bush, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso over the weekend that they plan to hold a series of summits on the global financial crisis.

Oct. 17, 2008

President Bush Stands by Government Action; Housing Starts Fall in September
President Bush sought to reassure Americans that moves taken by the federal government would be bold enough to ease the financial crisis even as new reports showed further declines in the housing market.

Oct. 17, 2008

Turkey Gains Non-permanent Seat on U.N. Security Council
Turkey was elected, along with four other countries, as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council on Friday for the first time since 1961.

Oct. 15, 2008

European Leaders Call for Summit to Overal Global Financial System
As the world's industrialized nations continued to roll out more plans to bolster flagging economies, European leaders called for a review of the global financial system.

Oct. 8, 2008

Cyprus Peace Talks Making Strides
After decades of intermittent negotiations, the divided island Cyprus appears to be in its best position yet to reach an agreement on a reunification plan. Hugh Pope of the International Crisis Group explains.

  

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 26, 2008

Nations Agree to Draft Resolution on Iran Nuclear Program
Six nations have agreed on a draft U.N. resolution on Iran's nuclear program, but it does not include new sanctions, per Russia's preference, European officials said Friday.

Sept. 25, 2008

Fragile Peacemaking Underway as Nepal Ushers in Democracy, Seeks Talks with U.S.
After a decade-long civil war that left about 13,000 people dead ended in 2006, Nepal has reached a milestone in its peace process even though it is being guided by the same man who led the insurgency.

Sept. 25, 2008

After Months of Wrangling, Iraqi Government Approves Election Law
After months of deadlock and negotiations, Iraq's Parliament overwhelmingly approved a provincial elections law on Wednesday, giving a much-needed boost to the country's U.S.-supported reconciliation efforts.

Sept. 24, 2008

N. Korea Bars U.N. Inspectors From Nuclear Plant
North Korea barred U.N. nuclear inspectors from accessing its main reactor and appears to be moving forward with plans to restart the plant despite a 2007 pact to end its atomic bomb program, officials said Wednesday.

Sept. 23, 2008

In U.N. Speech, President Bush Urges Unity Against Terrorism
In his eighth and final address to the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday, President Bush said that multinational organizations are now "needed more urgently than ever" to combat terrorists and extremists.

Sept. 18, 2008

Sweep Nets 25 Arrests After U.S. Embassy Attack
At least 25 militants with suspected links to al-Qaida were arrested in connection with Wednesday's coordinated ambush of the U.S. Embassy in Yemen's capital that killed 17, including a young Yemeni-American woman and her Yemeni husband.

Sept. 15, 2008

Mugabe Agrees to Share Power Under New Zimbabwe Deal
Zimbabwe's political rivals signed a landmark power-sharing agreement Monday that shows President Robert Mugabe of the ZANU-PF party loosening his grip on the economically ravaged country for the first time in nearly three decades.

AUGUST
Aug. 22, 2008

Some Russian Troops Seen Pulling out of Georgia
Russian troops began leaving several cities in Georgia on Friday, the day that Russia's president had said a pullback would be complete, but elsewhere they were still manning checkpoints and controlling traffic.

Aug. 20, 2008

U.S., Poland Sign Missile Defense Agreement
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski signed a deal Wednesday to build a U.S. missile defense base in Poland. The agreement infuriated Russia, which warned of possibly attacking the former Soviet satellite.

Aug. 19, 2008

NATO Warns Moscow No 'Business as Usual' Amid Conflict
During a NATO meeting Tuesday, world leaders warned Russia that its recent actions against Georgia could endanger Moscow's diplomatic relations. Analysts examine how the West and Russia have clashed over the crisis.

  

Aug. 19, 2008

Suicide Bomber Kills 43 at Algerian Police School
A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-rigged car into a police academy as applicants lined up to register for classes Tuesday, killing at least 43 people and injuring 38 others, Algeria's Interior Ministry said.

Aug. 18, 2008

Reports Contradict Russia's Claim of Withdrawal
Russia said Monday its military is withdrawing from Georgia, but left it unclear where its troops and tanks will operate under the cease-fire that ended more than a week of fighting in the former Soviet republic.

Aug. 14, 2008

Russia Voices Ongoing Support for Georgia's Separatist Enclaves
Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday that Moscow would continue to offer support to Georgia's breakaway provinces.

Aug. 13, 2008

Diplomats Analyze U.S. Response to Georgia Conflict
President Bush on Wednesday promised Georgia that the U.S. military would deliver aid to help it recover from its fighting with Russia. Former diplomats Lawrence Eagleburger and Madeleine Albright analyze the U.S. response.

  

Aug. 13, 2008

Experts Answered Questions on China's Olympic Moment
The Olympics has proved a mixed blessing for China as protesters have sought to use the event to highlight disputes over China's rule of Tibet and other issues. So how do the Olympics fit into China's past and its future on the international stage? Two China watchers answer your questions.

  

Aug. 12, 2008

Russia, Georgia Agree to Terms of Cease-fire Deal
The presidents of Russia and Georgia agreed Tuesday to the terms of a cease-fire deal aimed at ending the fighting over Georgia's breakaway province, South Ossetia. Vitaly Churkin, Russia's envoy to the U.N., discusses the crisis, and regional experts offer insight.

  

Aug. 11, 2008

Georgia-Russia Crisis Deepens, Diplomats Rush to Urge Cease-fire
Russian troops continued to push into separatist regions of Georgia on Monday and Georgian forces reportedly renewed some shelling of South Ossetia as violence continued to rage between the neighboring countries over the breakaway provinces.

Aug. 8, 2008

Soldiers Clash as Georgia, Russia Vie to Assert Power
Tensions between Georgia and Russia escalated Friday as Georgia sought control over the breakaway South Ossetia province and Russian tanks moved in to defend the pro-Russian enclave. Two experts explain the conflict.

  

Aug. 8, 2008

AIDS Conference Highlights Successes in Treatment, Struggles in Prevention
Researchers and activists focused on the search for an HIV vaccine and other prevention methods, as well as broadening access to HIV care across the globe, at this week's International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, which concluded Friday.

Aug. 6, 2008

Nations to Mull New Sanctions Against Iran for Nuclear Program
Six world powers agreed Wednesday to start considering a fourth U.N. Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to end its nuclear program.

Aug. 5, 2008

China Rolls Out Security Crackdown Ahead of Olympics
In preparation for the Olympics, China has mobilized thousands of police and military and enacted unusual security masures to protect Beijing during the Games. Analysts examine how Beijing has sought to hone its image and tighten its security.

  

Aug. 4, 2008

Attack Kills 16 Border Police in Northwest China
Two men slammed a dump truck into a group of jogging policemen then threw explosives into nearby barracks early Monday in far northwest China, killing 16 and wounding at least 16 more, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

JULY
July 31, 2008

Karadzic Appears in Court, Refuses to Enter Plea
Thirteen years after war crimes charges were levied against him, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic appeared for the first time Thursday at the U.N.'s tribunal, but he refused to immediately enter pleas on the 11 charges against him.

July 30, 2008

Trade Talks Collapse Highlight Differences Between Developing, Developed Worlds
Opposition from increasingly important China and India derailed efforts to negotiated a global trade deal Tuesday. With the talks stalled, two economic experts assess the impact on American and international businesses and farmers.

  

July 30, 2008

U.N. Reports Says North Korea Is in Food Crisis
Flooding and poor harvests have caused North Korea's worst food crisis in nearly a decade and have put millions at risk, the U.N. World Food Program said Wednesday as it called on donors to provide urgent assistance over the next few months.

July 30, 2008

Karadzic Spirited Out of Serbia to Face Tribunal
Under cover of night and amid tight security, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic was whisked out of Serbia early Wednesday to face genocide and war crimes charges in U.N. war crimes court in The Hague.

July 29, 2008

Zimbabwe Talks Adjourn; Mbeki Denies a Deadlock
South African President Thabo Mbeki denied Tuesday that talks between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had deadlocked, saying instead that the talks are "doing very well."

July 25, 2008

Olympic Preparations Ripple Through China
Beneath the surface of new structures and changing freedoms in China, the country has instituted broad initiatives ahead of its hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games. Scott Tong, China bureau chief for public radio's "Marketplace", talks about the run-up to the games.

  

July 23, 2008

Karadzic Faces Criminal Charges After Capture
Arrested after some 10 years in hiding, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic is slated to stand trial soon for his war crimes. Independent Television News examines the details of his arrest and the road ahead for a trial.

July 23, 2008

Former Bosnian Serb Leader Mladic Still at Large
Ratko Mladic, a name that has become synonymous with the Serb campaign of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia in the 1990s, continues to evade authorities and avoid facing charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

July 22, 2008

Judge Orders Karadzic into U.N. Tribunal Custody
A judge has ordered ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic to be handed over to the U.N. war crimes court to face charges of genocide and other atrocities against Muslims and Croats in his country, a Serbian prosecutor said Tuesday.

July 21, 2008

War Crimes Suspect Karadzic Arrested in Serbia
Bosnian Serb wartime president Radovan Karadzic, one of the world's most-wanted men for his role in civilian massacres, was arrested Monday evening in a sweep by Serbian security forces, President Boris Tadic's office said.

July 21, 2008

Zimbabwe's Mugabe, Tsvangirai Agree to Hold Power-Sharing Talks
After months of a bitter and violent political dispute, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed an agreement Monday outlining terms for formal talks on a power-sharing government.

July 16, 2008

Prisoner Swap Renews Focus on Israeli-Hezbollah Tensions
In a deal brokered by the U.N., Hezbollah handed over two coffins containing the remains of Israeli soldiers abducted two years ago, in exchange for the release of five Lebanese prisoners. Analysts discuss the deal, and the debate surrounding it.

  

July 15, 2008

Myanmar's Rice Crop Takes a Hit After Cyclone
The prospect of a meager rice crop threatens to add to Myanmar's travails from May's cyclone that left tens of thousands dead. Much of the country's rice fields are in the now-swamped Irrawaddy delta.

July 14, 2008

In Afghanistan, Troop Deaths Highlight Instability
On Sunday, Taliban militants waged the deadliest assault on U.S. and NATO troops in three years, highlighting the challenge of the ongoing armed conflict. A New York Times Magazine reporter and a counter-insurgency expert measure the complexity of the conflict.

  

July 14, 2008

Sudanese President Charged with Genocide in Darfur
The International Criminal Court prosecutor charged Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir with orchestrating genocide against African tribes in the western region of Darfur and called on the court to order his arrest.

July 11, 2008

Afghan Legal Reforms Run Afoul of Tribal Codes, Corruption
Afghanistan's central government has worked to improve its legal system for years, but tribal justice traditions, especially in rural areas, and corruption from within are proving to be significant hurdles.

July 11, 2008

International Criminal Court to Seek Arrest of Sudanese President
The International Criminal Court will seek an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for genocide and crimes against humanity committed in the western Darfur region of his country, ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Friday.

July 9, 2008

G-8 Vows to Cut Emissions but Divisions Remain
Leaders of the Group of Eight nations agreed Tuesday to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050. But on Wednesday, a group of five emerging economies refused to sign the deal, saying they want more aggressive emissions cuts. A reporter examines the story.

  

July 9, 2008

Seven Peacekeepers Killed in Darfur Ambush
Seven peacekeepers from a joint U.N.-African Union force were killed and 22 people were wounded when a convoy of gunmen attacked them in northern Darfur, the United Nations said Wednesday.

July 8, 2008

G-8 OKs Plan to Halve Global Emissions by 2050
Leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized nations agreed Tuesday on a target of cutting climate-changing gas emissions in half by 2050 -- an agreement lauded by the participants but rebuked by some environmentalists.

July 7, 2008

Aid to Africa Tops Agenda for G-8 Leaders
World leaders entered the second day of their annual G-8 summit prepared to focus on whether Africa is receiving enough aid amid soaring food and oil prices and concerns over climate change.

July 3, 2008

U.S. Submits Sanctions Against Zimbabwe to U.N.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad submitted a U.S.-drafted resolution to the U.N. Security Council against Zimbabwe after a flawed election marred by violence saw President Robert Mugabe claim another term.

July 2, 2008

G8 Leaders Urged to Turn Attention to Food Crisis
Ahead of the Group of Eight summit in Japan next week, World Bank President Robert Zoellick is calling on world leaders to renew their focus on the global food crisis what efforts to address food shortages as commodities' values escalate.

  

July 1, 2008

African Union Leaders Urge Political Dialogue in Zimbabwe
The African Union called on Zimbabwe Tuesday to create a government of national unity following last week's disputed runoff election that saw Robert Mugabe enter a sixth presidential term. Analysts examine the crisis.

  

JUNE
June 30, 2008

WFP Reaches Deal to Expand Food Aid to North Korea as U.S. Wheat Arrives
In a rare move, North Korea granted international aid workers from the United Nations' Word Food Program more access to expand efforts to ease a growing food crisis as the first U.S. ship filled with wheat arrived in a port near Pyongyang.

June 30, 2008

At Summit, African Leaders Call on Zimbabwe to Settle Post-election Crisis
African Union leaders gathered in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday with Zimbabwe's election top on the agenda a day after Robert Mugabe claimed the country's presidency in a disputed runoff election.

June 24, 2008

Zimbabwe's Government Defies International Pressure on Run-off Vote
Zimbabwe's ambassador to the United Nations, Boniface Chidyausiku, explains his country's plan to host a run-off presidential election Friday, despite the U.N. Security Council's declaration that a fair election is not possible during the present political crisis.

  

June 23, 2008

European Union Imposes New Sanctions on Iran
European Union nations agreed on Monday to impose new sanctions against Iran, including an assets freeze of the country's biggest bank, which is suspected of providing services to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

June 23, 2008

Tsvangirai Withdraws from Zimbabwe Runoff, Seeks Refuge in Dutch Embassy
Police in Zimbabwe raided the opposition party's headquarters and took away about 60 people Monday, a party spokesman said. The raid came a day after the party's presidential candidate withdrew from a runoff against longtime President Robert Mugabe.

June 18, 2008

Israel Reaches Out to Lebanon Amid Regional Peace Efforts
Following news of a truce with Hamas, peace talks with Syria and prisoner-swap negotiations with Lebanon's Hezbollah, the Israeli government announced Wednesday that it is interested in opening negotiations with Lebanon.

June 12, 2008

Donors Pledge $15 Billion for Afghan Rebuilding
The international community pledged more than $15 billion in aid to Afghanistan at a donors' conference in Paris Thursday, while Afghan President Hamid Karzai promised to fight corruption that has hindered past aid efforts.

June 11, 2008

Annan: World Must Help African Nations Tackle Food Crisis
Fuel costs and supply shortages have caused a spike in food prices across Africa -- prompting calls for an agricultural revolution on the continent. Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan discusses efforts to address the crisis.

  

June 9, 2008

President Bush Visits Europe with Afghanistan, Iran on Agenda
President Bush departed for Europe Monday to ask leaders for more help in Afghanistan and more pressure on Iran. His first stop was in Slovenia for the last U.S.-European Union summit of his presidency.

June 6, 2008

Myanmar Cyclone Victims Face Continued Hardships
A month has passed since Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar and, in the interim, international aid groups negotiated with the country's reclusive military regime for better access to the stricken country. ITN's Channel 4 News correspondent Inigo Gilmore provides an update.

  

June 5, 2008

World Leaders Pledge to Ease Food Crisis After Political Squabbling
World leaders at a United Nations food summit pledged Thursday to reduce trade barriers and boost agricultural production to combat the food crisis that is spreading hunger and violent unrest across the globe.

June 4, 2008

Renewed Violence in Zimbabwe Raises Fresh Election Concerns
Robert Mugabe's pre run-off election crack-down has been extended aid groups, which the president calls foreign spy organizations. A panel of experts discuss the new reports of violence and what this means for Zimbabwe's future.

  

June 3, 2008

U.N. Chief Calls for Food Production to Rise
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday that world food production must rise 50 percent by 2030 to meet a burgeoning world population's growing demand.

June 2, 2008

Nuclear Inspectors Head to Syria to Look at Site Bombed by Israel
International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei announced Monday that an inspection team was heading to Syria June 22 to clear up the lingering mystery about a Syrian military site bombed in an Israeli raid in September.

MAY
May 28, 2008

Report Accuses Peacekeepers, Aid Workers of Child Sexual Abuses
Some children in conflict and crisis zones are being sexually exploited by aid workers and peacekeepers, with much of the abuse going unreported and unpunished, the British non-profit group Save the Children said on Tuesday.

May 28, 2008

Myanmar's Government Slowly Opens to Foreign Aid
Weeks after Cyclone Nargis devastated portions of Myanmar, its reclusive government has slowly allowed small numbers of foreign aid workers to enter the country. U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes updates the humanitarian situation.

  

May 27, 2008

IAEA Voices 'Serious Concern' on Iran's Nuclear Ability
The International Atomic Energy Agency released a report Monday stating that Iran's suspected research into nuclear weapons remained "a matter of serious concern." Analysts examine what actions the international community should take.

  

May 23, 2008

Myanmar OKs Greater Access for Aid Workers but Obstacles Remain
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said Friday that Myanmar's ruling junta had agreed to allow "all aid workers" into the cyclone-ravaged country -- although questions remain as to the timing and logistics of such access. Two aid officials discuss the state of relief efforts.

  

May 22, 2008

Death Toll from China Quake Could Reach 80,000
More than 80,000 people are estimated dead or missing 10 days after the 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan province in central China, the government said Thursday, as fears rose that disease, rainy weather and aftershocks could stir more problems.

May 22, 2008

U.N. Head Visits Myanmar to Coax Aid Effort
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived Thursday in cyclone-damaged Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, to meet with Senior Gen. Than Shwe in hopes of convincing the stringent military junta to loosen restrictions on international aid.

May 19, 2008

Myanmar Allows U.N. Officials to Tour Hard-hit Areas
U.N. officials began to tour the cyclone-devastated Irrawaddy delta in Myanmar on Monday, though some U.N. staffers still reported problems gaining access to the tightly controlled country. A senior U.S. diplomat in Rangoon, also known as Yangon, provides an update.

  

May 16, 2008

Aid Efforts Continue as China's Quake Toll Rises
The Chinese government revised the estimated death toll from the massive May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province to 50,000, as cleanup and rescue efforts continued.

May 16, 2008

U.N. Chief Details Diplomatic Efforts on Myanmar Crisis
Two major natural disasters have hit Myanmar and China in as many weeks. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discusses the two crises, and diplomatic efforts to get the Myanmar government to quicken its pace of allowing in foreign assistance.

  

May 16, 2008

Olympics Mark China's 'Coming of Age'
China's hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics thrust the Asian nation into the international spotlight and is viewed by many inside the country as a way to showcase how far the communist regime has come in opening up to the world over the past few decades.

May 16, 2008

Olympics Highlight Press Curbs in China
Though the Chinese have made efforts to increase press freedoms for foreign journalists covering the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, reporters are still expecting to encounter some challenges based on long-standing restrictions and mentalities.

May 16, 2008

Beijing Pollution Poses Challenge to Olympic Athletes
Athletes participating in the Beijing Olympics this summer could face a troubling combination of polluted air and hot, humid weather conditions if the Chinese government is not able to clear the skies in time for the games.

May 16, 2008

Tibet Tests China's Movement on Human Rights
When China bested four other finalists to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, the win brought a new global status but also renewed scrutiny on its handling of free speech and human rights, particularly in the area of Tibet.

May 16, 2008

Olympic Stadiums Around the Globe
As the clock ticks down to the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, two scholars look back at the stories surrounding Olympic stadiums around the world, from the Berlin facility that survived the bombings of World War II to Athens' sky-high infrastructure costs in 2004.

  

May 16, 2008

Interactive: Compare Life in Olympic Host Cities
Wonder how much a movie ticket costs in Seoul? Or a taxi ride in Athens? Compare some facts and figures about current day-to-day life in these seven summer Olympic host cities.

May 16, 2008

More Rain Threatens Cyclone Victims' Well-Being
Survivors of the cyclone that ravaged Myanmar's Irrawaddy delta have received little emergency aid from the country's ruling military junta, though government officials insist their relief operations are running smoothly.

May 14, 2008

For Indiana Community, Myanmar's Cyclone Crisis Hits Home
Fort Wayne, Ind., is home to one of the largest Myanmar immigrant communities in the United States. Elizabeth Brackett reports on the community's unique perspective on the handling of the humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of the cyclone that devastated the country.

  

May 14, 2008

Quake Is Formidable Challenge to China's Government
Rescue and relief efforts continue in China as the death toll from Monday's 7.9-magnitude earthquake neared 15,000 and is expected to rise, with tens of thousands still buried in rubble. An analyst examines how the country and its government have handled the disaster.

  

May 14, 2008

Helicopters Drop Food to Isolated Earthquake Survivors in China
As the official death toll in China's massive earthquake neared 15,000 Wednesday, military helicopters dropped food and medicine to survivors who remained cut off in remote mountain villages.

May 13, 2008

Aid Organizations Face Continuing Hurdles in Myanmar
France, Britain and Germany called for humanitarian aid to continue to flow to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar despite sporadic government resistance. Andrew Kirkwood, country director for Save the Children in Myanmar, describes the challenges aid groups are facing.

  

May 13, 2008

Q & A With Dr. Asis Min of Doctors Without Borders
Dr. Asis Min of Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres is working in the aid group's operations base in Bassein in the southwestern Irrawaddy delta region of Myanmar -- the area hit hardest by the cyclone.

May 12, 2008

Myanmar's Rulers Hold Tight to Power Amid Cyclone Crisis
In the aftermath of last week's destructive cyclone, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar has thrown a spotlight on the military junta governing the country. A former U.S. ambassador to Myanmar and professor born in the country examine the country's government structure.

  

May 12, 2008

Aid Official Discusses Challenges of Working in Myanmar
The military regime governing Myanmar has been slow to relax its grip on things even in the wake of the current humanitarian crisis there, which has drawn criticism from many quarters. An official with a nonprofit working in Myanmar describes the challenges they face there.

  

May 11, 2008

More Aid Enters Myanmar; Referendum Vote Held
Food and water began reaching more of Myanmar's cyclone victims Sunday, but the government made no indication that it would allow foreign aid workers into the country to distribute the goods.

May 9, 2008

Damage in Myanmar Is Revealed as Aid Trickles In
As thousands of people in Myanmar continue to languish in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, humanitarian assistance is slowly trickling in despite disputes with the country's military rulers over the distribution of the aid. Two aid officials update the situation.

  

May 9, 2008

Cyclone Nargis Batters Myanmar
A cyclone that smashed into Myanmar flattened villages, knocked out electricity and immersed low-lying regions. U.N. officials warned of an eventual death toll of 100,000 due to a lack of food and water and the risk of disease.

May 9, 2008

U.N. Resumes Aid to Myanmar Despite Junta Actions
The U.N. World Food Program said Friday it would continue to send aid to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar, despite the military government seizing the supplies at the airport in order to distribute the shipments on its own.

May 8, 2008

Aid Begins to Trickle Into Myanmar but Recovery Is Slow
The first relief shipments arrived in Myanmar Thursday after resistance from the country's reclusive military government to foreign assistance. Shari Villarosa, the top U.S. diplomat in Rangoon, and UNICEF's Richard Bridle discuss the aid response for the tens of thousands left homeless by the cyclone.

  

May 8, 2008

U.N. Aid Begins Arriving in Cyclone-damaged Myanmar
Shipments of food, medicine and other relief items began arriving in Myanmar Thursday to help victims of a cyclone that battered the country on Saturday, but U.S. military planes loaded with supplies were still being denied access.

May 7, 2008

Death Toll Rises in Myanmar as Aid Groups Face Obstacles
A senior U.S diplomat in Myanmar said Wednesday that the death toll from Tropical Cyclone Nargis could reach 100,000, as disease outbreaks remain a threat and some aid groups face difficulty gaining access to the country. A United Nations official discusses efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the military-ruled country.

  

May 6, 2008

Cyclone Death Toll Soars as Myanmar Reels From Disaster
The estimated death toll from Saturday's cyclone in Myanmar increased to 22,000 Tuesday with 41,000 still missing and possibly 1 million left homeless, according to relief agencies. The head of the U.S. embassy in Rangoon and a reporter recap the situation.

  

May 6, 2008

Indonesia Mulls Quitting OPEC; Oil Prices Leap Past $122 a Barrel
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Tuesday that his country is considering dropping out of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries based on its declining oil output.

May 6, 2008

Death Toll Surpasses 22,000 in Myanmar; Groups Poised to Rush in Aid
Myanmar's government raised the death toll from the weekend's cyclone to more than 22,000 on Tuesday and said another 41,000 were missing, as aid groups awaited visas to bring supplies to the devastated Asian nation.

May 5, 2008

Myanmar Cyclone Death Toll Could Top 10,000
The foreign minister of Myanmar's strict military junta said Monday that the death toll from Saturday's cyclone strike could continue to skyrocket.

May 5, 2008

Relief for World Food Crisis Made More Difficult by Cyclones, Riots
In the wake of the devastating cyclone in Myanmar and widespread rioting in Somalia, the international community continues to try and respond with food relief programs to confront the rising need. World Food Program's head Josette Sheeran discusses the relief efforts.

  

May 5, 2008

Massive Cyclone Ravages Myanmar, Tests Government
A large cyclone hit the nation of Myanmar Saturday, bringing widespread damage and causing major harm to its citizens, killing upwards of 10,000 people. Relief agencies are rushing to respond, and the event is seen by many as a test of the military junta's ability to direct the relief effort.

  

May 2, 2008

Growing Hunger in Malawi Stirs Food Aid Debate
Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on the debate over the benefits of providing cash or crops to recipient nations. He also looks into the growing effects of domestic farm law on world food markets.

  

APRIL
April 23, 2008

As Food Prices Soar, U.N. Calls for International Help
The head of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization urged help Wednesday for countries affected by a global food crisis caused by sharp increases in the prices of rice and wheat. Experts discuss the causes and consequences of high food prices.

  

April 23, 2008

Global Food Prices Dubbed a 'Silent Tsunami'
The global food shortage and soaring cost of staple foods is a "silent tsunami," the U.N. World Food Program said Tuesday, before a food summit hosted by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to discuss the growing crisis.

April 21, 2008

Iraq PM Seeks Neighbors' Diplomatic, Fiscal Help
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday urged other Arab countries to reopen their embassies in the capital and to cancel his country's debts as a show of support for his government as it cracks down on militias in Iraq.

April 18, 2008

Iraqi Refugees Try to Adjust to New Life
Because of continued fighting and instability, more than 4 million Iraqis have fled to other parts of Iraq or to other countries where they feel safer. Some are living in dilapidated refugee camps or trying to get by in other countries.

April 18, 2008

Pope Benedict Urges Respect for Human Rights at U.N.
Pope Benedict XVI spoke Friday at the United Nations, saying respect for human rights should be the focus of international cooperation, but warning "multilateral consensus" is "subordinated to the decisions of a small number."

April 16, 2008

Iran's Role in Iraq, Nuclear Ambitions Cloud U.S. Policy
Six-nation talks over Iran's nuclear ambitions ended Wednesday in stalemate, though President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he was open to continued talks. Amid allegations of an Iranian role in Iraqi violence, analysts consider the state of U.S.-Iranian relations.

  

April 14, 2008

Zimbabwe Court Rejects Call to Release Vote Tally
Zimbabwe's High Court dealt a major blow to opposition party leaders on Monday by rejecting their demand that the results from the March 29 presidential election be released.

April 10, 2008

Mugabe, Opposition to Attend Emergency Summit
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and opposition presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai will meet with leaders of southern African nations this weekend in an emergency summit to discuss the deepening political standoff in the country.

April 9, 2008

Olympic Torch Relay Puts Chinese Policies in Focus
China is facing increasing scrutiny for many of its policies as the Summer Games in Beijing draw closer -- and protesters have seized the Olympic torch's current global tour as a platform to voice opposition to China's rule of Tibet, among other issues. Two analysts discuss the protests.

  

April 3, 2008

U.S. Wins NATO Support for Missile Shield Plan
President Bush secured NATO endorsement Thursday for his plans to construct a missile defense shield in Europe despite firm Russian opposition but failed to win backing for the quick accession of Ukraine and Georgia to the alliance.

April 1, 2008

Eye on Arctic Pollution
Researchers are taking a close look at the makeup and movement of pollutants at the Arctic. Learn more about some of their field studies in this slide show.

April 1, 2008

Scientists Plot Pollutants' Path at the Arctic
The Arctic is a receptacle of the planet's air pollutants -- from forest fires to human-produced carbon dioxide emissions -- and a coordinated international effort is geared toward learning more about pollutants' effects at the top of the globe.

MARCH
March 26, 2008

Somali Islamists Capture Town; Aid Agencies Call for Action
Islamist fighters took control of the town of Jowhar, Somalia, on Wednesday in an ongoing insurgency against the Western-backed government that has gathered steam in recent months.

March 18, 2008

Protests Against China, Violence Continue in Tibet
Anti-Chinese protests and violence continued Tuesday in Tibet. The Chinese government blamed the exiled Dalai Lama for the violence. Lindsey Hilsum of Independent Television News reports on the situation in Tibet.

March 17, 2008

Serbs Clash with U.N., NATO Forces in Kosovo
Hundreds of Serbians protesters fought with U.N. and NATO forces Monday at a Kosovska Mitrovica courthouse in the worst violence since Kosovo claimed its independence a month ago.

March 13, 2008

Government Fallout Continues in Serbia over Kosovo, EU Membership
Serbia's president dissolved parliament Thursday and called for snap elections after weeks of tension over Kosovo's independence and Serbia's quest for European Union membership.

March 11, 2008

Kenya's Unrest: Key Players
Key players in Kenyan politics and mediation efforts include President Mwai Kibaki, opposition leader Raila Odinga and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

March 11, 2008

Kenyan Violence Creates Stress on Uganda, Aid Groups
Nearly 300,000 people were displaced within Kenya and Uganda when disputed elections sparked bloody riots. International aid organizations have been working to help families amid the threat of resurgent violence and peoples' reluctance to return to perilous areas.

March 11, 2008

Costs at the Pump Reach Record as Oil Prices Soar
Prices at the gas pump rose to a record high Tuesday as oil prices climbed, putting further strain on American consumers already confronted with slumping home values and overall concerns about a lackluster economy.

March 4, 2008

Falling Dollar Pushes Oil Prices Up, Weakening Economy
As the value of the dollar falls, the price of imported oil rises, which impacts costs from the gas pump to the grocery store. A reporter from the Wall Street Journal examines the current state of oil prices.

  

FEBRUARY
Feb. 26, 2008

Arctic Seed Vault Aims to Protect Genetic Diversity of World's Crops
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault--the "Noah's ark" of plants--is carved out of a sandstone mountainside on a Norwegian island only about 600 miles from the North Pole. The vault is designed to keep crop seeds safe and protect the genetic diversity of the world's food supply in the face of a global natural or man-made disaster.

Feb. 22, 2008

In Iraq, Al-Sadr Extends Cease-fire Order to Militia
Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced Friday that he has extended a cease-fire order to his Shiite militia in Iraq for another six months, allowing the country more time to recover from brutal sectarian violence.

Feb. 18, 2008

U.S. Envoy Discusses Kosovo Independence Declaration
Despite pressure from Serbia and Russia, the province of Kosovo declared itself independent from Serbia on Sunday. Ambassador Frank Wisner, the U.S. special envoy to Kosovo, discusses the implications of the Albanian-majority province's declaration of independence.

  

Feb. 13, 2008

U.N. Envoy Answers Questions on Darfur Crisis
After years of violence, the situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate, United Nations officials have said. Experts estimate that 200,000 people have died and nearly 2.5 million have been displaced. U.N. envoy to Darfur Jan Eliasson answered your questions on the Darfur crisis and the international role in the region.

  

Feb. 13, 2008

Democratic Republic of Congo: Toils of War
The Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa is striving to recover from a five-year interstate war and its aftereffects, including widespread poverty and disease. All photos are from the International Rescue Committee.

Feb. 12, 2008

Segregated Communities May Spell Trouble in Iraq
As Iraqis who fled their homes during the war begin to return, some are finding it safer to move into areas inhabited by other members of their sect, creating segregated communities of Shia and Sunni Muslims at ever-increasing rates.

Feb. 8, 2008

U.N. Envoy: Darfur Faces New Dangers Amid Chad Unrest
U.N. special envoy to Darfur Jan Eliasson painted a bleak picture of the war-torn Sudanese region Friday, warning that rebel groups had made only limited progress toward peace talks. In an interview, Eliasson details the latest developments in Darfur and explains how unrest in neighboring Chad may further inflame the crisis.

  

Feb. 7, 2008

Afghan War Troop Levels Strain NATO Alliance
NATO is struggling to remain unified over the war in Afghanistan after the United States raised concerns that some members of the Western alliance were not willing to let their troops "fight and die" to defeat the Taliban.

Feb. 6, 2008

After Coup Attempt, Chad's President Asserts He's in Control
Chad President Idriss Deby reemerged Wednesday to declare that his government was in total control of the country after a failed coup attempt last weekend.

Feb. 4, 2008

Serbian President Wins Re-election, Vows Pro-Western Course
Serbian President Boris Tadic edged out his nationalist rival to win re-election in a weekend vote and pledged Monday to continue his pro-Western course as questions loomed over Kosovo's impending declaration of independence.

JANUARY
Jan. 30, 2008

Iraq Looks to Revive Agriculture Sector
Iraq's winter rains have yet to arrive and the country's Northern provinces are suffering from a drought, adding to the burden of farmers already dealing with poor soil, a lack of power and equipment, and other difficulties.

Jan. 29, 2008

Formal Mediation Begins in Conflict-torn Kenya
Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan began formal mediation talks Tuesday in Kenya, where post-election violence has killed hundreds and driven thousands from their homes.

Jan. 25, 2008

Drop in Violence in Iraq Opens Door to Local-level Talks
A subtle turning point occurred in Iraq in the fall of 2007 when security improved and violence abated to a point where grassroots reconciliation and community rebuilding efforts could take root.

Jan. 23, 2008

Gazans Flood into Egypt After Border Wall Topples
Tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into Egypt from the Gaza Strip to buy fuel, food and other supplies Wednesday after masked gunmen used land mines to blast down sections of a seven-mile fence dividing the border town of Rafah.

Jan. 18, 2008

AU Head Calls for Peacekeepers to Stay in Somalia
African Union Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare called Friday for peacekeeping troops to remain in Somalia for an additional six months amid near daily clashes in the capital, Mogadishu.

Jan. 14, 2008

Kenya's Lawmakers to Reconvene Despite Continued Unrest
Kenya's feuding political parties are bracing for a contentious week as the sharply divided Parliament reconvenes and opposition leaders plan mass demonstrations.

Jan. 2, 2008

Death Toll Passes 300 in Kenya's Election Violence
Dozens of Kenyans were burned alive in a church on Tuesday and more than 300 have been killed in a wave of violence since last week's controversial re-election of President Mwai Kibaki.