Afghan President Hamid Karzai is pushing ahead with talks aimed at bringing peace and stability to the country. But his most recent efforts were not focused on the Taliban. Mr. Karzai told Afghanistan’s parliament Saturday he recently met with representatives of Hizb-i-Islami, the radical militia headed by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Hizb-i-Islami operates on both sides of […]
Pakistan, India Call for Extending Agreement on Preventing Nuclear Accidents
Posted December 27th, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
Pakistan and India say officials from both sides have called for extending an agreement on reducing the risk of nuclear accidents relating to their countries’ atomic weapon stockpiles. Pakistani and Indian government experts discussed nuclear confidence-building measures in Islamabad on Tuesday, the second day of a two-day dialogue between the nuclear-armed rivals. The talks are […]
Pakistan Proposes Demilitarization of Kashmir Border
Posted December 27th, 2011 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Pakistani and Indian officials are considering a proposal to demilitarize the border of the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, as the two countries hold a second day of weapons talks in Islamabad Tuesday. During the first day of talks, Pakistan proposed that both sides remove all heavy weaponry at least 30 kilometers from the Line […]
US: Australia Troop Deployment ‘Not about China’
Posted December 8th, 2011 at 1:45 am (UTC-5)
A senior U.S. defense department official says the recently announced plan to deploy U.S. troops in Australia is not aimed at containing Chinese influence in the region. U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy said Thursday that she has told her Chinese counterparts that the move “really isn’t about China.” Flournoy met Wednesday […]
Chinese, US Defense Officials Meet in Beijing for Annual Talks
Posted December 7th, 2011 at 1:35 am (UTC-5)
U.S. and Chinese defense officials are meeting in Beijing for the first high-level talks since bilateral relations were strained by an American arms sale to Taiwan and the announcement of a U.S. plan to deploy troops in Australia. U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michel Flournoy opened the annual talks Wednesday with China’s deputy […]
UN Envoy Warns of Consequences if Cyprus Reunification Talks Collapse
Posted December 1st, 2011 at 11:40 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations envoy for Cyprus says it is unlikely the ethnically divided island will ever be reunified if the latest peace talks aimed at creating a federation collapse. Alexander Downer says if the three-year negotiations between internationally recognized Greek Cypriots and the breakaway Turkish Cypriots reach a complete deadlock, it would end the process […]
US, China Hold Annual Trade Talks
Posted November 21st, 2011 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
A top Chinese economic official appealed for cooperation during trade talks with U.S. delegates Monday in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu. Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan warned the U.S. delegates against politicizing the negotiations. U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson warned that attitudes toward trade ties with China are worsening in Washington. The U.S.-Chinese […]
US, China Hold Annual Trade Talks
Posted November 21st, 2011 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
A top Chinese economic official appealed for cooperation during trade talks with U.S. delegates Monday in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu. Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan warned the U.S. delegates against politicizing the negotiations. U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson warned that attitudes toward trade ties with China are worsening in Washington. The U.S.-Chinese […]
South Sudan Rebel Leader Says Peace Talks Failed, Violence Likely
Posted November 20th, 2011 at 3:35 pm (UTC-5)
South Sudanese rebel leader George Athor Deng says peace talks with the country’s ruling party have broken down, and that his forces are prepared to continue fighting against the government. Speaking in Nairobi Sunday, Athor said key demands of his South Sudanese Democratic Movement were not met during talks last week with South Sudanese President […]
South Sudan Rebel Leader Says Peace Talks Failed, Violence Likely
Posted November 20th, 2011 at 12:15 pm (UTC-5)
South Sudanese rebel leader George Athor Deng says peace talks with the country’s ruling party have broken down, and that his forces are prepared to continue fighting against the government. Speaking in Nairobi Sunday, Athor said key demands of his South Sudanese Democratic Movement were not met during talks last week with South Sudanese President […]
