Iran and six world powers - the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China - are in what may be the final phase of negotiations aimed at securing a deal on sanctions relief in exchange for limits on Iranian nuclear activities.

• June 28, 2015

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's plan to hold a referendum on July 5 on creditors demands for austerity has all but killed off talks for aid and left the country close to a default and a financial crisis that could pave the way for a euro zone exit.

• June 28, 2015

"If you break it, you own it," former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell warned President George W. Bush before his invasion of Iraq.

• June 28, 2015

The West should not drop its guard over Ukraine, the country's defense minister said on Friday, saying a build-up of Russian forces in support of separatists showed President Vladimir Putin was bent on seizing control of the country.

• June 26, 2015

European Union leaders will not negotiate financing-for-reforms with Greece at their summit on Thursday and want Athens to reach a deal with euro zone finance ministers on Wednesday even if talks are to take all night, a senior EU official said.

• June 24, 2015

European Union foreign ministers extended economic sanctions on Russia until Jan. 31 on Monday, keeping up pressure on Moscow to help resolve the Ukraine conflict.

• June 22, 2015

The Philippines will hold separate naval exercises with U.S. and Japanese forces this week on a Philippine island that is not far from the disputed Spratly archipelago, where China's rapid creation of seven island outposts is stoking regional tensions.

• June 22, 2015

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics
16 May – 17 June 2015
By John VanPool, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst

Key Points:

• The AKP loses its parliamentary majority for the first time in 13 years, leaving the party in search of a coalition partner.
• As coalition talks begin, a nationalist AKP-MHP government appears to be the most likely scenario, though the MHP demands that Erdogan retain a ceremonial role and that investigations into AKP corruption be part of any agreement.
• An AKP-CHP “grand” coalition is possible, and, while less likely, might be a positive arrangement that could temper each party’s more extreme positions.
• The Kurdish HDP passes the parliamentary threshold, but the fate of the PKK peace process hangs in the balance as relations with the AKP have hit an all-time low.
• Uncertainty over the next government have put the brakes on the Turkish Stream Pipeline Project.
• Brussels congratulates Turkey on the elections, yet the country’s EU accession talks look unlikely to pick up speed any time soon.

• June 22, 2015