Mixed messages regarding the potential release of the remaining political prisoners have been coming out of Belarus and from those monitoring the domestic situation in that country.

• May 10, 2013

If Iran's supreme leader were to write a job description for the country's next president, loyalty and obedience to the Islamic establishment would be high on the list of requirements.

• May 9, 2013

Syria hopes to clinch more financial aid from its allies Russia and Iran soon, but still has enough foreign reserves to pursue its war on rebels trying to oust President Bashar al-Assad, the central bank governor said.

• April 24, 2013

Ford and General Motors are reviving two familiar nameplates at the Shanghai Auto Show this week in a bid to make inroads in China, where the auto market could soon eclipse the U.S. and European markets combined.

• April 23, 2013

China will refuse to grant new licenses to iron ore importers unless they participate in a domestic trading platform, in a fresh move by the world's biggest iron ore consumer to wrestle pricing power away from global miners.

• April 22, 2013

If postwar Iraq's first major elections are the barometer of its ability to maintain security on its own, the government appears to be failing the test.

• April 22, 2013

Russia's government institutions and a significant number of private companies have not suffered any damage from the crisis in Cyprus, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.

• April 18, 2013

India and Tajikistan Monday discussed the situation in Afghanistan where international forces are set for a drawdown next year, and agreed that the global community should strengthen Afghanistan's capacity to maintain peace, stability and prosperity of its people.

• April 15, 2013