China's new air defense identification zone over the East China Sea has caused "significant" unease in the region, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday, adding he had stated Washington's firm objection to the move during talks in Beijing.

• December 5, 2013

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that core sanctions against Iran would remain in place despite its interim nuclear deal with world powers.

• December 5, 2013

China sent several fighter jets and an early warning aircraft into its new air defense zone over the East China Sea, state news agency Xinhua said on Friday, raising the stakes in a standoff with the United States, Japan and South Korea.

• November 29, 2013

Japanese and South Korean military aircraft flew through disputed air space over the East China Sea without informing China, officials said on Thursday, challenging a new Chinese air defense zone that has increased regional tensions and sparked concerns of an unintended clash.

• November 28, 2013

Iran has invited U.N. inspectors to visit its Arak heavy-water production plant on December 8, the first concrete step under a cooperation agreement to clarify concerns about Tehran's disputed nuclear program.

• November 28, 2013

The Philippines said on Wednesday the imminent arrival of China's sole aircraft carrier in the disputed South China Sea for the first time for a training mission would raise tension.

• November 27, 2013

The European Commission called on Tuesday for new protection for Europeans under United States' law against misuse of personal data, in an attempt to keep in check the U.S. surveillance revealed by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

• November 26, 2013

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman hit back at the European Union on Tuesday, saying it was wrong to criticize Russia over Ukraine's decision to back away from a trade deal with the EU and draw closer to Moscow.

• November 26, 2013