A North Korean nuclear test draws international condemnation, modest U.N. sanctions and expressions of hope in the United States that China will finally rein in its brazen ally.

• February 13, 2013

North Korea conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday in defiance of existing U.N. resolutions, drawing condemnation from around the world, including from its only major ally, China, which summoned the North Korean ambassador to protest.

• February 12, 2013

Given the politicisation of Iran's nuclear programme issue, its solution requires time and patience, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said in an interview with the Russian service of the Iranian IRIB News TV channel.

• February 11, 2013

China and Japan engaged on Friday in a fresh round of invective over military movements near a disputed group of uninhabited islands, fuelling tension that for months has bedeviled relations between the Asian powers.

• February 11, 2013

Russian and Kazakh experts and relevant departments have reconciled positions on the Baikonur spaceport, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev said

• February 8, 2013

Ukraine considers OSCE as being a unique platform for dialogue between the parties of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ukrainian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Alexander Mishchenko said at a briefing in connection with the 21st Anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations on Wednesday.

• February 6, 2013

A Chinese navy vessel aimed a type of radar normally used to aim weapons at a target at a Japanese navy ship in the East China Sea, prompting Japan to protest, Japan's defense minister said on Tuesday, an action that could complicate efforts to cool tension in a territorial row between the rivals.

• February 5, 2013

A senior Iranian official says Israel will regret its "latest aggression" against Syria.

• February 5, 2013