First, Germany announced that it would suspend its draft, ending one of the touchstones of its post-World War II society. Then Britain and France, frequent rivals since at least the Norman Conquest, announced plans to share military equipment and research. And smaller countries across Europe are cutting defense budgets and shrinking militaries that were never large to begin with.

• February 26, 2011

Bangladesh has signed here a "primary deal" with Russia for installing a 2,000 MW nuclear power plant, which would be its first.

• February 25, 2011

Russia's decision to plough more than 400 billion pounds into upgrading its armed forces is motivated by a fear of China and radical Islam on its southern borders.

• February 25, 2011

In Kyrgyzstan, deputies initiate formation of parliamentary commission of inquiry into involvement of people, detained by special services, into terrorist acts, deputy Kanybek Osmonaliev announced the suggestion at today’s session of the Parliament

• February 25, 2011

Britain remained committed to talks with Iran on its nuclear program, British Prime Minister David Cameron said on a tour of the Middle East

• February 24, 2011

Ukraine is interested in Azerbaijan's participation in the Viking rail transit route, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said while meeting with Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov

• February 24, 2011

Ukraine is interested in Azerbaijan's participation in the Viking rail transit route, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said while meeting with Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov

• February 24, 2011

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi was due in South Korea Wednesday for talks expected to cover North Korea's newly disclosed uranium enrichment programme and other issues, officials said.

• February 23, 2011