Tensions between Iran and the U.S. could escalate towards potential war, but both Russia and China are opposed to Western intervention in Iran.

• December 30, 2011

Violence in the western Kazakh town of Zhanaozen earlier this month left 16 people dead

• December 29, 2011

Ehud Barak, the defense minister of Israel, said in late November that it was probably a question of nine months before Iran’s attempt to acquire nuclear weapons moved into a “zone of immunity” where it could no longer be stopped.

• December 29, 2011

A senior U.S. official has dismissed Iran's threats against NATO missile defense installations in Turkey ahead of a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to the key U.S. ally and linchpin of NATO's southern flank.

• December 24, 2011

In situations as dire as that of North Korea, any change is a harbinger of hope. As much is true of the death of the reclusive nation's leader, Kim Jong Il, and the ascension of his youngest son, 20-something Kim Jong Un. Even though this has triggered immediate fears of instability throughout northeast Asia, the longer-term outlook is surely one of enhanced optimism, for the Korean people and the rest of the world.

• December 22, 2011

The administration of United States President Barack Obama has launched a virtual US Embassy in Iran that, as expected, has been immediately filtered. Tehran sees it as yet another subversive initiative by Uncle Sam to sow divisions between the people and the Islamic regime that overthrew a US-friendly dictator and then took American diplomats as hostage for 444 days in 1979-1980, prompting the US to sever diplomatic ties with Iran

• December 13, 2011

Iran is facing ominous rhetoric and deadly explosions as the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia step up efforts to open Iran's nuclear facilities to inspection. Tehran is gauging its support from abroad. Syria, a longstanding ally, is in turmoil and Hezbollah in Lebanon would be of only limited help.

• December 12, 2011

Security is being stepped up ahead of an opposition rally in Moscow on Saturday expected to draw 30,000 people.

• December 9, 2011