Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday played down tension with China over the East China Sea, saying U.S. efforts to strengthen maritime security in South East Asia were part of a normal process to help allies defend themselves better.

• December 17, 2013

The United States on Monday offered $32.5 million in assistance to Southeast Asian nations, more than half to Vietnam, to boost maritime security, which comes as tension grows with China over rival claims in the South China Sea.

• December 16, 2013

Divisions emerged in the European Union's policy towards Ukraine on Monday as the Dutch foreign minister slapped down a senior EU official for announcing on Twitter that he had suspended work on a trade agreement with Kiev.

• December 16, 2013

A Kremlin aide made clear on Monday that Russia was ready to extend a credit to Ukraine to help Kiev cope with its economic problems and keep the country in Moscow's orbit.

• December 16, 2013

A breakthrough agreement to end the standoff over Iran's nuclear program appeared to face its first major difficulty on Friday with Russia warning that expanding a U.S. sanctions blacklist could seriously complicate the deal's implementation.

• December 14, 2013

There is no reason why the European Union could not relax some sanctions on Iran in January, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said on Saturday, as part of an interim deal between Tehran and major powers to curb its nuclear program.

• December 14, 2013

Japan and Southeast Asian countries called for freedom of the air and sea on Saturday, as China's military assertiveness raises regional tensions and after U.S. and Chinese warships narrowly avoided collision in the disputed South China Sea.

• December 14, 2013

Three years after going cap in hand to international lenders, Ireland has officially ended its bailout, providing a landmark for the euro zone's efforts to resolve its debt crisis.

• December 13, 2013