North Korea threatens 'physical response' to U.S.-South Korea military exercise

HANOI -- North Korea and the United States exchanged veiled threats Friday at an Asian regional security conference, where attention has focused on the North's sinking of a South Korean naval ship in March.


North Korea - Asia - South Korea - United States - Government

Sanctions slow development of huge natural gas field in Iran

ASALOUYEH, IRAN -- Increasingly tough international sanctions over Iran's nuclear program have significantly slowed the county's most prestigious economic project, scheduled to rake in more than $130 billion in annual sales of natural gas after its completion.


Iran - South Pars / North Dome Gas-Condensate field - Middle East - United States - United Nations

Iraq's battle for football control turns sectarian

BAGHDAD -- Iraq is again dangerously close to being banned from international football for alleged government meddling in the leadership of Iraqi Football Association after armed men stormed into the headquarters last week waving arrest warrants.


Iraq - Warfare and Conflict - Middle East - United States - Baghdad

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17 injured in blast targeting Afghan candidate

KABUL, Afghanistan -- A bomb exploded Friday inside a mosque in eastern Afghanistan, seriously wounding a candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections and at least 16 other people, an official said.



Afghanistan - Asia - Arts and Entertainment - Warfare and Conflict - Afghanistan Civil War

Minority leaders leaving Karzai's side over leader's overtures to insurgents

PANJSHIR VALLEY, AFGHANISTAN -- The man who served as President Hamid Karzai's top intelligence official for six years has launched an urgent campaign to warn Afghans that their leader has lost conviction in the fight against the Taliban and is recklessly pursuing a political deal with insurgents.


Afghanistan - Hamid Karzai - Taliban - Asia - Politics

US, NKorea meet but progress on nukes unlikely

HANOI, Vietnam -- The top American and North Korean diplomats were meeting face-to-face Friday at an Asian security conference, but the rare contact is mired in tensions over the sinking of a South Korean warship and unlikely to advance efforts to rid Pyongyang of nuclear weapons.


United States - North Korea - South Korea - Hillary Rodham Clinton - Korean War

Venezuela breaks ties with US-allied Colombia

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has broken diplomatic relations with neighboring Colombia, accusing the close U.S. ally of fabricating reports that Colombian rebels find safe haven inside Venezuela.


Colombia - Venezuela - South America - United States - Hugo Chávez

U.S. continues effort to counter China's influence in Asia

The Obama administration's announcement Thursday that it will resume relations with Indonesia's special forces, despite the unit's history of alleged atrocities and assassinations, is the most significant move yet by the United States to strengthen ties in East Asia as a hedge against China's rise.



Asia - China - Business - Social Sciences - Archaeology

Three U.S. Embassy guards killed in rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone

BAGHDAD -- A rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone Thursday afternoon killed three guards employed by the U.S. Embassy and wounded 15 people, including two Americans, the embassy said.


Baghdad - Iraq - Middle East - Green - Green Zone

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Va. man arrested in terrorist case makes court appearance

A 20-year-old Oakton High graduate who played football and rowed crew at the Fairfax County school was arrested Wednesday as an alleged terrorist recruit after he had been stopped on his way to join an al-Qaeda-linked group in Somalia, federal officials said.


Terrorism - United States - Federal Bureau of Investigation - Transportation Security Administration - Oakton High