Indonesia to host int’l conference on Palestine - Israel conflict
Indonesia to host int’l conference on Palestine - Israel conflict

Indonesia will host an international conference in the capital city of Jakarta from December 14-15, aiming to search peace solutions for the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

Indonesia to host int’l conference on Palestine - Israel conflict
Indian foreign minister says high-level talks with Pakistan to resume
Indian foreign minister says high-level talks with Pakistan to resume

India will resume high-level talks with rival Pakistan, the Indian foreign minister said on December 9, raising hopes that relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors may be thawing slightly.

Indian foreign minister says high-level talks with Pakistan to resume
US ready to send advisers, helicopters to Iraq to help retake Ramadi
US ready to send advisers, helicopters to Iraq to help retake Ramadi

The United States is prepared to deploy advisers and attack helicopters if requested by Iraq to help it "finish the job" of retaking the city of Ramadi from Islamic State, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on December 9.

US ready to send advisers, helicopters to Iraq to help retake Ramadi
German chancellor Merkel named Time's 'Person of the Year'
German chancellor Merkel named Time's 'Person of the Year'

Time magazine named German Chancellor Angela Merkel its 2015 "Person of the Year" on December 9, noting her resilience and leadership when faced with the refugee crisis and turmoil in the European Union over its currency this year.

German chancellor Merkel named Time's 'Person of the Year'
Asian Parliamentary Assembly convenes 8th meeting in Cambodia
Asian Parliamentary Assembly convenes 8th meeting in Cambodia

The 8th Plenary Session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) opened in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on December 9 under the theme of “Promoting Peace, Reconciliation and Dialogue in Asia”.

Asian Parliamentary Assembly convenes 8th meeting in Cambodia
Myanmar parliament approves ceasefire accord
Myanmar parliament approves ceasefire accord

The Myanmar's Union Parliament on December 8 approved the Nationwide Cesaefire Accord (NCA) signed between the government and eight ethnic armed groups on October 15.

Myanmar parliament approves ceasefire accord
Turkey’s troop deployment in Iraq: new challenge to regional security
Turkey’s troop deployment in Iraq: new challenge to regional security

(VOV) - Many Turkish soldiers illegally entered Iraq on December 4 to train Kurdish militias fighting IS. This has harmed relations between Iraq and Turkey and created a new security challenge in the Middle East.

Turkey’s troop deployment in Iraq: new challenge to regional security
Singapore, US strengthen defence cooperation
Singapore, US strengthen defence cooperation

Singapore and the US signed a defence cooperation agreement (DCA) in Washington on December 8.

Singapore, US strengthen defence cooperation
Russia says it hit IS with submarine-launched missile for first time
Russia says it hit IS with submarine-launched missile for first time

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on December 8 that Russia had for the first time struck Islamic State targets in Syria with missiles fired from a submarine in the Mediterranean.

Russia says it hit IS with submarine-launched missile for first time
US conducting 'serious review' of alleged Iran missile test
US conducting 'serious review' of alleged Iran missile test

The United States is reviewing and seeking to confirm reports that Iran launched a ballistic missile last month in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said on December 8.

US conducting 'serious review' of alleged Iran missile test