NATO allies agreed on December 18 to send aircraft and ships to Turkey to strengthen Ankara's air defenses on its border with Syria, the alliance's chief said.

The United Nations Security Council on December 18 unanimously agreed a resolution endorsing an international roadmap for a Syria peace process, a rare show of unity among major powers on a conflict that has claimed more than a quarter million lives.

The Philippines and Timor Leste have agreed to enhance bilateral relations, especially in economics.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and his visiting Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen discussed measures to strengthen all-around ties between the two countries at their talks in Bangkok on December 18.

Narrowing the development gaps within and between the ASEAN member states is one of the top and long-term priorities of the association to build a dynamic, connective, and integrative bloc.

(VOV) - The ASEAN Community will be officially established on December 31st. So far, ASEAN countries have completed preparations for the establishment of their single community. 

A massive bill that extends billions of dollars in tax assistance to businesses and expands the budget deficit won US House of Representatives approval on December 17 in the closest thing to a grand bipartisan tax bargain in years.

Delegates from Libya's warring factions signed a UN-brokered agreement on December 17 to form a national unity government, a deal that Western powers hope will bring stability and help to combat a growing Islamic State presence.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed confidence after talks with Turkey's prime minister on December 17 that Ankara would do its part to bring about a sharp reduction in the number of illegal migrants entering the European Union (EU).

Indonesia, the world’s largest population of Muslims, has denied joining the Saudi Arabian-led Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism.

The National Assembly of the Philippines on December 17 approved a draft state budget for 2016.

Japan and Indonesia agreed to enhance cooperation in transferring defence equipment and technology during their first “two-plus-two” security dialogue in Tokyo on December 17.

The United States and Cuba have agreed to restore scheduled commercial airline service for the first time in more than five decades in a deal allowing 110 round-trip flights a day between the former Cold War foes.

The UN Security Council warned on December 17 that some countries are failing to implement long-standing sanctions against Islamic State, as an unprecedented meeting of finance ministers put the global focus on cutting off the militant group's funds.

The Philippines will continue to ensure the effectiveness of its participation in ASEAN-led activities, the country’s Ambassador to Vietnam Jerril G. Santos told the Vietnam News Agency in a recent interview. 

(VOV) - Today a year ago, US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro began restoring normal diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of confrontation. Over the past year, the process of normalizing relations has moved steadily forward.

President Hassan Rouhani said on December 16 a UN watchdog's closure of investigations into Iran's past nuclear activities is a political victory for the country, lifting the main obstacle to implementing Tehran's deal with world powers.

US President Barack Obama is welcome to visit Cuba but not to meddle in its internal affairs, a senior foreign ministry official said on December 16 on the eve of the first anniversary of the two countries' historic rapprochement.

The United States has delivered a fresh supply of ammunition to Syrian Arab fighters ahead of an expected stiff battle with Islamic State as they push toward the Syrian town of al-Shadadi, a key logistics hub for the group, US officials tell Reuters.

(VOV) - NATO’s membership offer to Montenegro has caused an angry reaction by opposition parties in Montenegro. It has also strained relations between Montenegro and Russia. 

The Philippines’ troops said on December 15 at least 13 Abu Sayyaf insurgents were killed while the government army had two lost and ten injured in a fighting in Basilan province, South Philippines. 

The United Nations formally kicked off the race for the next secretary-general on December 15 and the world body's 193 members were encouraged to consider putting forward a woman for the top job that has been held by a man for the past 70 years.

Japan has showed its strong determination to join Thailand and Myanmar in developing a special economic zone (SEZ) in Dawei in Myanmar’s southern province of Tanintharyi.

Myanmar’s Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) on December 15 approved the draft framework for holding political dialogue between the Government and ethnic armed groups.

A new Saudi-led Islamic alliance to fight terrorism will share information and train, equip and provide forces if necessary for the fight against Islamic State militants, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on December 15.

President Barack Obama said on December 15 he had tapped Adewale Adeyamo to be his deputy national security adviser for international economics, a position that involves coordinating US participation in the annual G7 and G20 summits.

The UN nuclear watchdog's 35-nation board decided on December 15 to close its investigation into whether Iran once had a secret nuclear weapons programme, opting to support Tehran's deal with world powers rather than dwell on its past actions.

Russia and the United States see enough common ground on Syria for world powers to meet on the troubled country's peace process in New York on December 18, but views on the future of President Bashar-al Assad still diverge.

Meas Muth, a former Khmer Rouge official, was charged with genocide and crimes against humanity by judges of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on December 14. 

Cambodia’s opposite party CNRP has announced its participation in the National Assembly (NA)’s upcoming session that falls on December 16.