News on International Relations

Determined to change the way the world views the United States, Barack Obama is onto his next foreign mission: rebuilding relations with Russia, proving to global leaders that America is serious about climate change, and outlining his vision for Africa, his father's birthplace. And when in Rome? Obama will go to the Vatican to see Pope Benedict XVI for their first meeting. Obama's weeklong trip — he leaves Sunday night for Moscow ...

Sanctions against Iran triggered by Western fears over its nuclear drive would only inflame tensions, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview broadcast Saturday. Medvedev told Italian Rai television, ahead of this week's G8 summit of world leaders, that Moscow backs what he said was Washington's policy of seeking rapprochement with Tehran after decades of suspicion. "If I understand correctly, the United States would like to establish more open and more direct relations with Iran," Medvedev said. "We support this choice. It would be counter-productive to resort ...

North Korea test-fired seven missiles off its east coast Saturday, South Korean officials said, in an act of defiance apparently timed for the US Independence Day holiday. The launches further fuelled regional tensions after the communist state's nuclear test in May, which coincided with the US Memorial Day holiday. They came as Washington seeks support for tough enforcement of United Nations sanctions aimed at shutting down the North's nuclear and missile programmes. The ballistic missiles -- which the North is banned from firing under UN resolutions -- were launched between ...