Kari Lipschutz

Many analysts have cast the growing relationship between India and Afghanistan as an effort to isolate Pakistan. However, New Delhi's interest in the relationship may have little to do with Islamabad. While the "hot peace" with Pakistan certainly drives India's security calculations in Afghanistan, it is not a good reason to invest hundreds of millions of dollars there. China's presence in Afghanistan, however, is.

Pakistan objected to the exclusion of Kashmir from a list of disputes that the U.N. Security Council is observing. more

North Korea said it is building a small light-water nuclear reactor, according to a report by a U.S. nuclear expert. more

Gazprom and Bulgarian Energy Holding signed a joint-venture agreement on Saturday to build and operate part the Bulgarian portion of the South Stream pipeline. more

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri begins a two-day visit to Moscow today to discuss Russian military assistance to Lebanese forces, the ongoing U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and other issues of mutual interest. more

Russia conducted further research to bolster its claim to the Lomonosov Ridge in the Arctic. more

South Korea and Turkey failed to reach an agreement on a nuclear power plant deal. more

The European Investment Bank said it would be willing to finance small- and medium-sized civil-nuclear projects in Egypt if an agreement can be reached with Cairo. more

A South Korean naval patrol ship sunk off the country's southern coast following a collision with a fishing boat. more

Japanese defense officials announced they will begin monitoring China's naval presence in the East China Sea from a new military outpost on a remote island. more

Austerity measures in Spain undermined the country's recovery from an almost two-year recession in the third quarter of 2010. more

Georgia awarded a $150 million hydropower contract to Turkey's Kolin Construction Company. more

Indonesia is considering purchasing 24 used F-16 fighter jets from the United States. more

China's first indigenously developed light amphibious aircraft successfully completed its first flight test. more

Cease-fire talks between the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army's Brigade 5 and the Burmese junta broke down yesterday. more

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it may force an inspection of an alleged nuclear facility in Syria unless the nuclear watchdog is permitted to perform more tests at the site. more

Sixteen Arab states contested the validity of more than 30 Syrian arrest warrants issued last month. more

NATO and Russia are coming closer to finalizing the details of a plan to provide Russian helicopters and pilot training to the Afghan air force. more

The European Commission released a strategic plan calling for integrating the union's energy infrastructure and markets. more

South Korea indicated that it may drop its demand for an apology from North Korea for the sinking of the Cheonan warship as a condition for the resumption of six-party talks. more