December 20, 2015 As nuke deal deadline draws near, US and Iran hold 'intense' talks As a deadline for a nuclear deal with Iran nears, Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Saturday in what officials described as "at times intense" talks as part of the effort to flesh out a framework agreed in April.
December 20, 2015 Carter vows U.S. will continue, even step up operations over disputed South China Sea island Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Saturday urged China to stop trying to convert artificial reefs in the South China Sea into a military airfield but also made clear the U.S. has no intentions of ending air-and-sea operation in that region.
December 20, 2015 US surveillance shows Chinese artillery on artificial islands, officials say U.S. surveillance images show China has positioned weaponry on at least one of the artificial islands it is developing in the South China Sea, officials say, apparently confirming suspicions that Beijing has been building up the area for military use.
December 20, 2015 Carter defends US military flights over China's artificial islands Defense Secretary Ash Carter strongly defended U.S. flights over artificial islands that Beijing is building in the South China Sea Wednesday, but did not give any indication of what the U.S. was willing to do to stop the buildup.
December 20, 2015 Turkey, US to provide air protection to Syrian rebels Turkey and the U.S. have agreed in "principle" to provide air protection to Syrian rebels being trained and equipped to fight Islamic State militants, once they enter Syrian territory for battle, Turkey's foreign minister said.
December 20, 2015 US warns China not to challenge military flights over South China Sea The U.S. warned China Thursday against confronting U.S. aerial patrols over the South China Sea days after a verbal dispute between a Chinese military dispatcher and a U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft.Â
December 20, 2015 US prosecutors investigating high-ranking Venezuelan officials over alleged drug trafficking U.S. prosecutors are investigating several high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including the president of the country’s congress, on suspicion that they have turned the country into a global hub for cocaine trafficking and money laundering, according to more than a dozen people familiar with the probes.
December 20, 2015 US, China refuse to budge over South China Sea activity China and the U.S. did not budge Saturday over Beijing’s assertive development in the disputed territories of the South China Sea, with Foreign Minister Wang Ji politely but pointedly dismissing Washington’s push for a diplomatic solution to ease the tensions.
December 20, 2015 Obama seeks to reassure Gulf leaders amid specter of Iran, possible nuclear race President Obama will welcome leaders from six Persian Gulf nations to Camp David Thursday in an attempt to reassure them about their security amid the backdrop of a possible nuclear deal between the West and Iran, as well as reports that some Arab nations will try to match whatever enrichment regime Iran agrees to.
December 20, 2015 China reportedly warns US against sending ships, aircraft to South China Sea China has reportedly warned the U.S. against sending U.S. Navy aircraft or ships to the South China Sea to contest territorial claims made by Beijing in disputed waters.Â