25 January 2014 Last updated at 09:15 GMT
A few weeks ago the dismissive comments of Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon thatSecretary of State John Kerry's zealous pursuit of a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians amounted to an "incomprehensible obsession" and "messianic feeling" caused a bit of a kerfuffle. Yes, many senior Israeli officials have grown tired of humoring Mr. Kerry and are not much interested in the kinds of concessions that would be necessary to make a peace deal and creation of a Palestinian state possible. But it's generally considered bad form to needlessly antagonize the Americans.
Yet more evidence that the process jalopy is destined to keep spinning its wheels comes today by way ofIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking to reporters in Davos shortly after meeting with Kerry, Mr. Netanyahu was asked about the fate of Israeli settlements in the West Bank half of the Jordan Valleyin a possible peace deal. Interest in the question has been stirred by reports that Kerry has been hoping for Jordan Valley concessions
Greater China
China loses control of its foreign policy
By Terry McCulley
To some people, President Xi Jinping's efforts to consolidate his control over China's military and government are a welcome development, especially given China's haphazard approach to crisis management. Xi's actions might even be interpreted as a sign that China is transitioning towardshu a more "advanced" political system in which the military and foreign policy are controlled by a strong civilian chief executive.
In reality, Xi's attempt to tighten his control over China's vast and unwieldy bureaucracy reinforces global fears that China is starting to lose control of its foreign policy. This disturbing truth goes a long way towards explaining why the international community was so alarmed by China's announcement of a new "Air Defense Identification Zone" (ADIZ) in the East China Sea, followed shortly
thereafter by a "no-fishing zone" in the South China Sea.
Even if these new zones were carefully planned years in advance, they also represent part of a larger pattern of aggression - propelled by China's hostile and uncompromising form of nationalism - that is beyond the ability of China's leaders to control.
Syria foes 'to meet in same room' at Geneva II talks
Syria's opposition and government are expected to meet "in the same room" in Geneva after the first day of a peace conference ended with no direct talks.
One of the government team told the BBC "ending terrorism and violence" should be the top priority but said opposition members harboured "personal hatreds".
Delegates are aiming at small concessions - not a full peace deal.
Diplomatic sources say the hope is they will focus on getting aid into besieged areas of the city of Homs.
Syria's Ambassador to the UN Bashar Jafari - part of the government delegation - told the BBC that "item number one should be putting an end to the terrorism and to the violence".Ukraine’s opposition rejects president’s offer of concessions as crisis deepens
Yanukovich under mounting pressure as protesters seize State buildings
Daniel McLaughlin
Barricades burned again in Kiev last night after Ukraine’s opposition rejected concessions from President Viktor Yanukovich, saying only his resignation would satisfy protesters who have taken over government buildings in the capital and other cities.
The United States said yesterday it was working with European nations to help resolve the deepening crisis in Ukraine, as neighbouring Poland warned that the country of 46 million people could “fall apart”.
In his most substantial offer to the opposition during two months of demonstrations, Mr Yanukovich said next week he would reshuffle the government, row back on sweeping new laws, and give an amnesty to protesters arrested for minor offences.
UN report: more than 140,000 Iraqis have fled Anbar province
Fighting in Iraq's Anbar province has caused the "largest" displacement of people within the country since clashes in 2006-2008. Over 140,000 people have fled the region as a result, according to a new UN report.
Violence in Iraq's western Anbar province displaced over 140,000 people between December and this week, after clashes erupted between security forces and anti-government fighters linked to al Qaeda, the United Nations said on Friday.
Fighting in the cities of Ramadi of Fallujah drove out more than 65,000 people over the past week alone, it added.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Peter Kessler described the situation as the "largest" displacement of people Iraq has seen since deadly sectarian violence between 2006 and 2008.
The report added that conditions in the conflict area were worsening for those stranded there.
"Many civilians are unable to leave conflict-affected areas where food and fuel are now in short supply," Kessler said.
Fighting continues despite South Sudan ceasefire
The UN says the South Sudanese government and opposition troops are fighting 'sporadic' battles despite a ceasefire that came into force on Friday.
A ceasefire between followers of President Salva Kiir and his former vice-president Riek Machar took effect at 5:30pm GMT.
"The United Nations [UN] mission in South Sudan says that sporadic fighting took place in parts of the country today [Friday]," including after the ceasefire, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said.
South Sudanese rebels accused Kiir's army of attacking their positions ahead of the ceasefire, which was brokered by East African nations and agreed to on Thursday in Addis Ababa. The government army said it knew nothing of any fighting since the deal was reached.
"It is critical that both parties implement the cessation of hostilities agreement in full and immediately," the UN spokesperson said.
Israel's Netanyahu draws line in the sand on Jordan Valley settlements
Which is more evidence that the peace process is going nowhere fast.
A few weeks ago the dismissive comments of Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon thatSecretary of State John Kerry's zealous pursuit of a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians amounted to an "incomprehensible obsession" and "messianic feeling" caused a bit of a kerfuffle. Yes, many senior Israeli officials have grown tired of humoring Mr. Kerry and are not much interested in the kinds of concessions that would be necessary to make a peace deal and creation of a Palestinian state possible. But it's generally considered bad form to needlessly antagonize the Americans.Yet more evidence that the process jalopy is destined to keep spinning its wheels comes today by way ofIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking to reporters in Davos shortly after meeting with Kerry, Mr. Netanyahu was asked about the fate of Israeli settlements in the West Bank half of the Jordan Valleyin a possible peace deal. Interest in the question has been stirred by reports that Kerry has been hoping for Jordan Valley concessions
Greater China
China loses control of its foreign policy
By Terry McCulley
To some people, President Xi Jinping's efforts to consolidate his control over China's military and government are a welcome development, especially given China's haphazard approach to crisis management. Xi's actions might even be interpreted as a sign that China is transitioning towardshu a more "advanced" political system in which the military and foreign policy are controlled by a strong civilian chief executive.
In reality, Xi's attempt to tighten his control over China's vast and unwieldy bureaucracy reinforces global fears that China is starting to lose control of its foreign policy. This disturbing truth goes a long way towards explaining why the international community was so alarmed by China's announcement of a new "Air Defense Identification Zone" (ADIZ) in the East China Sea, followed shortly
thereafter by a "no-fishing zone" in the South China Sea.
Even if these new zones were carefully planned years in advance, they also represent part of a larger pattern of aggression - propelled by China's hostile and uncompromising form of nationalism - that is beyond the ability of China's leaders to control.
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