Asia
Russia: radioactivity and chemicals
A mysterious radioactive cloud that passed over 28 European countries recently was first detected over Italy. France’s radioprotection institute has now detailed its findings, saying the origins of the cloud came from ‘somewhere…
Iraq: a ‘second army’
For almost two years US-backed Iraqi government forces, with Kurdish Peshmerga forces and other allies, fought to remove IS fighters. 63 factions make up Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) - groups united by…
Iran: proposed changes in voting
Conservative MPs in Iran are proposing that Iranians should only be allowed to vote for members of their own religious group, making it impossible for members of religious minorities to be elected to…
Asia: Trump’s tour
Escaping scandal in Washington after indictments of his campaign associates, President Trump is on a 13-day tour through five Asian capitals. Trump’s first stop was Japan, where the priorities were a Japan-US military…
Vietnam: Putin / Trump talks
Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump may bring different expectations to the table at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Vietnam (their last meeting, at Germany’s G20 summit, produced a de-escalation plan for…
Pakistan: Christians seek answers after murder
On his third day of high school, the parents of 17-year-old Sharoon Masih learned that he had been in a fight and had been taken to hospital. They rushed to the hospital but…
Iran: weapons-grade uranium warning
Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran’s nuclear programme chief, said on 29 October that Iran can begin producing weapons-grade nuclear material quickly if the nuclear deal with foreign powers fails, and insisted that international inspectors…
India: persecution in Jharkhand state
Six house church leaders were released on 16-17 October, after being detained for a month on false charges that they had forced Hindus to convert to Christianity. The five men and one woman…
99. NSFA Update #51
NATIONAL SECURITY FOREIGN AFFAIRS UPDATEOCTOBER 23, 2017 (REPORT #51) Highlights: Cold War returns with nuclear-armed bombers on 24-hour alert CIA expands Taliban hunt ISIS battle converges in the Euphrates Valley Iraqi, Kurdish forces…
Praying for North Korea (Nov 2017)
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,”…
