US: Land Mines
After reviewing the Bush-era policy, the Obama White House has decided to maintain the prior administration’s refusal to sign an international treaty banning land mines, according to published reports. “We made our policy review and we determined that we would not be able to meet our national defense needs, nor our security commitments to our friends and allies if we sign this convention,” State Department spokesman Ian Kelly reportedly said.
Venezuela
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is deploying 300 newly bought Russian tanks and armored vehicles and has called on Venezuelans to join Bolivarian militia in a marked military buildup seen as a continuation of his rhetoric the country is on a war footing and faces a threat from Colombian-U.S. military bases.
Israel and Palestine
Israel announced on Wednesday it was limiting settlement construction for 10 months to try to revive peace negotiations with the Palestinians, but they said the step fell short of their terms for talks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the move, which was immediately welcomed by ally the United States, a major step toward peace. But his plan excluded areas of the West Bank that Israel annexed to its Jerusalem municipality after the 1967 war and building projects already under way — falling short of the full freeze demanded by the Palestinians.
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US: Land Mines
After reviewing the Bush-era policy, the Obama White House has decided to maintain the prior administration’s refusal to sign an international treaty banning land mines, according to published reports. “We made our policy review and we determined that we would not be able to meet our national defense needs, nor our security commitments to our friends and allies if we sign this convention,” State Department spokesman Ian Kelly reportedly said.
Venezuela
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is deploying 300 newly bought Russian tanks and armored vehicles and has called on Venezuelans to join Bolivarian militia in a marked military buildup seen as a continuation of his rhetoric the country is on a war footing and faces a threat from Colombian-U.S. military bases.
Israel and Palestine
Israel announced on Wednesday it was limiting settlement construction for 10 months to try to revive peace negotiations with the Palestinians, but they said the step fell short of their terms for talks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the move, which was immediately welcomed by ally the United States, a major step toward peace. But his plan excluded areas of the West Bank that Israel annexed to its Jerusalem municipality after the 1967 war and building projects already under way — falling short of the full freeze demanded by the Palestinians.