Toronto, ON, Canada — China took advantage of U.S. pique over Pakistan from 1992 to 2001 to strategically and militarily move closer to Pakistan. But to ensure continued economic and military support, Pakistan has chosen to ally with the United States. This has put China-Pakistan relations under considerable strain.

Seoul, South Korea — North Korea test-fired four short-range missiles from a base near the eastern port of Wonsan on Thursday, according to Seoul’s Defense Ministry. The missile test came as a North Korean cargo vessel suspected of shipping weapons is being tracked by a U.S. Navy destroyer.

Seoul, South Korea — As South Koreans on Thursday mourned the millions killed during the Korean War that broke out on June 25 six decades ago, North Korea declared that another war is looming on the peninsula. Pyongyang vowed to strengthen its atomic arsenal to cope with the war it said the United States planned to launch.

Seoul, South Korea — South Korean military officials are welcoming an agreement between President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama that will provide nuclear protection to South Korea and allow a postponement of the transfer of wartime command of South Korean troops back to Seoul from Washington.

Toronto, ON, Canada — It is a matter of time before China helps Pakistan to expand its nuclear arsenal and missile capabilities, posing a major threat to India – China’s chief rival and Pakistan’s chief enemy. In this context, it is important for India to build a missile defense and also to have nuclear weapons capability at sea.

Washington, DC, United States — The Pakistani army swung into action a month ago against Taliban insurgents 60 miles from Islamabad. Since then some 3 million refugees have fled towns turned to rubble and are huddling in makeshift shelters in 28 camps. Taliban agents, posing as refugees, have already infiltrated the camps.

Kolkata, India — As Pakistan mourns those who died in the bombing in Peshawar on Tuesday, this act of terror by the Taliban has created more outrage than fear among local people. Many are turning against the Taliban, fed up with the disruptions and misery the militants have brought to their lives.

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — On Monday evening masked gunmen burst from thick brush and entered a mosque in Thailand, spraying automatic gunfire into a crowd of people gathered for evening prayers. The attack left 12 Muslim villagers dead and 11 seriously wounded. Unfortunately, an attack like this was hardly unexpected.

Kolkata, India — The release from house arrest of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, suspected of plotting last year’s Mumbai terror attacks, has raised doubts as to Pakistan’s sincerity in capturing terror suspects. Yet clipping Saeed’s wings is difficult given the respect his organizations command as charitable institutions.

Seoul, South Korea — North Korea’s second nuclear test last week and the missile tests that followed have raised tensions to their highest point since the six-party talks were initiated in August 2003. U.N. sanctions alone won’t solve this issue; an engagement policy is still needed if North Korea is to change its mindset.