Flashpoints

In case you still need persuading that the world is a dangerous place today, here are some links to stories put together by Rice Farmer

Faultlines and Flashpoints across the Globe

Nigeria deploys 'massive' number of troops

Nigeria launches air raids on militant Islamist group Boko Haram

Israel to approve four West Bank settlements

Iran dispatches warship to shadow Gulf exercises

Turkey not halting Iran oil imports

Yemenis reel from Saudi labour crackdown

India commissions first MiG-29K fighters

Russia sends missiles to Syria, warships near Syria

How Qatar seized control of the Syrian revolution

Israeli official: Assad preferable to extremist rebels, The Times of London reports

Pakistan approves 100,000 tonnes of wheat for Iran to pay for power

Washington gets explicit: its 'war on terror' is permanent

We already knew this from Dick Cheney. -- RF

The 2013 Terrorism & Political Violence Map

After Fighting Over Mountains, India and China Lock Horns in the Indian Ocean

German shipping companies invest in protection from pirates

Crime at sea: The world's most pirate-infested waters

US Defense Dept. wants billions shifted to pay for Afghan war

North Korea Fires Three Short-Range Missiles, Says The South

N. Korea Test-Fires Another Short-Range Missile

Thirteen killed, 10 police kidnapped in Iraq violence

Iraq on the brink as sectarian strife grows

France in talks with U.S., Israel to buy drones: minister

Kuwait deports ‘hundreds’ for traffic offenses

Asia's Naval Procurement Sees Major Growth

China trying to strengthen its claim to Okinawa