The US has reached out to Syria in a bid to harness its influence and engage with problematic Middle East leaders. Renewed ties between the two countries bring cautious hope of breakthroughs on a number of issues.

• 24 February 2010

Argentina's regional allies have backed its claim to the Falkland Islands as a dispute with Britain over oil escalates. The UK has started to drill in waters off the islands, a move Argentina has formally objected to.

• 24 February 2010

China tightens controls on internet use, requiring anyone who wants to set up a website to meet regulators and produce ID documents.

• 23 February 2010

Western diplomats express deep concern at a decree by Afghan President Hamid Karzai giving him control of the election watchdog.

• 23 February 2010

European Union foreign ministers condemn the use of forged passports in the assassination of a top Palestinian militant.

• 22 February 2010

Two men and a woman, all German citizens, have been arrested for allegedly sending money to the Islamic Jihad Union. The organization is alleged to have planned attacks on German targets.

• 22 February 2010

Iran says airlines will be banned from flying into its airspace unless they use the term "Persian Gulf" on in-flight monitors.

• 22 February 2010

Over a week into the joint allied offensive in Helmand province, NATO commanders have been cautioning that the true success of the mission cannot be fully gauged for months to come and indeed possibly beyond that.

• 22 February 2010