Foreign News

China today will undergo its second Universal Periodic Review of its human rights record by the United Nations Human Rights Council at a time when a survey shows that few publics around the world believe the nation respects the liberties of its citizens.

News that the Turkish government may have revealed the secret identities of 10 Iranian spies who had been meeting inside Turkey with the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad comes against the backdrop of surveys that show a mutual feeling of distrust among these two important regional players.

The Obama administration reportedly is planning to curb U.S. military aid to Egypt, a move that many Americans would support, according to a Pew Research poll conducted in August.

President Obama’s decision to cancel his trip to the Pacific Rim economic summit because of the political battle at home over the budget and debt ceiling comes at a time when publics in the region have mixed views about the U.S. and China.

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to visit President Obama at the White House on Monday, Americans and Israelis continue to hold each other in high regard.

The case of Bo Xilai, sentenced last weekend to life imprisonment, highlights an increasing central issue in Chinese politics: political corruption.

The crisis in Syria is the first mega-story to break since Al Jazeera America debuted on August 20. A new report on coverage of the evolving Syria story examines how the newest cable channel stacked up with such competitors as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and BBC America.

Australians go to the polls to choose a new government this week. Recent surveys show that public satisfaction with the economic direction of the country is falling.

The UN Security Council failed Wednesday to reach agreement on a British-sponsored resolution authorizing approval of taking action against Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons. A 2011 Pew Research poll found publics in most countries surveyed did not support the principle of obtaining UN approval first.

While the U.S. and several of its allies in NATO review options for military action against Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons, such action is reportedly not likely to be under the umbrella of NATO. Support for NATO in member countries has waned.