North Atlantic Treaty Organization

The coming role of Asia

It could be argued that the continent that has changed most in the 21st century is Asia. With rising growth, populations and burgeoning economies, it was never going to be long before these rose up the security agenda. Here we look at just a sample of what these could be - from China's role in tackling climate change to Central Asia's importance to regional stability. More...

• China: national interests, global interests?
• China and the West: keyboard conflicts?
• China and climate change: in the eye of the storm?

Clearing cold war remnants in Azerbaijan

Grazing sheep near Saloglu, in the north-eastern corner of Azerbaijan, used to be a dangerous task. In an area of more than five square kilometres, hundreds of thousands of pieces of explosive material lay hidden from view at various depths below the rolling, shrub-covered land. Now thanks to a NATO Trust Fund project, a large part of the area has been cleared, and one day soon, the entire former military base will be safe for the local population. More...