The Vice President speaks in Sendai Japan, an area that took some of the worst damage and losses of life from the tsunami that struck Japan in May 2011. Vice President Biden speaks about the rebuilding that the people there are undertaking, and the commitment of the United States to stay and help.

A panoramic view of the region's literary landscape.

Anthony H. Cordesman discuss the future of Libya.

Muammar Gaddafi issues a tv plea to residents of Tripoli to rise up and fight rebel forces who swept into the Libyan capital this week.

North Korea's reclusive leader, Kim Jong-il, is making his first trip to Russia since 2002. He is holding talks with President Dmitry Medvedev in Siberia.

Five people including a police officer are killed in a shoot-out with suspected drugs gang members.

A town in Fukushima, northern Japan, has declared August to be "Decontamination Month" as it works to reduce levels of radiation in schools and other public facilities. (Aug. 23)

Iranian Majid Jamali Fashi pleads guilty to the murder of nuclear scientist Massoud Ali-Mohammadi in an assasination the government blames on Israel and the U.S. Lindsey Parietti reports.

Dozens of journalists remained trapped inside the Rixos hotel in Tripoli on Wednesday as forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi prevent them from leaving and gun battles with rebel forces continue around the city. (Aug. 24)

Middle East Expert Walid Phares on the success of the rebels in Libya and what the future holds for the country.

Libyan rebels stormed Moammar Gaddafi's main military compound in Tripoli on Tuesday after fierce fighting with forces loyal to his regime.

National security analyst K.T. McFarland on the political uncertainties facing Libya.

Marwan Bishara talks about the significance of the rebels's seizing Gaddafi's compound in the Libyan capital.

Gaddafi's spokesman is vowing that the Libyan leader and his men will fight to keep control of the country.