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President Barack Obama speaks to troops during a visit to Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 14, 2011.

As Iraq War Ends, Obama Thanks Returning Troops

US president tells soldiers at military base in North Carolina Iraq's future is now in the hands of the Iraqi people

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shakes hands with Burma's President Thein Sein in Naypyitaw, December 1, 2011.

Burma’s Year of Change Raises Hopes

Moves towards liberalization result in a historic visit to the military-ruled country by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

British Prime Minister David Cameron leaves an EU summit in Brussels on December 9, 2011.

EU Treaty Has Long Road Ahead

Some countries will decide on parliamentary approval, others may decide treaty needs to be put to popular vote

Supporters of Russian communist party hold a rally to protest against violations at the parliamentary elections in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, December 9, 2011.

Pro-Democracy Protests Put Putin, Russia at Turning Point

Saturday’s demonstrations may serve as indicator which way Russia will go in New Year

Parties that received backing from the Soviet Union include Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos (L), People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, and South Africa's President Jacob Zuma (R), the African National Congress, in Pretoria, 2010.

Soviet Union's Collapse Two Decades Ago Deeply Affected Africa

Empire's dissolution left in its wake Marxist-inspired governments losing their backers, new conflicts awash with weapons, mercenaries

Just months ago it would have been unthinkable to have Burma�s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi featured in local media, though she recently was featured by various publications as censorship authorities loosen up somewhat, in Rangoon, Burma, Dec. 2011.

Burma Loosens Grip on Media Censorship

Journalists cite looser scrutiny, although criticism of authorities remains taboo

President Ronald Reagan (l) and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Nov 19 1985

Gorbachev's Foreign Policy Helps Bring Soviet Collapse

Foreign policy of last Soviet leader contributed to demise of Soviet Union

Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, December 6, 2011.

Afghan President Vows to 'Confront Pakistan' Over Holy Day Terror Attack

Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Alami claims responsibility for twin attacks targeting Kabul

Keyboard file photo.

India Demands Web Content Filters

Government warns Internet companies it will take action to remove offensive content from their sites if they refuse to do so voluntarily