Meanwhile, Russia says it will not support joint Arab-Western draft resolution to end crisis

President Sarkozy, hosting Afghan President Karzai, announces French troops will withdraw from Afghanistan at the end of 2013

Election of a newly-seated lower house of parliament fails to satisfy many liberal politicians and activists

Iran continues incredible bluster as international pressure increases to convince Iran not to build nuclear weapons

Experts differ on whether pipelines are economically feasible or whether Tehran will follow through with threats