In the Middle East, perceptions are as important as realities. A notable change-of-mind occurred when a newspaper published an article by Richard Goldstone, who was the head of a UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR) commission that accused Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes in Gaza.

South Africa has long seen itself as a voice of developing nations. Now as a member of the BRICS club – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa – it can speak with the political heft of a fifth of the world's economy behind it.

At the opening of the UN photo exhibition in New York celebrating Yuri Gagarin’s groundbreaking flight in space, people could feel the pride and jubilation of Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin.

A retraction of a UN investigator from accusing Israel of deliberately targeting Palestinian civilians during a deadly offensive in Gaza two years ago paves the way for the Jewish state to launch new onslaughts without worries of international reactions, officials believe.

Israel grappled on Sunday with whether a retraction by a United Nations investigator regarding its actions in the Gaza war two years ago could be used to rehabilitate its tarnished international image or as preemptive defense in future military actions against armed groups.

Foreign military interventions seldom run a smooth course; they have been particularly messy, if not counterproductive, in the vast swathe of lands stretching from the Maghreb to Indonesia.

A popular Afghan musician known for drawing huge crowds across Afghanistan is Radio Azadi's "Person of the Year." Farhad Darya was recognized by RFE's Afghan station for his exceptional dedication to promoting music and cultural tolerance throughout the country.

President Barack Obama was not in Washington when the first missiles struck targets in Libya. As the US went to war at the weekend – the third on his watch – he left for Brazil to discuss trade.