In the news Asia & Oceania.

• Position: China's land claims; Afghanistan war; North Korea's nuclear program - Brief article

China While China's booming economy has slowed, it remains the second-largest in the world (after the U.S. economy). President Xi Jinping has joined the U.S. in signing the Paris accord to fight climate change. But America and most of its regional allies oppose China's aggressive claims to much of the South China Sea. In July, an international court ruled that these claims violate international law.

Afghanistan

Fifteen years after the U.S. and its allies went to war in Afghanistan

in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, there are still U.S. troops fighting there. Despite having promised to pull out all American forces by the end of 2016, President Obama says about 8,000 troops will remain to fight the Taliban, at least...