The pullout by Dutch troops later this year from Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan is raising fears the area will be vulnerable to Taliban infiltration.
Tension is growing ever greater between Britain and Argentina over London´s plans to explore for oil near disputed islands in the South Atlantic. Venezuela is supporting Argentina in the dispute.
Britain and Argentina have disputed sovereignty over the islands since the early 19th century. In 1833, Britain sent troops to occupy them, saying it was the first to discover the islands.
Argentine veterans of the 1982 war with Britain over the Malvinas demonstrated against the exploration plans.