As Arab uprisings sweep the Middle East, few images will likely unsettle Iran's leadership more than that of their flag being burned by Syrian protesters angry with the Islamic Republic's deep ties with Syria's dynastic regime.

The controversial initiative is designed to entrench Israeli "ownership" of East Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel in the Six Day War of 1967 and subsequently annexed – a move that has not been recognised by the international community.

With a long-term strategy in mind, China should learn to fully utilize the Internet. China's "Internet users-based reporters" can disseminate facts to every corner and Internet community around the world through social networking websites and change the misperceptions about China held by the international community.

But there is more to the story than the simple lack of violence. Earlier this month, a call for a public strike by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the hard-line patriarchal separatist leader at the forefront of last year's anti-India protests, evoked a feeble response in Kashmir.

India's focus on using soft power to enhance trade and investment with Africa is clearly far more appealing to local partners than the breathless grab for resources that Africans have come to associate with most of its other foreign investors.

Britain's government has suspended the distribution of an animated film designed to stop young Muslims from becoming Islamic extremists. The short movie, called "Wish You Waziristan", is a cautionary tale about two British brothers who travel to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region in order to become jihadi fighters after seeing a racist beating.

British development money will be invested directly in private companies in poor countries to stimulate their economies and wean them off traditional aid. The UK will push governments in poor countries to cut red tape on businesses and lower tariffs and taxes, as well as “engaging with firms directly" to help them make more money and employ more people.

South Korea said Tuesday it regrets North Korea's announcement that it will cut all ties with its neighbor. The North said it would launch an "all-out offensive" against Seoul for allowing anti-Pyongyang propaganda to be sent by human rights groups and some politicians in balloons across the border.