Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party has released a draft version of a revised national constitution. The new document removes World War II-imposed restrictions that have kept Japanese forces in a purely self-defense role. Under the new guidance, they would officially be free to join international peacekeeping ventures. (Read our story here about Japan’s wake-up call from its Cold War strategic slumber.)
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
