China continues to criticize the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader's visit to Washington. China's state-controlled media claims the Obama administration used the meeting to divert attention from economic and political challenges at home. As the English-language channel of China's state television reports, the meeting was damaging to U.S.-China relations.

Today in Washington, D.C., President Obama welcomed the Dalai Lama to the White House. It was described as a "muted" meeting -- with neither a joint press conference nor public fanfare. The administration's low-key approach was aimed at not offending the Chinese government. For more, Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Robert Barnett.

This week, Pakistani Taliban finally confirmed what the Pakistani army had claimed many days ago -- that Hakimullah Mehsud was killed last month by U.S. drones. While there are conflicting reports about which strike dealt Mehsud the mortal blow, the Pakistani Taliban are leaderless for the second time in six months. Read how commentators are assessing the drone war.

In 2009, the U.S. launched at least 50 missile strikes against al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives in northwest Pakistan. While drone attacks are more frequent than ever before, there is wide disagreement about civilian deaths. View our interactive map of Pakistan drone attack locations since 2004.

The international standoff with Iran over its nuclear ambitions seemed to go from bad to worse today, as the country test-fired a new version of its longest-range Sajjil-2 missile -- capable of reaching Israel, U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf and parts of Europe. This drew quick reaction from western governments. For more, Daljit Dhaliwal speaks with Ervand Abrahamian.