Turkish entry would also bring large strategic benefits, helping to defuse tensions between the West and the Islamic world.

ECONOMIST: And the one that should live on

Americans are particularly interested in the future of the Middle East peace process through which Israel is trying to defuse tensions with Palestinians and neighboring Arab states.

CNN: Israeli politics closely watched by American Jews

Syria was working closely with Saudi Arabia, the regional patron of Mr Hariri and his Sunni community, to find a formula to defuse tensions in advance of indictments which the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is expected to issue within a matter of days, naming some Hezbollah members in connection with the murder of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.

BBC: Lebanon heads for lengthy political deadlock

Karimi has set out to dilute the influence of the Jamiat officers and defuse ethnic tensions.

NEWYORKER: After America

Japan's foreign minister says he will set up meetings with U.S. officials as soon as possible to defuse bilateral tensions.

CNN: Japan says it will break ranks, sign land mine treaty

India's foreign minister says he will "not rush" into talks with his Pakistani counterpart to defuse military tensions in Kashmir.

BBC: Salman Khurshid: India 'not to rush' into Kashmir talks

America, helped by Britain, worked hardest to defuse the tensions.

ECONOMIST: Europe in the world

It is still possible that the conference and the National Assembly that emerges from it may do as much to inflame as to defuse Iraq's communal tensions.

ECONOMIST: Onward, Muslim soldiers? | The