31.   India and Pakistan typically accuse each other of provoking the cross-border firing in an effort to escalate tensions.

32.   India, followed by Pakistan, set off a series of nuclear tests last month, escalating tensions on the subcontinent.

33.   Iran-backed guerrillas killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded four others in separate ambushes that sharply escalated tensions in south Lebanon Monday, security sources reported.

34.   Iranian-backed guerrillas killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded four others in separate ambushes that sharply escalated tensions in south Lebanon Monday, security sources reported.

35.   Ir Shalem said it would ask Barak to freeze the order closing Orient House and avoid any steps that would escalate tensions with the Palestinians.

36.   Ivanov also said recent test-firing of nuclear capable missiles by Pakistan had further escalated tension over Kashmir.

37.   Japanese media urged strong action Thursday to discourage North Korea from further escalating tensions in the region.

38.   Jordan and Morocco said Monday Israeli incursions into the Palestinian territories will escalate tension and urged an end to violence so that peace negotiations could resume.

39.   Ivanov also said the recent test-firing of nuclear capable missiles by Pakistan had further escalated tension over Kashmir.

40.   Khan also expressed concern over the sale of American fire-finding radar to India, saying such a move could escalate tensions in the region.