Wednesday, June 18 2008

Yesterday a UN envoy for Somalia began meetings with the country's international partners on how to support the Djibouti Agreement, reached last week and designed to bring peace to a state without a functioning government since 1991. ICG warns of possible escalation between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Baghdad asserts sovereignty over occupying US armed forces in new talks with Washington about upcoming two-year 'status of forces agreement'. Further indications of Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan south. Simmering conflict on Georgia's side of the buffer zone, as detained Russian 'peacekeepers' are released. Armed conflict continues between Chad and Sudan largely under the radar. A few hurdles remain before Syria and Israel meet for the first time on July 13th in Paris.