Wednesday, October 11 06

Indications that Russia's diplomatic offensive against Georgia may be over. U.N. Chief of humanitarian operations Egeland wants into the Security Council's North Korea sanctions debate. It's worth noting that although Tajikistan's approaching presidential election is obviously democratically dysfunctional, the Rakhmonov regime responds to expressions of the popular will. Thai military coup leaders request extension and make additional promises. U.N. Secretary General Annan reflects after tumultuous year at the helm of world government, and lends support to the U.N.'s up-and-coming Peacebuilding Commission (1,2).