Saturday, September 9 06

President Karzai denies claims that Afghanistan is experiencing a security crisis. After inaugural meetings, U.N.'s new Human Rights Council disappoints its own strong advocates. International mobilization surrounding Sudan's Darfur crisis is funded and well-organized. The U.N. deploys an all-female brigade of police/peacekeepers from India in Liberia, on grounds that most of the victims of civil strife are women.

Friday, September 8 06

Consensus emerges among NATO leadership that additional troops and support will be required to deal with scenario in Afghanistan. U.N. General Assembly opens a debate on prevention of military conflict. Living conditions in eastern Burma should be shocking the world, with repression by the junta clearly the culprit. Apparently sectarian violence comes to small town in western Indian state of Marahashtra. Next year's elections in Pakistan will balance influential Islamic political parties and powerful military and security establishments. U.S. Air Force Major Jill Metzger still missing in Kyrgystan.

Thursday, September 7 06

Sudanese government on the verge of disintegration (1/2). Taliban militia surprises NATO forces, prompting a call for reinforcements. A U.S. Air Force Officer stationed in Kyrgystan goes missing in market near Bishkek. Iraq's new legislators fearful that draft law on federalism will break up the country. In Zimbabwe, maneuvering to become Mugabe's successor out in the open. With Cote D'Ivoire likely to miss Security Council-mandated presidential election deadline of October 2006, the possibility of open conflict between government and ex-rebel forces remains high.

Wednesday, September 6 06

The tense middle east atmosphere is beginning to recede. In Bangladesh, Dhaka is erupting in violence. Who is in control in Papua? With public opinion in Canada beginning to swing, conflict in Afghanistan continues to take its toll. But a crucial meeting of Pakistan's and Afghanistan's leaders gives reason for optimism. Eritrea adopts a hostile stance to international involvement in border dispute with Ethiopia.

Tuesday, September 5 06

Both the African Union and the international community want U.N. peacekeeping troops to deploy in The Sudan, but Khartoum's consent is the decisive factor. Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Darfur conflict is deteriorating. The U.N. appoints Police Advisor Lopes as new police commissioner for Timor Leste (East Timor). How difficult is to establish military dominance of a population schooled in guerilla tactics? A month after NATO assumed control in Afghanistan, the Taliban regains key regions. Central Baghdad still under control by U.S. coalition, but militants hold effective power nearly everywhere else. Visit the September 2006 edition of the OSCE's LegislationOnLine resource to test the recently redesigned user-friendly interface.

Monday, September 4 06

Another deadly bombing in Turkey, with Kurdish rebels 'suspected'. Should Bosnian newspapers publish the names of all those involved in July 1995's mass killing in Srebernica? Provocation continues as shots are purportedly fired by South Ossetian troops under supervision by Russian peacekeepers at a chopper carrying Georgian Defense Minister Okruashvili. U.N. Secretary General Annan continues whirlwind legitimacy-building tour by gaining some assurance from Tehran about nuclear plans. Haiti continues to struggle, as France continues to ignore a massive 'independence debt'. Russian President Putin reflects on second anniversary of Beslan school massacre.

Saturday, September 2 06

Afghanistan's interior ministry has the will to confront armed factions. Does it have sufficient support? Recent burial of assassinated Baluchistan rebel leader is meant to stem the tide of tribal rioting in Pakistan. The Pentagon points out that 'conditions for civil war exist in Iraq', as even The American Conservative attacks U.S. President Bush's unwise use of the concept 'Islamofascism'. Canadian Government remains 'active in Sudan' as Foreign Minister MacKay talks to Sudanese counterpart Akol about Darfur. With Security Council authorization for U.N. military intervention in Sudan already achieved, it remains likely more delaying tactics and a major offensive by Khartoum will further complicate and prolong the Darfur crisis.

Friday, September 1 06

Italy's major troop contingent to Lebanon UNIFIL mission set to deploy tomorrow. Security Council decision Thursday will boost U.N. peacekeeping operation in Darfur to 17,000 troops, with or without Khartoum's consent. Why is political opposition in Azerbaijan so divided? How has Uzbekistan President Karimov solidified power while facing constant political challenges? In Liberia, the U.N.'s UNMIL rebuilds a school as part of reconstruction initiative. Georgia President Saakshvili criticizes the hard line approach of Russia's political elite as Moscow repeats demand for consistency in Western approach to Kosovo in 1997 and today's conflicts in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transdnestria. Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary General's point man in Georgia Tagliavini states in an interview that Abkhazian dialogue and UNOMIG mission leading toward 'positive' scenario. You must see the article found in the Armed Forces Journal and discussed in a Justwartheory.com editorial about 'Clausewitz and World War IV'. Also posted on JWT.com is an article by Jeff McMahon about the moral liability of killing civilians during war.

Thursday, August 31 06

Canadian Defense Minister O'Connor requests increase in support for Afghanistan mission. Uzbekistan faces a turning point in relations with U.S. and Russia. Belorussian students active in March 2006's demonstrations unofficially exiled in Prague. The World Socialist Web Site takes a dim view of Europe's military contribution to middle east war. Reason for concern in East Timor, where 56 detainees and their rebel militia leader escape their Dili prison. Another aid worker killed in Sri Lanka, with little question who is responsible (1,2). According to U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Bolton, The Sudan likely to consent to U.N.-sponsored peace operation in Darfur.

Wednesday, August 30 06

Srebernica part of the FRY War Crimes Tribunal begins, as Mladic and Karadzic play cat and mouse on Serbian territory. Can Macedonia's domestic political institutions be relied on to deal with 'Albanian issue'. Beirut's devastation ends reconstruction effort and drains confidence of next generation of Lebanese. Center for Defense Information (CDI) and Jane's explain how U.N. small arms conference disintegrated. A report about U.S. non-military and non-coercive foreign intervention against Venezuela. According to commanding U.S. General George Casey, Iraq will assume independent control of internal security within 12-18 months.

Tuesday, August 29 06

The 'Kurdistan Freedom Falcons' (a.k.a. 'Liberation Hawks') bomb Russian and European tourist centre in Istanbul. Kyrgyzstan President Bakiev criticized for 'heavy-handedness' as he solidifies security ties with Uzbekistan. U.S. Government announces that Sudan President al-Bashir eventually made time for U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer. A new front opens in the Sri Lankan civil war. OSCE Representative for Freedom of the Media challenges Turkmenistan's arrest of foreign human rights journalists, as Azerbaijani government officials criticize the OSCE Special Representative for Karabakh-related issues for unfair reporting of border hostilities. U.S. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld quietly defends policy and counsels patience in rebuilding Iraq.