Saturday, October 7 06

U.S. challenges Sudan's threats against countries lending troops to future U.N. Security Council-mandated peace operation, leading to what looks like a retraction by Khartoum, as new reports of civilian suffering accumulate (1,2). In Sri Lanka, two sides agreed to peace talks which could not be expedited before they were sidetracked by new fighting in the east and north. Russia's President Putin asks for wider regional backing of new policy toward Georgia. Somalia's Islamist rebels quickly becoming the dominant faction.

Friday, October 6 06

Moscow's new policy toward neighboring breakaway republics is beginning to come into view (1,2). Ferocious conflict in Uganda remains in limbo. The number of U.N. peacekeeping troops deployed worldwide is growing fast. Guatemalan former-dictator Montt faces possible genocide charges for harsh 80s repression. U.N. Secretary General Annan advances U.N./A.U. compromise, as U.S. government becomes more aggressive with Khartoum.

Thursday, October 5 06

U.S. Army and Marines developing a new doctrine of counterinsurgency and peacebuilding in response to Iraq quagmire. Time to Protect is a project of the well-organized Genocide Intervention Network that illustrates the groundswell surrounding military conflict in Darfur, especially around U.S. university campuses. One recent suggestion for how to get well-equipped peacekeeping troops into Darfur is to give the African Union (AU) U.N. 'financial and logistical support'. Prime Minsiter Kadyrov is quickly forging an identity as Moscow's man in Chechnya. Caucasuses right now are cowering at the idea that Russia-Georgia conflict will worsen. Pledge to participate in peace negotiations fails to stop new raids by Sri Lanka's armed forces and Tamil rebels.

Wednesday, October 4 06 (2)

Georgia is arguably partly responsible for the recent escalation, but it is now directly in Moscow's sights. Seems likely that Russia will seek to remind Tbilisi of where the regional power lies (1,2), and also set a standard for treatment of any other post-Soviet republics cozying up to NATO (1,2). It would be a great legacy for outgoing U.N. Secretary General Annan to develop a 'peaceful and constructive' solution to the impasse. With 5200 of 15000 troops now in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL receives robust new rules of engagement. Here's the Global Guerrillas' typology of state failure and occupation.

Wednesday, October 4 06 (1)

Bosnian election meets democratic standards (1, 2), yet society is divided along ethnic faultlines. Two major figures in the new Bosnian politics Silajdzic and Dodik have different views about the future of the state. In Bosnian war crimes trials 'criminal intent' for genocide prosecutions is virtually impossible to prove. Sri Lanka's Tamil rebels agree to October 28-20 talks in Oslo. Secretary of State Rice makes Washington's position clear: the A.U. force is inadequate, a U.N. force must be created for Darfur. Thailand's new army junta faces challenges from southern rebels. Russia continues refusal to stand down with sanctions and closures of Georgian border.

Tuesday, October 3 06

New reports of Darfur attacks in A.U. report, as the Arab League and European Commission hold talks on who will provide major troops as the international peace operation begins to take shape. An important question - why wasn't the Russia/Georgia espionage crisis handled discretely? Tbilisi's compromise solution so far fails to lower diplomatic tensions. Premier Wen boosts China's peacekeeping troops in Lebanon. U.N. Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jane Holl Lute confirms that state consent is a precondition of military intervention in The Sudan.

Monday, October 2 06

Still-divided Bosnia is building its future on democratic elections. Will Bosnians move to toward ethnic coexistence? The gloves are off as Georgia criticizes Moscow for support of rebels. Surayud is named Prime Minister according to initial timeframe established by Thailand's military rulers. European Commission President Barroso goes to Sudan, and returns with clearer picture of the impasse: Khartoum rejects what it sees as an American-U.N. trojan horse invasion (1,2), and the international community insists on greater U.N. involvement in order to augment and solidify a weak African Union presence. International Crisis Group's (ICG) Crisis Report #38 draws attention to Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo and Somalia as October's military confilt hotspots.

Mission Statement

The Military Intervention News Log gives a daily review of international media coverage of situations of civil war, political repression or secession that involve or could lead to military peace operations or peacekeeping troop deployments.

Postings provide: i) a record of news coverage on daily situations by major and alternative sources, ii) a sense of how situations are covered (those 'in the spotlight' attract major media outlets, while others can be found mainly the 'alternative press'), iii) occasional non-news items such as research tools, research conferences, and new publications.

The Editor's research looks at philosophical questions about international law and ethics relating to military conflict and international peace operations.

Saturday, September 30 06

Russia puts a hold on Georgia troop pullout until 'security situation' settles down, as Moscow and U.S./U.K. lock horns over upcoming U.N. Security Council resolution. Publicity-conscious Thailand coup leaders carefully remove Thaksin allies from army chain of command, as U.S. announces sanctions until elections take place. They're calling it Thailand's 'courteous coup'. Routine U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) probe into Israel's July 25, 2006 bombing of U.N. position in southern Lebanon buffer zone fails to yield explanation for why protests from UNIFIL headquarters were unheard. Maneuvering begins as U.N. Security Council sets sights on Burma's junta, which is beginning to feel the pinch. Another wave of violence in Sri Lanka. Is anyone keeping account of U.N. troop deployments worldwide? Former Canadian P.M. Martin's intervention in Afghanistan debate is rebuffed by major players on Parliament Hill.

Friday, September 29 06

Confrontation looms between Georgia and Russia as arrested Russian officers face trial in Tbilisi. A report by International Alert (IA) on E.U. foreign policy options for peacebuilding in south Caucasus, and an International Crisis Group (ICG) policy paper on the rationale for a get-tough E.U. stance against Uzbekistan's Karimov regime post-Andijan. U.N. Secretary General Annan reports to UN Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa on progress and fragility in across central Africa. Militant groups are rising fast in Nigerian oil-rich regions. Thailand junta keeps promise to transfer power within weeks, but nevertheless appoints retired military man Surayud as interim 'caretaker prime minister'.

Thursday, September 28 06

NATO peace operation in Afghanistan is the site of constant military engagement. Musharraf tour continues, as new report validates claims about Taliban connections to Pakistani services. Uganda peace talks in jeopardy, as government forces and Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels return to aggressive maneuvering. Kyrgyzstan President Bakiev lays out long-term political program. Scottish rock star/activist Geldof weighs in on Darfur situation.