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Reports on domestic and international pressure on Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority, to stop terrorist acts, due to charges that he is sponsoring terrorism. Opposition from members of his Fatah faction, the core of his political support; Attacks from Israeli forces on Palestinian targets; How the Israeli strategy is complicating the process of arresting militants, including members of Hamas.

Reports that precision bombing by the United States in Afghanistan may be the most significant victory for air power since before the Gulf War. Flight of the Taliban during the U.S. bombings, which allowed them to become targets of the U.S.; Bombing of the city of Kandahar and the cave complexes of Osama bin Laden; View of Taliban leader Haji Mullah Khaksar that the bombings caused the defeat of the Taliban.

Editorial. Discusses the deployment of United States Marines in Afghanistan, and the view that it is necessary to finish what was started and to back strong words from the U.S. with action.

Reports that there will be a need for many countries to play a role in the continuing United States-led efforts in Afghanistan. Focus on ground war, intelligence gathering, and forming a post-Taliban government; Debate over how much certain countries should contribute to the efforts; View that Al Qaeda represents a threat to international order; Role of the U.S. in leading the installation of an Afghan government, and the view that it is not in the strongest position to do so.

Discusses the strategy of the war of the United States in Afghanistan, which has had limited U.S. casualties. Efforts to minimize the deaths of both U.S. troops and Afghan civilians; Hopes of the Pentagon to use the same investment of force to track down leaders of the Taliban and the Al Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden; Drawbacks to the Pentagon's overall approach, including relying primarily on Afghan opposition forces for manpower.

Discusses the impact of the firmness of the Taliban's support on the second phase of the United States war in Afghanistan. Outlook for the pursuit and destruction of the remnants of the Taliban and Al Qaeda forces; View of former Pentagon action officer Peter Singer that there will be simmering levels of violence in the country for some time; How the way in which the Taliban retreated from Kabul and other territory indicated that communication and force discipline had been lost.

Reports that United States officials say supplying isolated pockets of southern tribes with supplies may shift the attitude toward the Taliban in Afghanistan. Challenges of getting assistance to the bands of rebels inside central and southern Afghanistan; Isolation of those who would potentially resist the Taliban; How a number of Afghan opposition leaders are reluctant to be seen to be in league with Western powers.

Reports on the war in Afghanistan, in which Northern Alliance rebels are pushing toward the capital of Kabul. Key airports, towns, and supply routes which have been taken by the Northern Alliance, including the city of Mazar-e Sharif; View that when the rebels decide to stop, and how they will handle the capture of Kabul, may determine success or failure in the United States-declared war against terrorism; Question of how far the U.S. can help its allies in Afghanistan while ensuring that the alliance stops short of taking Kabul.

Focuses on the perspective of Afghans concerning whether the winter months in Afghanistan will benefit or harm the efforts of a United States-led military campaign there. Stories of soldiers who have frozen to death during the winter; View of U.S. military officials that superior technology will give their troops an advantage in cold weather; Discussion of how Soviet Union troops fought during the winter months.

Focuses on the expected impact of winter on the United States military campaign in Afghanistan. View that the cold weather could be used as a tactical weapon against the Taliban; Topic of thermal imaging using infrared sensors, which works well in winter; Obstacles posed by winter to the campaign in the country's rugged terrain.

Presents the opinion that Americans should not become restless about the war of the United States in Afghanistan, but should look at the resolve of Great Britain during times of conflict.

Comments on the military strategy of the United States in Afghanistan, and the idea that fighters should be just one element of an international team of peace-builders.

Focuses on the United States military campaign in Afghanistan, which includes air attacks and ground raids which are designed to exhaust the patience of the Taliban through continuous pressure. Description of the style of warfare as asymmetric; Question of whether allies of the U.S. will grow impatient with its methods; Criticism of U.S. attacks for being limited and ineffectual.

Focuses on relations between the United States military and the Northern Alliance rebels in Afghanistan. Shift in focus from the air war to aiding the Northern Alliance ground war; View that the air campaign had no clear military gains; View that the U.S. has little choice but to side with the rebels; Dispersal of U.S. special forces in Afghanistan.

Editorial. Comments on the decision of Japanese legislators to allow warships to join the United States war on terrorism and how it was a break from Japan's pacifism and comes close to violating the country's constitution.

Argues that the United States attacks on Afghanistan are counterproductive, and that the U.S. needs a regional peace settlement and massive, careful reconstruction.

Looks at the role of elite United States and allied Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan in the war on terrorism. Description of how elite groups such as Green Berets or Delta Force would operate in Afghanistan; Limitations in the teams' abilities to stay and move on the ground, due to the rugged terrain and gear they must carry; Impact of the onset of winter on the operations.

Discusses the prospect of American soldiers in ground combat working with Afghan rebel groups such as the Northern Alliance in fighting the Taliban regime. Idea that the United States must act quickly before winter sets in and provide rebel forces with basic equipment as well as training in basic infantry tactics; Assertion that any U.S. combat partnership with rebel groups is sure to raise the issue of their human rights record.

Focuses on the United States war on terrorism in Afghanistan. Goals of supporting rebel opposition to the Taliban and defection of Taliban leaders; Details of the military operation, liberation effort, and battle for public opinion.

Reports that Uzbekistan is rushing soldiers to its border with Afghanistan, as the United States sends 1,000 troops to the area, and that the Taliban have threatened to invade the Central Asian nation.

Reports that early polls, including a Gallup survey, after the initial round of United States and British air strikes in Afghanistan show overwhelming public support in the U.S. for the action. Concern about terrorist reprisals, prolonged U.S. involvement in the Afghan conflict, and suffering of civilians; Opposition to the strikes.

Offers the author's experience in Central Asia in the 1990s and what he learned about Afghans. Idea that Afghan strength in war is the result of their will and honor; Limitation of their ability to conduct military operations beyond small-unit actions because of Afghanistan's tribal society loyalties; Suggestions for how the United States should conduct its war on terrorism in Afghanistan.

Discusses the military superiority of the United States compared to that of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Importance of how skillfully the U.S. targets any attacks, what forces it uses, and how well it anticipates the complex military and political repercussions of U.S. strikes on Afghanistan; Idea that risks lie more in the shifting dynamics of popular support for the Taliban than in weaponry or the terrain; View that the U.S. should focus air strikes on the Taliban while averting civilian casualties.

Focuses on refugees who are fleeing Afghanistan due to the threat of an attack by the United States. Efforts of security guards at the Pakistani border to keep hordes of refugees out; U.S. rejection of an offer by the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan to allow Osama bin Laden to leave the country on his own; Thought that a further influx of Afghan refugees could fuel anti-U.S. sentiments.

Discusses the outlook for an alliance between the United States and Pakistan against terrorism. Offer of help to the U.S. by Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf; How Pakistani officials went to Afghanistan to persuade the Taliban to turn over Osama bin Laden to the U.S.; Possible destabilizing effects of the cooperation on the Musharraf government.

Discusses activity of Russian forces in Chechnya, and strategies of President Vladimir Putin to end war in the country. View that his plans did not work, and that Russia is still entangled with Chechnya; Discussion of a security sweep in Chechnyan villages and possible human rights abuses in the country.

Focuses on Syrian troops who withdrew from Beirut, Lebanon, and their redeployment along Lebanon's eastern border. Decision to withdraw troops which was designed to appease mounting criticism of Syria's one-sided relationship with Lebanon; View that the best thing for Lebanon and Syria is a total withdrawal of troops.

Reports on a conflict between Hizbullah fighters and Israelis which has erupted along the south Lebanon border in a territory known as Shebaa Farms.

Reports on India's offer of peace talks to Pakistan, which is a step to solve the dispute over the political aspirations of Kashmir. Reaction of militant groups and Kashmiris to the offer; Success of talks which depends on the seriousness of both sides; Indian armed forces who will continue to be targeted by militant groups, despite a cease-fire.

Focuses on the United States financial and military commitment to Colombia in light of US President Bill Clinton's visit on August 30, 2000. How the US Congress approved a $1.3 billion aid package to Colombia, the world's biggest supplier of illicit drugs; Concerns that the large US military involvement could have negative consequences for surrounding countries, including pushing the drug trade into other areas.

Profiles the efforts of lawyer Anette Eddie-Callagain to find fathers who are not paying child support to Japanese women. Problems that have occurred with the United States military presence on Okinawa; How US soldiers are abandoning Japanese wives and girlfriends and neglecting to pay child support; Promise by US President Clinton to reduce American influence on the island.

Reports on the popularity of tourism sites in Lebanon, in light of the dismantling of Israeli military posts in south Lebanon.

Reports on the importance of the planned summit scheduled between North and South Korea in June, 2000 for the United States foreign military relations with North Korea.

Argues that Israel, as a United States ally, should not sell weapons and other military goods to China.

Reports on progress in peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, while talks between Israel and Syria have stalled.

Considers the position of the United States on the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the US takes over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council. The role of Rwanda and Zimbabwe in bringing peace to Congo; Violation of a peace pact by all parties.

Considers the implications of the United States efforts to establish closer military ties to China in an attempt to bring more stability to the Pacific region.

Offers a look at the comparison of Russia's war against Chechen insurgents to that of the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan.

Looks at the political impact of a potential invasion of Taiwan by the Chinese government as of September 1999.

Focuses on the situation surrounding the peace deal in Congo signed by the Congolese Rally for Democracy.

Focuses on the issue of the possible test launch of a Taepodong 2 long range missile by North Korea and speculates what the response will be from South Korea.

Focuses on a new weapons program in India that is another step away from pacifism. Emerging Indian realpolitik in which status as a great economic and political power is seen as dependent on modern military capacity; How India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons in 1998; Old antinuclear policy; Preelection positioning in India; Reduction of United States nuclear weapons.

Offers world news briefs for August 12, 1999. India and Pakistan displaying wreckage from a Pakistani naval reconnaissance aircraft shot down by Indian fighter jets; Israeli and Palestinian negotiators working on a compromise over the timetable for implementing a land-for-security accord; Serbia's Orthodox Church demanding the resignation of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

Focuses on Russia (Federation) as a nuclear power to be respected. How the author was reminded of the 1950s cold war when President Boris Yeltsin warned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that a confrontation over Kosovo could lead to war; The irony of Russia's lack of resources to pay its electric bill.

Focuses on the efforts of the United States, Japan and South Korea to deter North Korea from test-launching a guided missile called Taepo Dong 2. Comments of the United States Secretary of Defense, William Cohen; How Japanese officials are intent on pressuring North Korea to call off the test.

Focuses on the United States involvement in Colombia's civil war. How a United States Army plane was lost in a guerrilla stronghold of southern Colombia; How the United States has been helping Colombia with its war on drugs and is considering increasing aid; The control of much of the country's cocaine by Marxist guerrillas; Opposition of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) to United States involvement in Colombia.

Offers United States news briefs as of July 26, 1999. Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin visiting Washington D.C.; How military ties between the United States and Taiwan have expanded secretly over three years; Comments from a speech by H. Ross Perot in which he appears to acknowledge that many don't want him to make another run for president; Wildfire in western Nevada; Other briefs.

Reports on the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia that started in June 1998. Effect of the war on the Horn of Africa region; Partnership between Eritrea and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) with Somalia becoming a site for operations against Ethiopia; The battle for Baidoa assisted by the Rahanwein Resistance Army (RRA); Denial by the Ethiopian government of any involvement in Baidoa.

Offers world news briefs for June 24, 1999. Attempts to break the deadlock over formation of self-rule in Northern Ireland and the obstacles facing them, such as reluctance by the Irish Republican Army to relinquish its weapons; Verdict in the treason trial of Abdullah Ocalan to be delivered Tuesday, June 29, 1999; Low prospects for cease-fire talks in the Congo; Human cloning for medical research banned by the British government; Others.

Details the escalation of two conflicts in Asia between North and South Korea and India and Pakistan. How the two conflicts are particular to the countries involved; Governments discouraging any more escalation; Concerns of the administration of United States President Bill Clinton; Exchange of gunfire by North and South Korea on June 15, 1999; Political benefits of fighting in Kashmir seen by leaders of both India and Pakistan.