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Afghan security forces are mounting an unprecedented security operation across the country, deploying at least 200,000 personnel to ring polling stations and protect a presidential election tomorrow that will crucially shape Afghanistan's future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the role of the United Nations in structuring the Afghanistan government now that the Taliban is no longer ruling the country.

Reports on the cooperation of United States, Russian and European leaders to support Mohammed Zahir Shah, the exiled king of Afghanistan. Outlook for the promotion of democracy in Afghanistan, and the role of the U.S. and United Nations in the process; Popularity of Shah.

Discusses a United Nations mandate to control the illicit trade of gems in Africa. Idea that wars in Africa are funded by the gem trade; Outlook for a consumer boycott of diamonds; Outlook for the success of the mandate.

Discusses media in Chechnya, in light of the idea that 'Groznensky Rabochy,' is the only newspaper in the republic. Social conditions in Chechnya; Rarity of television in Chechnya; Plans of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan for World Press Freedom Day.

Discusses the kidnapping of Kenneth Gluck, an American relief worker in Chechnya. Concerns that aid work has become more difficult; Use of kidnapping as a political tool; Suspension of operations in Chechnya by the United Nations; Outlook for the conflict between Chechnya and Russia.

Discusses the speed with which the United States and Great Britain initiated air strikes against Iraq on December 16, 1998. Saddam Hussein's refusal to grant United Nations (UN) weapons inspections; Report of chief UN inspector Richard Butler to the UN Security Council; Background on the conflict; Iraq's ability to make weapons of mass destruction; Inspectors kept from three sensitive sites; Views of Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz.

Focuses on the impact of United Nations (UN) economic sanctions on Iraqis. 1998 UN statistics that show a stabilization in chronic malnourishment; Impact of increased food rations on market prices for food; Need to refurbish Iraq's water, electricity and health systems damaged in the 1991 Persian Gulf War; Imposition of the sanctions; The UN's `oil for food' proposal that would allow Iraq to sell oil to buy food.

Details the plans of United Nations (UN) weapons inspectors as they resume work in Iraq on November 17, 1998. Iraq's promises of total cooperation; Monitoring by the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM); Comment from UNSCOM chief Richard Butler; UNSCOM's confrontational role; Iraq's current military state; Criticism of the weapons inspectors; Role of the United States in the process; Most sensitive inspections planned.

Informs that several Arab countries in the Middle East have condemned the October 31, 1998 decision by Iraq to end work with United Nations (UN) weapons inspectors. Why many Arab leaders feel that Iraq's Saddam Hussein has provoked the crisis with the UN; The growing support for United States policy in the Middle East because of the role the US played in the Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement; How the strong role of the US in the agreement has changed attitudes in the Middle East about the US.

Reports on how if the United States participates in a military strike against Iraq in late 1998, it could mean the end of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) which handles weapons inspections in foreign countries. How Iraq's leader Saddam Hussein has no incentive to force him to allow the inspection of his countries weapons factories; Possible outcomes of the situation.

Examines the case for using military strikes against Iraq for its refusal to allow United Nations (UN) weapons inspections. Halt to cooperation with the UN; Response of the UN Security Council; Agreement with Iraq made in February, 1998, by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan; Evidence that Iraq lied about weaponizing the lethal chemical VX; Iraq's eroding support on the UN Security Council; Views of France and Russia; Sanctions against Iraq.

Reports on the implications of the United States' use of Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, which allows countries to attack in self defense, in the decision to launch a missile strike against Afghanistan and the Sudan in September 1998. How other countries such as countries such as Syria could also cite Article 51 in defense of a missile attack; The change in the language of missile attack justification; Reaction of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Sayed Eli Khamenei to the US attacks.

Reports on the conflict between Iraq and the United Nations in August of 1998 over the inspection of possible biological weapons in Iraq. Factors which seem favorable for Iraq to force a showdown; Attitudes in Iraq about the true goal of the UN economic sanctions; The decision by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to appoint Prakash Shah as a go-between for Iraqi leaders and the UN; Support in the Arab world for Iraq; Outlook.

Discusses the popularity of Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, in light of limited United Nations sanctions enacted on the country during December 1999.

Reports on a plan formulated by the United Nations to feed the victims of famine in the African country of Somalia. How businesses are now responsible for food that is shipped across dangerous countries to feed the victims; Dangers faced by those working in food convoys; What disputes over food in the region led to in the early 1990s; Role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in getting aid to the people of Somalia.

Focuses on efforts of Afghan refugees to rebuild their region near Iran's eastern border. Views of officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); Afghan refugees as the largest global United Nations caseload; The percentage of Afghanistan that is controlled by the Taliban militia; Iran rejecting Taliban policies; Risk for refugees in isolated areas; Why the international community should assist Afghans.

Discusses the work of the United Nations Special Commission in charge of ensuring that Iraq is rid of all weapons of mass destruction. How the agreement between the UN and Iraq in 1998 is affecting weapons inspections; The move from confrontation to cooperation in the relations between the UN and Iraq; How the arrest of Nassir Hindawi, father of Iraq's biological weapons program, has impacted investigations; The communication between Iraq and the UN.

Discusses United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's trip to Iraq to seek out a diplomatic solution to the conflict between the UN and Iraq about weapons inspections. The issue of timing for Iraq; How Iraq has responded to Annan; The limited negotiating power that Annan has because of both UN and United States objectives; Support by the US for a doubling of the oil for food deal, and how this affects the negotiations; Outlook.

Reports that the United States diplomacy in Northern Iraq has been thwarted by Criminal Intelligence Agency's (CIA) activities. Suspected connection between the CIA and a bomb blast in Salahuddin in November, 1995; CIA blamed for division of Kurdish groups in Iran; Comments from a Kurd fighter; More.