The Bush administration has been so effective in conflating Iraq and Afghanistan in the US "war on terror" that those NATO publics who oppose the war in Iraq have come to view the mission in Afghanistan as guilty by association. -- MChef

    By becoming guards in previously unpatrolled areas in northern and central Iraq, the citizens groups have become a key stopgap, filling in security holes where U.S. forces have lacked the numbers to impose stability -- MChef

    The historical origins of the violence that has engulfed Kenya since the discredited election of December 27 run deep, and it will take more than a recount of the vote and/or the formation of a government of national unity to resolve the crisis. -- MChef

    This is a problem which it probably is best to leave for the future. -- BU

    The falling dollar is propelling Gulf states further down the road to a monetary union. -- BU

    As part of a series of posts on Afghanistan, Barnett Rubin (Informed Comment: Global Affairs) suggests ways of fighting the drug trade in Afghanistan that don't involve poppy eradication. --BU

    Kate Sheppard says the US should sign on to the Law of the Sea, and that liberals have an interest in making it happen. -- BU

    Juan Cole argues that the Bush administration has botched relations with Turkey. -- BU

   If anyone has anything to say. -- BU

    Via Haaretz, Olmert gets a real peace agreement only with the aid of Meretz and at least one Arab party. -- BU

    At Informed Comment Global Affairs, Barnett Rubin has a crucial post on the perceived Iran war roll-out and its likely consequences. -- BU

    Peter Bergen and Sameer Lalwani point out that the ineffective American war on drugs in Afghanistan is an important reason for the Taliban resurgence. -- BU

    At Registan.net, Joshua Foust thinks the alleged rejuvenation of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in Central Asia is being exaggerated by interested parties. -- BU

    He argues in favor of it. --h

    Sam Dagher of CSMonitor performs an important service in reminding us that in Iraq, religion is a source of personal strength and comfort as well as division. -- BU

    Conflict Blotter: Just back from Lebanon, Charles Levinson theorizes, based on his observations, about what Hizbullah is doing north of the Litani River. -- BU

    From Informed Comment Global Affairs, Farideh Farhi has a great analysis of American foreign policy towards Iran and why it is bad. -- BU

    In reporting on a new gas export route between Azerbaijan and Italy, via Turkey, John Daly at Eurasia Daily Monitor looks at the broader context of regional energy transport. -- BU

    Charles Levinson explains why Lebanon may become a new target for the jihadist movement currently focused on Iraq. -- BU

    Tim Burke turned me on to Brice Schneier's five-part interview with TSA administrator Kip Hawley. -- BU