The recent establishment and operation of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) signals the militarization of U.S. foreign policy in Africa.  

The proposed US-Iraqi security pact, required to be in place by January 1, 2009, appears increasingly doubtful.

Syria officially ended 60 years of non-recognition this past week when it recognized Lebanon as a sovereign state and announced plans to exchange embassies with its neighbor.  The diplomatic move comes at the end of decades of often acrimonious, and violent, relations. 

With Israeli support, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has moved his armed loyalists into key West Bank cities in preparation of a possible conflict with his rival Hamas in January. 

The October 26th U.S. military strike inside Syria ostensibly targeting an alleged high-level al-Qaeda in Iraq operative is an indication of the Bush administration's attempt to counter Syria’s growing influence via a show of force.

Al Qaeda and the Taliban have carved out Pakistani havens for themselves near the Afghan border and continue to gain political and military strength.