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REGARDING YOUR STORY on Japanese fire balloons ('An Ill Wind,' February 2018), there was one interesting fact missing. Late in the war the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, consisting of all-black [...]

Egypt and Syria, not Israel, are needed to safeguard Bush's new Middle East order, says JAMES A. GRAFF. For that reason, the US is reversing decades-old policy, and dragging Shamir [...]

An aerial photograph is presented of Canada's Northwest Passage.

This article discusses China as a growing world power. The article notes that China's economy has grown by leaps and bounds during the 21st century, and speculates as to whether China will eventually challenge the United States as one of the world's leading military powers as well. The article also discusses China's history.

This article discusses the nuclear arms crisis between North Korea and the international community. After President Kim Jong II of North Korea successfully completed a nuclear bomb test, world leaders, including U.S. President George W. Bush, are analyzing the political, economical and technological impact the test will have in the future. Terrorism concerns and risk management are also a concern. INSET: NUCLEAR WORLD.

The article considers the possibility of a U.S.-Iran war. The U.S. is already stretched thin both militarily and financially. Iran has sponsored terrorist organizations and has increased its power in the Mideast. Iran has delayed and side-stepped around demands to stop enriching uranium. It is estimated that the nation is five years away from having a nuclear bomb, but may only be a year from being a nuclear power. If Iran continues, U.S. and its allies will have to step in.

The article discusses the Lascaux cave located in southwestern France. The cave is home to cave drawings created by human ancestors during the Upper Paleolithic Age. Five years ago Lascaux suffered a fungal infection that threatened to destroy in a few years what thousands of years had left largely unscathed. The author describes both the cave's history and the recent restoration efforts that have controlled the fungal infection.

The article reports that the release of the new audiotape from Osama bin Laden is not provoking the kind of unease in security officials it once would have. The tape reveals the weakened voice of an ailing bin Laden, offering a truce and making vague intimations of future terrorist attacks. U.S. officials are hoping that the recent presumed deaths of a number of al Qaeda operatives and the thinning of the al Qaeda ranks since 9/11 will make the organization and bin Laden ineffectual.

The article reports on iconoclastic skiing star Bode Miller, who could potentially take home five gold medals at the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino. Miller coached himself after he was deemed uncoachable, developing a distinctive style and method that produces fast speeds and winning results. But Miller is not interested only in coming in at the top of competitions, he genuinely loves his sport.

Focuses on the lure of the jihadist movement to Muslim youths in Western countries. Story of Peter Cherif, a Parisian Muslim, who went to Syria to study Arabic and the Koran, and who was later captured by the U.S. in Fallujah, Iraq; Influence of images of suffering Muslims seen over the Internet on Muslim youths; Claim by U.S. President George W. Bush that the best way to prevent terrorist attack is to fight Islamic extremists on their turf in the Middle East, though the London subway bombings, which bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, claimed responsibility for, shows that preventing terrorism in the west may not be possible; Alienation felt by European Muslims from their societies and the policies of their governments.

Profiles U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Her efforts promoting U.S. foreign policy worldwide; Comments of Rice; How her enthusiasm for travel has transformed her image; Influence of Rice on the President George W. Bush administration; Approach to dealing with the war in Iraq; Questions over Iraq's political policy; Issue of how long the administration plans to keep U.S. troops in Iraq; Career background, including her tenure as National Security Adviser; Achievements; Relationship with Bush; Question of whether Rice's commitment to the Bush doctrine of bringing democracy to societies that have never known it is impairing her judgment; Qualities; Outlook for Iraq.

Focuses on the investigation into the terrorist bombings in London. Reports on how advanced forensics and old-fashioned footwork traced the attacks to four suicide bombers from London with possible ties to al-Qaeda; Description of the four suspects believed to have carried out the bombing; Britons difficulty of accepting the idea that the suspects were Londoners; Discussion of how the biggest police investigation in British history has already unearthed a number of links between the bombers and al-Qaeda.

Discusses how governments, NGOs, private charities, and individual donors have taken efforts to contribute to the relief efforts in the areas of Southeast Asia which were drastically affected by the tsunami. Consideration of how the U.S. government and President George W. Bush received criticism for only pledging $15 million in his initial announcements; How websites such as Amazon.com.Oxfam has raised millions of dollars to be used by the Red Cross and other aid programs; Warning from the U.N. World Health Organization that millions of people will face life-threatening situations unless aid is delivered timely and effectively; Importance of avoiding diseases such as malaria or dengue among the survivors; Role of the United Nations in delegating tasks associated with the relief efforts; Consideration of how it will take a long time for aid workers to assess the damage and repair the communities.

Offers a look at the threat of terrorism in the world as of March 29, 2004. Search for al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden; Statement that the Madrid terrorist bombings and attacks on hotels in Iraq give evidence that the Islamist terrorist threat has survived a global war on terror; Belief of counterterrorism experts that the al-Qaeda organization is being replaced by a more elusive generation of extremists; Arrest of Jamal Zougam for the attacks in Madrid; Effect of the bombings in Madrid on the Spanish elections; Role of Abu Mousab al-Zarqawi in the violence in Baghdad, Iraq; Measures taken by the United States to prevent terrorism; Statement that the U.S. measures have not lessened the threat of Islamic terrorism.

Presents a report on efforts to find the terrorists responsible for a series of bomb explosions in commuter train stations in Madrid, Spain, which left more than 200 people dead and 1,500 wounded. Report that an unexploded bomb provided important clues for Spanish police in tracking down the terrorists; Details of the police investigation, which led to the arrest of three Moroccans who may be linked to bombings in Casablanca last May; Explanation of the Moroccans' possible connections to al Qaeda, Speculation about whether attempts to claim responsibility for the bombings by callers saying they are linked to al Qaeda are genuine; Reasons why the Spanish government initially thought ETA could be responsible for the attacks. INSET: A Deadly Morning.

Discusses how events and personalities brought the United States to war in Iraq and the implications of the war with respect to U.S. relations in the Middle East. Thoughts on the United Nations relevance in the world; Discussion of anti-Americanism in the Middle East and the rest of the world; How the war with Iraq is different than all other wars in which the United States have engaged; Discussion of the roles of former President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.

Focuses on the efforts of U.S. President George W. Bush to convince the American people, the Security Council, and the United Nations that a war with Iraq in order to remove Saddam Hussein from power is a necessary action to take. Problems U.S. soldiers stationed in the Middle East face in terms of increasing temperatures; Concerns Americans have regarding the chance an attack on Iraq could lead to terrorist attacks against the U.S.; Reaction to Colin Powell's speech before the United Nations. INSET: Buildup to War.

Presents six reasons why allies of the U.S. want U.S. President George W. Bush to slow down before going to war against Iraq. Need for more proof of illicit biological and chemical weapons in Iraq; Call for United Nations (U.N.) inspections to last longer; Opinion that the U.N. must be the one to authorize war; Belief that invading Iraq disrupts the war on terror; Opinion that Bush is acting like a cowboy; Belief that the U.S. foreign policy is arrogant.

Reports that the United States government had debated about the potential terrorism threat of al-Qaeda early in 2001. Briefings conducted by President Bill Clinton's administration to assist incumbent President George W. Bush; Details on the terrorism briefing delivered by Richard Clarke; The formal plan that would take the offensive against al-Qaeda; Issue of whether the September 11, 2002 attacks could have been foiled.

Reports on the investigation of Richard Reid, who attempted to blow up American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris, France to Miami, Florida with a shoe bomb. Question of whether he is affiliated with the al-Qaeda terrorist network; Background, including his conversion to Islam; His involvement in London, England's Brixton Mosque and Islamic Cultural Center and eventually the Finsbury Park mosque, which is at the heart of the extremist Islamic culture; Connection he had to Zacarias Moussaoui; Importance of jihad to Reid; Details of his travels.

Reports on the al-Qaeda terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden. Efforts of police and military forces worldwide to gather information on the global network following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States; History of al-Qaeda, which was started to fight the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and evolved into a group fighting for a purer form of Islam; Impact of globalization on terrorism. INSETS: Who's Who in the Enemy Alliance;TERRORIST HITS AND MISSES.

Reports on the international investigation to link Osama bin Laden to the terrorist attacks in the United States. Allegations in the British white paper detailed in a speech by British Prime Minister Tony Blair; Evidence implicating bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network; Discussion of information given by Djamel Beghal, a Frenchman of Algerian origin who was arrested using a fake passport in the United Arab Emirates and was a veteran of the Al-Qaeda training camps. INSET: THE EUROPEAN CONNECTION.

Reports on the progress of plans to retaliate against al-Qaeda, who are suspected to be the terrorists who attacked the United States in September, 2001. Necessity of building a global coalition against terrorism; Previous attempts to retaliate against terrorist Osama bin Laden; Probability that armed retaliation may be limited to Afghanistan; Reaction of the Taliban government to the possibility of a U.S. attack; Limits of a military approach. INSET: Why the Spooks Screwed Up, by J.F.O McAllister.

Reports on the failure of the intended merger of General Electric and Honeywell International. Conditions proposed by Mario Monti, the European Union's Commissioner for Competition; Opinion that Monti's rejection of the deal proves that companies that benefit from a global market can be governed by the countries in which they do business; Speculation regarding the future of antitrust investigations.

Profiles Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak as of June 5, 2000 in light of the forced-retreat of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon. Significance of Israeli withdrawal from the Lebanon territory and description of why Israel invaded the territory eighteen years earlier; Public opinion about the pullout; Unique responsibility that Barak has taken for the relations with Syria in light of the withdrawal.

Focuses on the ways in which Europe is creating a respectable technology industry and market. Example of smart cards, the Airbus Industrie, the telecommunication technology of Nokia and Mannesmann, and others; Role of the euro in reducing market fragmentation; Political aspects of this industry; Outlook for the growth of technology in Europe.

Examines United States and global economic conditions as of early 2000 and speculates about the prospects for a strong world economy; Global mergers; Stock valuations; Expansion and influence of the Internet; Aging populations and social security systems; Impact of the euro on markets and competition.

As a World War II veteran of the 35th Division, I read with interest in the January/February review of Bill O'Reilly's book Killing Patton. I saw the general once in [...]

Discusses the World Trade Organization (WTO), which sets the rules for international commerce. Issues between countries and regions concerning subsidies and restrictions; Resistance to global economic integration; Conflicting goals and alliances; How the bloc of developing countries can impact wealthier countries; International activists' plans to protest at the WTO meeting on free trade in Seattle, Washington in December 1999.

Describes the peace agreement for Kosovo between Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as of June 14, 1999. Role of Russian diplomat Viktor Chernomyrdin in negotiations; Nature of the NATO victory; NATO miscalculations in entering the war; How the Serbian people have suffered; Perils of making deals with Milosevic; Entrance of NATO peacekeepers into Kosovo; Concerns about Kosovo's future political structures. INSETS: Will the K.L.A. Play Along? by Anthee Carassava & Jan Stojaspal;Gore's Role: Deep in the Details, by Karen Tumulty.

Discusses the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) bombing campaign in Yugoslavia. How the conflict was at the forefront of the NATO 50th birthday celebration; Debate over a fighting strategy; The issue of sending in ground troops to the Serbian province of Kosovo; Views of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and United States President Bill Clinton; NATO failure to stop the slaughter of ethnic Albanians by the Serbs.

Presents a look at the battle plan being used by the United States Pentagon in conjunction with other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries in its war with Yugoslavia in 1999. Use of B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers; How military pilots are utilizing laser guided missiles; How the terrain of Yugoslavia has led to difficulties; Status of the US precision-guided munitions and when replenishing is expected to be completed; Comments. INSET: A Winning Debut for the B-2, by Julie Grace.

Reports on the efforts of Yugoslavia's ethnic Albanians to flee the country in the midst of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bombings in 1999. Atrocities the Albanians face due to Serbian forces; Regions to which they are fleeing; Conditions of refugee camps in neighboring Macedonia and Montenegro; Comments. INSET: The Balkans' Heritage of Hatred, by Lance Morrow.

Reports on the continued bombing of Yugoslavia by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces as of April 1999. The stubbornness of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and his supporters; Capture of three United States military officers; The number of ethnic Albanians fleeing the country for Macedonia; Options NATO has to try and resolve the matter.

Describes the bombing of Yugoslavia by the forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in March, 1999. Downing of a United States F-117A Stealth fighter jet; Serbian protests at US embassies in Europe; Unstable support for the attacks from US allies; Concern that the violence would spread beyond Yugoslavia; Increased violence against Albanians by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic; Further attacks planned by NATO.

Examines the state of affairs in nursing homes in the United States. Examples of the abuse of elderly patients; Bessie Seday's experiences at the Creekside Care Convalescent Hospital in California; Fraud, neglect, and other common occurrences surfacing in nationwide investigations; Statistics regarding patient deaths, and government funding; Ila Swan's discovery, with Dina Rasor and Robert Bauman, of preventable patient death; Lawsuits; Federal response; Remaining problems. INSET: How to choose a nursing home that actually cares..

Surveys the drug scene at New Trier Township High School, in Winnetka, Illinois. The prevalence of marijuana use among students at New Trier; The lack of the gang violence and despair that is often associated with drug use; The casual attitude of high school students toward marijuana use; The wealth of the suburban communities served by New Trier; Examples of specific marijuana-using students at New Trier; How New Trier dealt with previous drug problems.

Deals with the dilemma faced by parents of the so-called baby boom generation whose children are using marijuana. The popularity of marijuana during the adolescence of most baby boomers; Indications of a sharp rise in marijuana use by United States teenagers in 1995 and 1996; Survey results demonstrating public opinion about marijuana use in the US. INSETS: Why I said no, by Margaret Carlson;Why I said yes, by Courtney Carlson.

Focuses on the attempts being made at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio to initiate and finalize a peace agreement for the waring Balkan nations. Demands and interests brought up by the three Balkan presidents at the meeting; Concerns of the three presidents; Territorial bargaining between the interested parties; Situations in the countries of Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; Peacekeeping operations. INSET: The war's toll.

Claims that fifty years after Hitler, war crimes carried out mainly by Serbs but also by Croats and Muslims in Bosnia are being committed on a level reminiscent of Nazi Germany. International organizations deliberately dilatory in tackling atrocities; Standards set after World War II for war-crimes trials; Three general headings of violations under a series of Geneva conventions; Society for Threatened Peoples; Investigator Fadila Memisevic; Who is responsible.

Presents a photo essay with text on the continuing violence between Croats and Muslims. The specter of a Greater Serbia emanating from Belgrade now seems challenged by Croatian designs on Herzegovina.

As a World War II veteran [Company C, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division] who carried a BAR [M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle] off and on from Bastogne to the Elbe [...]

This article explains that the French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown share very similar outlooks, which could lead to strong relations between the two countries for the first time in many years. The article explains how this situation could allow for good relations between these countries and the U.S.

This article profiles Ségolène Royal, a French Socialist Party candidate for president in France's 2007 elections. Royal has cultivated a populist image by canvassing the opinions of ordinary citizens, who she calls the legitimate experts on France's problems. Polls show Royal leading the field of prospective candidates, which could make her France's first female president.

This article reports on rioting in the suburbs surrounding Paris, France. The article describes the rioters as mostly Arab or black. The authors contend that the riots have dealt a crushing blow to France's self-image as a model of tolerance and social equality. The authors also feel that the disparities between those in this run-down region and those in the rest of France must be addressed before the unrest will subside.

Discusses the popularity of counterfeit shopping among consumers in large cities such as New York. How fake designer bags can be purchased online and in malls; Impact of the knock-off luxury products on the manufacturers; Consideration of how luxury goods manufacturers are hiring legal teams and private investigators to bust rings of organized counterfeiters; How Louis Vuitton employs 40 lawyers full-time in order to take legal action worldwide; Arrest of 15 Chinese nationals for smuggling tens of millions of fake luxury bags from China to New York; Impact of bad publicity on the counterfeiting trade in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Zhejiang.

Discusses the various proposals made by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on how to rebuild Iraq after the removal of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Disagreements the two men have over foreign policy issues; Background political information relative to the two men; Statement that Rumsfeld favors an activist and often unilateralist approach to advancing U.S. interests abroad; Powell's desire for alliances leading to the stability of interlocking interests; Discussion of whether Hussein should be replaced with a team of exiles led by Iraqi National Congressman Ahmed Chalabi for an interim government; Threat of Arab resentment; Discussion of whether the United Nations should be involved in the nation rebuilding.

Addresses the question of who will rule Afghanistan if the Taliban falls. Possible contenders for leadership; Attitudes of bordering nations; Realization by the United States and its allies of the need for a stable postwar Afghanistan; The challenges which Afghanistan faces; Why Iran and Pakistan are interested in Afghanistan's future government; Question of United Nations involvement; Role of the U.S. in rebuilding. INSET: ONCE AND FUTURE LORDS?.