The World Today

Soldiers are a key risk group in the spread of HIV and AIDS. The disease is a threat to individuals and a strategic issue for their commanders. UN peacekeepers are also coming under scrutiny, raising important questions of health and rights.

It was an old style conflict of large armies in trench warfare on the African continent. Two nations which had long been friends were pitted against each other. Now peace prevails, but is it peace imposed by western states following their own interests, or a genuine attempt to bring peoples together?

Despite conflicts of interest and corruption charges, Silvio Berlusconi seems likely to become Prime Minister of Italy again. Since he last held that post the economy has improved so much that Rome is now at home in the Eurozone. But equally important, wholesale political reform has fallen victim to a fractured party system.

Global trade has increased the risk of animal illness spreading rapidly round the world. As foot-and-mouth disease affects exports and imports in countries without infection, there are calls for radical change in farming methods.

The United Nations Security Council is generally thought of as the battleground of major global players – vetoes to hand. But this year states from the opposite end of the power spectrum have a unique opportunity to influence events.

Until recently it had been assumed that Xanana Gusmão would become President of East Timor after the UN shepherded it to independence. His resignation – ahead of elections in August – over how a new constitution is being drawn up, has intensified concern that the transition may be neither smooth nor timely.