On Saturday, a senior Indian official said Pakistan was beginning to stop the infiltration of Islamic militants into Indian-controlled Kashmir, fulfilling a crucial condition by India for a military de-escalation.
As the North savored the benefits of its gentle opening, rail, road, and air links would punch through the DMZ; military de-escalation would follow; Pyongyang would recognize the rewards of market reforms, and perhaps even be enticed toward a relaxation of social control.
"I think we want to start seeing whether or not both sides believe enough progress has been made that we can find ways to de-escalate politically and diplomatically," said the secretary India and Pakistan have massed hundreds of thousands of troops along their common border, and Mr. Powell added, "In due course, hopefully, there will be a military de-escalation as well".
That war ended badly for the Russian military, with de facto independence for the Chechens.
Or is it just a complicated and fractured distraction from the real issue, namely the military's de facto control of the country?
Oddly, nothing apparently diminishes the martial zeal of the soldiers who, young Mads among them, seem to combine military esprit de corps with a Viking love of combat.
The country's domestic affairs continued to be strained, reflecting an uncertain and tense relationship between the military, with de facto power, and the nominal civilian government led by a president.
Mr Sarkozy also claims direct descent, even though he has done more than any recent French leader to reconcile France with NATO, whose military command de Gaulle brusquely pulled France out of in 1966.
We simply cannot wait until a technological fait accompli makes any debate obsolete.Senator Pierre Claude Nolin NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) special rapporteur on unmanned military systems De Salaberry, CanadaHenrik Bliddal Director, NATO PA science and technology committee Brussels* SIR - We read with interest your article on robot ethics and agree this is a pressing concern.
The military esprit de corps -- and its effectiveness -- require a supportive Commander in Chief.
These behind-the-scenes efforts succeeded in eventually bringing the State Department around to the idea that the military and de facto government should be allowed to hold elections while Zelaya was still in exile.
