The U.S. invasion of Iraq has brought to power long-suppressed Shi'ite majorities and shown Islamists that secular rulers can be overthrown. Change has begun that the U.S. cannot control, change that will exhaust American resources and will, warns Paul Craig Roberts.

Communist North Korea is the world's worst persecutor of Christians, according to an annual ranking by the evangelical mission group Open Doors International. The group's World Watch List places Saudi Arabia in the second spot, followed in order by Vietnam, Laos, Iran, Maldives, Somalia, Bhutan, China and Afghanistan.

I am still in the darkness.Last Friday was the most dramatic day of my life since I was abducted.I had just spoken with my abductors, who for days kept telling me I would be released.So I was living in wait.They said things that I would understand only later.They talked of transfer related problems -Giuliana Sgrena/Online Journal

Though he has given no sign he might depart early, rumors have flown for weeks that Rumsfeld could leave after the quadrennial defense review-a major rethink of military policy-expected by the end of 2005.Among those said to be eying his post is newly retired deputy secretary of State Richard Armitage, a bitter rival of Rumsfeld's -Newsweek

It is noteworthy that despite the association of leading Western police officers with the investigation, no progress has been made.All the Western human and technical resources have not been able to determine definitively whether the assassination was carried out by a suicide bomber or through a remote-control mechanism.It seems as if the US, France and others do not want the investigation to make progress ... -B Raman/Asia Times

What will be the impact of Beijing's proposed "anti-secession" law on Taiwanese businesspeople investing in China? Under such a massive propaganda effort, Taiwanese businesspeople dare not say "no" to the law in public, even as it attempts to legalize military action against Taiwan -Taipei Times TW

China outlined an anti-secession bill on Tuesday that allows military force to head off any independence bid by Taiwan, legislation that has heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait. While the bill has raised alarm bells in Taiwan, analysts said language in the draft emphasizing the use of "non-peaceful" means as a last resort appeared designed to leave Beijing alternatives to war such as blockades or sanctions

Bolivian President Carlos Mesa, who built a career as a charismatic television journalist, likes to say that he's not a politician.And after just 17 months in power, his political career may already be over.Since early January, this Andean nation of 8 million has been plagued by recurring protests over fuel prices, the power of the central government, and the role of multinational companies in the economy -Christian Science Monitor

Mexico has their Bill and Hillary. Vicente and Marta Fox.Vicente Fox began his career at age 22 as a Coca Cola™ delivery man in Mexico City andd ended up, 16 years later, as president of the Mexican division of Coca Cola, Fox has the same magnetic charisma that endeared Bill Clinton to the voters of the United States throughout his myriad of sex scandals.Just like Hillary, Marta Fox is the ambitious evil twin who is equally determined to become president of her country -Jon Christian Ryter/NewsWithViews

Syrian troops began what is supposed to be their final redeployment in Lebanon Monday, shortly after a meeting between the two countries' leaders, in line with President Bashar Assad's speech Saturday before Syrian Parliament.The forces began to leave their posts on the hilltops surrounding Beirut, heading toward the eastern Bekaa Valley early in the afternoon -Daily Star LB

Russia’s exiled media tycoon Vladimir Gusinsky was named among 200 customers of the Israeli Bank Hapoalim under investigation in connection with money laundering allegations against the bank.

Live entertainment producer Clear Channel Entertainment said Monday it entered into a joint venture with the Chinese government designed to bring concerts and sporting events from the West to China.