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Time for another summary attempt, this one focusing on international issues:

1) The world's focus is on Spain, following the terrorist bombings which tore through Madrid rail stations last week, killing 201 and injuring over 1500.

Initial reports blamed ETA, the Basque separatist group, but further investigation found links to Al Qaeda, who claimed responsibility. The distinct possibility still exists that AQ planned the attacks but may have used ETA connections to carry them out.

This possibility needs to be noted: the number of terrorist cells throughout the world who admire AQ is vast, and a good number of them would be happy to carry out an operation in conjunction with AQ, with AQ providing the financing, planning and logistical support, and the local terrorists providing knowledge, aid and support.

2) Arrests made in the Madrid bombings have led to a virtual spider's web of terrorist connections. Several of the arrested men were from Morocco and have ties to others who carried out the bombings in Morocco last year, and who helped plan the 9/11 atacks in the US. Other connections have been made to AQ operatives in London, the Netherlands, and Algeria.

3) Spain's reaction of grief and anger at the terrorists quickly turned into an indictment of their government's support of the US, despite the majority of Spaniards having been opposed to sending troops into Iraq as part of the Coalition forces.

4) This majority spoke on Sunday, as Spanish elections were held just 3 days after the terrorist bombings. Conservative Prime Minister Aznar's party was defeated by the Socialist Party candidate Zapatero.

5) Zapatero has already promised to withdraw Spanish forces from Iraq; although the 1300 troops are a relatively small number in comparison to the total deployment of Coalition forces, the message sent to AQ and other terrorist groups is not good.

6) Basically, the winner in all this was AQ, as Spain just proved to them that by using terrorism they can affect political outcomes by forcing people to accede to their wishes.

7) Honduras, following the lead of Spain, has announced that they will withdraw their troops from Iraq as well.

8) In a show of solidarity with the US - Poland, Italy and Australia have said that they intend to keep their forces in Iraq as part of the Coalition. This is of special note since Italian forces were specifically targeted in Nasiriyah in recent weeks.

9) Security has been ramped up in countries who support the war on terror in Iraq, specifically in England and Australia. Other countries have voiced fear that they may be targeted as well for their involvement in Iraq.

10) Attacks in Iraq have taken a slightly different turn in recent weeks. Several civilians have been killed, with a group of 3 having been murdered by Iraqis dressed as police at a checkpoint. It is still under investigation whether the killers were posing as policemen, or whether the ranks of the Iraqi police have been infiltrated.

11) Other hotbeds around the world are being watched closely. Unrest in Georgia may lead to civil war; Russia remains a sleeping giant that must be watched. Evidence is being uncovered almost daily that the US (and much of the rest of the world) may have been lulled into thinking that the end of the Cold War was due to the splintering of Russia as we knew it. This sleeping giant is beginning to awaken from their long winter's nap, and they look pretty grumpy. We must remain vigilant when it comes to Russia; their sharing of secrets and technology with our other enemies (not to mention the vast number of suitcase nukes that remain unaccounted for) makes them a formidible adversary.

12) Another communist country that many felt was no longer a threat is Cuba. This island nation, just 90 miles off our coast, has fallen into disarray in recent years, but Castro still spouts communist rhetoric, and some countries seem more than happy to listen. Venezuala's President Chavez is aligning his political idealogy after his good friend Fidel, as is Brazilian President da Silva. Of special note is that only 7 of 33 Carribean, Central and South American countries supported US military action in Iraq. The US must be vigilant in regards to the big evil a-brewin' to our south.

13) Iran, angry over recent votes in the EU, has banned UN weapons inspectors indefinitely.

14) Joint US/Pakistani operations in the region along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border has led to the killing of several key Taliban/AQ figures. The push is on to locate OBL and his henchmen.

15) The situation in the Far East is a little volatile now as well. South Korea impeached their Prime Minister, and as a result, North Korea did not show up for talks, saying the situation was too unstable.

16) China has decided to take part in military training manoevres (some in conjunction with the French!) just as Taiwan is about to hold presidential elections. China has vowed to use force if Taiwan attempts to declare independence.

Please feel free to add to/correct this summary...