July 25, World in Brief

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has started today her diplomatic mission in the Middle East - meetings with Israeli PM Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas (NBC) - on an unannounced trip to ravaged Beirut, Dr. Rice outlined a plan Monday to deploy an international force, possibly led by NATO, in a buffer zone just inside Lebanon for 60 to 90 days, after which it would expand its mission to help the Lebanese army (WaPo). Support is building quickly for an international military force to be placed in southern Lebanon, but there remains a small problem: where will the troops come from? (NYT). Beirut has been split in two, its less affluent Shiite flank mutilated by airstrikes while the rest of the city remains mostly unscathed (NYT). Borders clashes intensify as Israel hunts militants (NYT). The op-ed by Nicholas D. Kristof in today's TimesSelect: Washington is resisting an immediate cease-fire so as to give Israeli forces more of a chance to destroy Hezbollah. But more time isn’t likely to accomplish much militarily, while every day of grisly photos on Arab television strengthens hard-liners — and Iranian and Shiite influence — throughout the region. World in brief: Afghanistan, Somalia, Congo, Sudan, Mexico, Thailand, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Spain, Great Britain, Belarus, Jordan (WaPo). Serbian leaders hear formal plea for the independence of Kosovo (WaPo). Former US President Clinton supports Sen. Lieberman (WaPo). The Fix makes the case for Sen. Barack Obama, pondering the possibility of his presidential candidacy in 2008. They say the young Democrat Senator from Ilinois has still a too thin resume, but there are two years ahead. Run Barack, Run! I totally agree.