ABC Radio Australia

Last week Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto addressed her power-sharing deal with General Pervez Musharraf at her press confrerence. “Many have criticized the deal but it is being done to avoid bloodshed and ensure an orderly transfer of power to the people,” she said.

In an interview with ABC Radio Australia, New America Foundation Fellow Rajan Menon discussed Bhutto’s political situation upon her return to Pakistan after eight years in exile.

Has Bhutto been damaged politically by… more

MICHAEL ROWLAND: A resurgent al-Qaeda is the last thing the US and its Coalition allies need at the moment. Bogged down in Baghdad and bracing for a fresh Taliban offensive in Afghanistan, Coalition forces are already stretched perilously thin.But American Intelligence agencies have concluded al-Qaeda has been steadily rebuilding its global terror network from its operational hub in Pakistan's remote northwest.The New York Times quotes intelligence officials who say they've identified a number of new al-Qaeda… more

Sri Lanka's military jets have pounded rebel-held territory in the island's north-east in the wake of one of the deadliest ever suicide bombings in which some 100 people were killed.

The latest fighting has heightened international moves to keep next week's scheduled peace talks on track...

To listen to the interview, please visit ABC Radio Australia's website.

On 27 September, four Russian military officers were arrested in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, on charges of spying. In a very public gesture, the alleged spies were paraded in the capital city before eventually being deported back to Moscow.

Russian president, Vladimir Putin accused Georgia of conducting "state terrorism with hostage-taking" and Russia has imposed economic sanctions on Georgia, including cutting all transport and postal links, closing major Georgian businesses in Moscow and deporting Georgians allegedly living illegally in Russia.

This… more

MARK COLVIN: The Prime Minister has responded to a major report which says the war in Iraq has increased terrorism, by saying that terrorism existed long before the US and its allies overthrew Saddam Hussein.

The US National Intelligence Estimate, or NIE, is a joint document summing up the views of the CIA, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Agency, and 12 other American intelligence agencies.

This year's NIE concludes that the war in Iraq has boosted Islamic… more

ELEANOR HALL: World leaders are today mulling over Iran's offer to negotiate on its nuclear activities, but there's already scepticism about the regime's sincerity.

While the chief nuclear negotiator in Tehran has today announced that Iran is willing to engage in serious talks about the West's demands that the country halt its uranium enrichment program, this contrasts with Iran's supreme religious leader who vowed yesterday that his country would not suspend its nuclear program...

MICHAEL ROWLAND: The problem for the UN is… more