US Involvement in the Crisis in Colombia

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Colombia gets more US aid than any country other than Israel and Egypt. Yet, despite the collapse of peace talks and Colombia's descent toward civil war, the Bush Administration has decided against escalating military involvement, at least for now. But in the world capital of cocaine and kidnapping, deadly violence is on the increase, and each day is a fight for survival as soldiers, rebels and death squads roam the countryside. As pressure builds, will the focus shift away from fighting drug traffic? Will President Bush extend the war on terrorism to Colombia? We look at the pressure for deeper US involvement in a country torn apart by drugs, kidnappings, leftist rebels and paramilitary groups, with human rights advocates, military strategists, and Latin American policy analysts. Newsmaker: Nuclear Fallout Likely Caused 15,000 Deaths Before above-ground nuclear weapons testing was banned in 1963, the US and other countries tested extensively, spreading radioactive fallout over much of the world. What was the impact in the United States? USA Today has obtained portions of the first effort to make an assessment. Investigative reporter Peter Eisler, who wrote the story, explains who's at greatest risk, and why. Reporter's Notebook: Ehud Barak on the Saudi Peace Plan Saudi Arabia is the unlikely source of a new proposal to end the deadly cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Crown Prince Abdullah has crafted a plan that would recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state in exchange for its immediate withdrawal from territories seized since the 1967 war. How does that sound to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, whose own peace plan died a terrible death at Camp David?
Colombia gets more US aid than any country other than Israel and Egypt. Yet, despite the collapse of peace talks and Colombia's descent toward civil war, the Bush Administration has decided against escalating military involvement, at least for now. But in the world capital of cocaine and kidnapping, deadly violence is on the increase, and each day is a fight for survival as soldiers, rebels and death squads roam the countryside. As pressure builds, will the focus shift away from fighting drug traffic? Will President Bush extend the war on terrorism to Colombia? We look at the pressure for deeper US involvement in a country torn apart by drugs, kidnappings, leftist rebels and paramilitary groups, with human rights advocates, military strategists, and Latin American policy analysts.
  • Newsmaker: Nuclear Fallout Likely Caused 15,000 Deaths
    Before above-ground nuclear weapons testing was banned in 1963, the US and other countries tested extensively, spreading radioactive fallout over much of the world. What was the impact in the United States? USA Today has obtained portions of the first effort to make an assessment. Investigative reporter Peter Eisler, who wrote the story, explains who's at greatest risk, and why.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Ehud Barak on the Saudi Peace Plan
    Saudi Arabia is the unlikely source of a new proposal to end the deadly cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Crown Prince Abdullah has crafted a plan that would recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state in exchange for its immediate withdrawal from territories seized since the 1967 war. How does that sound to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, whose own peace plan died a terrible death at Camp David?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Cancer Institute

USA Today

American Friends Service Committee

Inter-American Dialogue

US Army War College

US News and World Report

The Washington Post

Witness for Peace

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Warren Olney