The trial of the accused terrorist, Australian David Hicks, is due to start before a United States Military Commission in March 2005. This research note provides a brief factual background on the Military Commissions and summarises the key developments to date in the pre-trial proceedings.

There is no doubt that terrorism is a major security problem that the world faces today. But there is far greater doubt as to whether it will constitute the major strategic issue the world will face over the next ten years and beyond, argues Aldo Borgu.

This paper argues that to invoke the term "war" does not in itself give the United States, or any other country, belligerent rights to attack terrorists wherever they may be found.

This Current Issues Brief provides an assessment of the situation in Afghanistan a year after the fall of the Taliban regime. It discusses the problems facing the country and concludes that there are grounds for cautious optimism if the international community stays involved in rebuilding efforts.