Iraq and Afghanistan on my mind, this day. Should they be not on your mind, too? Pray, they should be. Let them be on all minds, today.

Global TV is horror to watch these days, despite the beauty and fun of the World Cup. Listening to the complaints of the Afghan president, hearing of Japan pulling out its troops from Iraq, and the Italians set to do same, plus the indictments of some multinational personnel (especially the US) by military tribunals, not to mention the daily carnage of bombs, mines, blasts, beheadings, betrayals, smears, kidnappings, executions and extortions, we must worry.

The poll numbers are getting worse for political leaders in Europe and America, and civil society is restless about the unprecedented levels of "governance disconnect" in many countries around the globe. World Media today is an ugly and depressing fare. Yes, we must worry.

As for the two countries of my thought this day, I will do more than pray. I call on President Putin to host a Summit of the G8, Arab Leaders and China immediately after the upcoming G8 Meeting. India and Turkey and President Nelson Mandela should be invited. The purpose? To get an "Arab" UN Peace-Building Force for both countries. Let's do it. We must do it. Hey, let's dump politics, let's dismantle pride. Things are drifting ultra-dangerous right now. Add this to the Israeli-Palestinian disaster, and you'll get my drift!

I am concerned because we may end up with an unbridgeable gulf between America and the Arab World in the future - a prospect we cannot afford, must not allow, in our emerging Global Village! Yet, we can stop it!

So may I caution.

Sudan knows better than all outsiders why there's a need for a UN Peace-Keeping Force in the Dafur region. We all know that the African Troops are insufficient and under-resourced for the new and urgent (even, dire) task at hand. No more delay, please.

Now is the time for Arab and African brethren to intervene and prevail on President al-Bashir. He is reported as vowing to block such a deployment as long as he is president. That is scary! China should also step in, considering its leverage with Khartoun. The consequences of failure in Darfur are grave, and should not be contemplated. We must have peace in Darfur.

Let all men and women of goodwill join the plea-train, today. Sudan should listen, and hearken.
Especially as it is helping to find a peaceful resolution in the Somalian crisis! We commend that move, and ask that it bolster the effort with a higher standing in international reckoning.

Give the UN a chance, please.

Israel should follow up today's informal summit, hosted by King Abdullah of Jordan, with an immediate stop of its so-called "targetted" missile attacks on Palestinians. The breakfast meeting at which Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbass embraced on global TV was good, even promising. But we need a lot more than foto-shoots, now. Things are getting worse on a daily basis. This can't be good for either side. No! Change, positive change is due...NOW.

We thank both His Majesty and the tireless, ever (he says he doesn't mind being called over- !) optimistic Shimon Peres for the ice-breaking get-together.

Let the Hamas leadership not rock the boat, please. Peace is long overdue!