eports indicated that over 3000 additional US marines would be sent to southern Afghanistan as NATO forces were facing a growing Taliban in the region. It was reported that Gen. Dan McNeill, commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan requested the additional forces, a request supported by Adm. William Fallon, commander of American forces in the Middle East and by Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Out of the 40,000 troops under NATO command, 14,000 were American, apart from the additional 12,000 American forces engaged in counter-terror operations.

Among other developments, the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party government of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on January 11 passed a special law authorizing its navy to resume refueling missions in the Indian Ocean in support on the ongoing military operations in Afghanistan. The mission, suspended in November 2007 was expected to resume by the end of the month1.

• 1. Japan approves bill on Afghan war,” The New York Times, January 10, 2008, at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/12/world/asia/12japan.html?ref=todayspaper