Note: This page will be updated as new situations arise and as old ones conclude. The page is designed to teach others about some history and current status of worldly disputes so that they may learn and draw conclusions from them. Guatamala: Here a brutal civil war has thwarted native peoples for many years. A non-indiginous government has kept troops, even Guatamalan men, against their own will on patrol. Whenever they found enemies they would rape, kill, or demoralize them. This separation of the population is devastating to working government, and the establishment of the economy, in turn making all of life hard for Guatamalans. United States: Even though we consider our country one of the most advanced and developed nations in the world, we still have many problems which are very real to us. Welfare reform, lack of tax money, and a working government help to perpetuate the separation of classes within a society that keeps the poor poor. Without government agreements we will still have high unemployment and terrible problems in the inner cities. These problems are also at the heart of other hardships such as violence, lawlessness, illegal drug trafficking, and unrest. Ireland: Tension between Catholic Northern Ireland and Protestant Ireland has caused continued fighting and terrorism for years around the issue of Northern Ireland's independence, even though it goes against their religious principles. The two hold different political beliefs but similar religious ones, however, each is willing to brutally terrorize and kill the other. Talks have occured many times, and the violence may be over, but terrorism is very unpredictable. This situation is much like the one in Israel; some are willing to concede but others must have it their way. It is a brutal struggle. Israel: Since it's beginning after World War II, Israel has had constant heated arguments with Arabs about Israel's existence in the Middle East and of the territory of the West Bank. Formal wars have been fought, but Israel has dominated and has expanded its territories, an event previously not believed possible. Since then, the Arabs have turned to terrorism and have also created the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization), designed to take control of the West Bank. The latest peace talks have made efforts to come to an agreement with the PLO, but both sides are not fully willing to co-operate and violence is still rampant. Zaire: A civil war made up of guerillas and the President's forces has been fought here for many years. The end is near with the guerillas approaching and President Mobutu may soon lose power. What happens afterward will still be problematic, however, because of the social class hostility. It will be tough to modernize this nation so that all inhabitants are happy and prosperous. Winning the war will be a great victory for the people of Zaire. Bosnia-Herzigovina: Since the breakup of Yugoslavia, the created nations have attempted to regain territories and re-create that country. Serbia has attempted to take over Bosnia, and the UN council finally ruled to intervene in the war and then to keep the peace. Hostilities still run high, however, and border disputes as well as strong patriotism are hard forces to control. As of now the situation is temporarily averted until a more centralized and stable system is implemented. Afghanistan: Today in Afghanistan, an international struggle for control over new oil reserves is raging, which has begun to take form in actual hand-to-hand battles. Many Asian countries, along with the United States are either trying their diplomatic or military hand at trying to gain control of the oil to be able to make profits on it's transportation and/or sales. This new develpoment has caused old tensions between Muslims and Hindus to be revived in Pakistan's and India's foreign policies. So far nothing major has happened, but unsatisfied parties are still trying to get in on the action. Congo: The former country Zaire has been completely overhauled in one of the first post-colonial African revolutions. The rebel faction successfully uprooted the oppressive but native government and has since renamed it's territory to the former title of Congo. However, the new power faces many problems as it tries to build a country Content among the populus will be a much-needed asset to forge a strong republic. Kosovo: In late March (1999), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization decided to start bombing Yugoslavia. This bombing is in response to human rights violations committed by President Milosevic. Currently, Yugoslavia has taken three prisoners of war, and the United States holds one. For up-to-date information, visit CNN.COM.