War/Regional conflicts

Lebanon and Israel: Conflict with Hezbollah Tears Apart Lebanon

Date: July 18th, 2006 |

The conflict between Israel and the Islamic militant group Hezbollah has battered Lebanon, shutting down air traffic into Beirut and forcing the evacuation of thousands of foreigners. The evacuation of as many as 25,000 Americans began July 17. Israeli missiles targeted infrastructure and Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, and Hezbollah missiles hit Haifa and threatened northern [read more]

Sri Lanka: Moving toward War Again?

Date: January 3rd, 2006 |

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A surge of violence in December has raised concerns that the almost-four-year-old cease-fire may come to an end and the country may slip back into war. Tamil Tiger rebels have killed 45 soldiers in recent ambushes, and the U.S. Embassy warned Americans about travel to the north and east, especially the Jaffna Peninsula, and all [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: January 8th, 2003 |

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Ongoing civil war has prompted KLM to announce the suspension of service between Amsterdam and Abidjan effective Feb. 3 through March 29. The move appears to be less a concern about safety than recognition that business has dropped significantly on the route. Air France still flies daily between Paris an [read more]

Kuwait

Date: October 2nd, 2002 |

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Some media reported that the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait had advised Americans to leave the country, but the official spokesman for the embassy stated that the reports were false. At the same time, Kuwaitis are bracing themselves for the fallout from a war with Iraq, expecting to be attacked by Iraq if the U.S. attacks. [read more]

India

Date: June 19th, 2002 |

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Travel to Kashmir has been risky for many years because of Islamic separatist activity and corresponding crackdowns by Indian security forces, but since May 26 India has been attacking guerrilla forces with jets and helicopters in mountainous areas near the Pakistani border. Pakistani leaders have offered to meet with their Indian counterparts to reduce tensions [read more]

Sri Lanka: On the Brink of War

Date: June 20th, 2006 |

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Only 18 months after the tsunami disaster seemed to bring warring factions closer together, Sri Lanka appears again to be on the brink of civil war. Tamil Tiger rebels detonated land mines around a crowded bus June 15 killing 64 civilians in what represents their worst attack in years. What appeared to be reprisal killings [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: February 4th, 2003 |

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The U. S. Embassy in Abidjan closed as a temporary security measure Feb. 3 because of scheduled demonstrations near the embassy chancery building, but expected to reopen within days, security conditions permitting. The political situation is volatile with anti-French demonstrations now occurring almost daily. Thousands of government supporters are upset with the French for brokering [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: December 3rd, 2002 |

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Intense fighting in the western cities of Danane and Man between the army and new rebel groups underscores the continued volatility of the country. The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan is operating with a skeleton staff and all other government personnel have been ordered out of the country, including families of Embassy employees. Travel outside Abidjan [read more]

India/Pakistan

Date: July 2nd, 2002 |

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Citing a lessening of the high tensions of the past month, the State Department has replaced its warning against all travel to India with a warning to defer all but essential travel here. Non-emergency embassy and consular personnel and family members who left the country have not returned, and tensions could increase at any time. [read more]

India/Pakistan

Date: May 21st, 2002 |

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Tensions over Kashmir are reaching a boiling point after a suicide bombing at an Indian army camp killed 34 people, including soldiers’ wives and children, May 14. India blames Pakistan for this and many other attacks both in Kashmir and elsewhere in India, and is weighing its response, which could include a military attack. Additional [read more]