The flurry of activity will determine whether there will be a new round of international diplomacy with Tehran, and whether Messrs.

WSJ: Iran Emerging as Election-Year Wild Card

The new round of international aid will prevent default and should keep Greece solvent through 2014, but the country is still in deep fiscal trouble.

FORBES: Amid Rioting In Athens, Greek Parliament Grudgingly Approves Painful Cuts

Beijing has joined the World Trade Organisation, and Delhi sees it as a powerful potential counterweight to the power of America and the other rich nations in setting the terms for international commerce trade in a new global trade round.

BBC: China and India build business links

They were widely tipped to win the International Rugby Board vote but they controversially lost out to New Zealand in the second round of the secret ballot.

BBC: Japan to bid for 2015 World Cup

Japan were widely tipped to win the International Rugby Board vote but they controversially lost out to New Zealand in the second round of the secret ballot.

BBC: Wales confirm World Cup bid plans

In addition, current friction between the United States and its major trading partners, faltering progress in the new GATT round, and increasingly tense North-South economic and financial relations (stemming primarily from the international debt crisis) , would provide the USSR with many new opportunities to further "stir the pot" between the United States and its traditional allies.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy