However, such activities, though useful, do not require a formal military alliance among the western powers.
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The core Western powers have never seen eye to eye with Russia on foreign policy.
Western powers overseeing Kosovo have announced the end of their supervision of the tiny Balkan nation.
To a lesser extent some Western powers are also pushing their own men or models.
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This split presents the western powers and Carlos Westendorp, their representative in Bosnia, with a dilemma.
In part, this is because the Western powers have been more benevolent than the Russians were.
Of course, history did not turn out quite as the Western powers had planned.
But once again the western powers do not seem able to agree on how to run the mission.
Western powers have urged Macedonia to act with restraint, fearing an all-out assault could cost heavy civilian casualties.
Russia has criticized Western powers, including the United States, that have recognized the opposition as Syria's rightful leadership.
NATO's ranks, the conflict has spurred an impressive display of unity, at least among the leading western powers.
Neighboring states, Western powers and the United Nations have condemned the coup and demanded the junta restore Toure's government.
Al-Bashir has called the charges an attempt by Western powers to recolonize Sudan.
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But if the western powers want to stop the Karadzic clan they will have to intervene still more forcibly.
The western powers that are shoring up Albania's economy should use their clout to keep it out of the conflict.
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It is also central to Islamic identity as the site of brutal conflicts, first with Christian Crusaders and then Western powers.
Together they are responsible for constructing the country's regional and foreign policies, including the nuclear portfolio and relations with Western powers.
But they have often ended with Iran demanding the West lifts sanctions as a condition to any nuclear move, and the Western powers refusing.
Moreover, the existing members have ensured that it will be at least nine years before Yangon hosts a meeting attended by Western powers.
He has denied the charge, but refuses to stand trial because Sudan does not recognise the ICC, saying it is a tool of Western powers.
President Hosni Mubarak has been the central pillar of the alliance between Western powers and authoritarian Arab leaders and without him it may not be sustainable.
Often, France has taken a lead role in recent crises, prompting criticism from countries such as South Africa about Western powers favoring military over diplomatic solutions.
At the same time, the western powers have been forced to acknowledge that Russia, because of its historical ties to Serbia, may well be needed as a go-between.
He has called on western powers to tone down their bellicose rhetoric and in the past has suggested that Iran should be allowed to enrich small amounts of uranium.
The Western powers are pushing for tougher action while Damascus's allies, Russia and China, say Mr Annan's six-point peace plan, which the Syrian government has agreed to, is sufficient.
The EU and Gulf aid agencies and corporations are providing a degree of assistance, but they have been constrained by Syria's poor political relations with key Arab states and Western powers.
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Samore and his colleagues believe there are no other options because all other options involve placing responsibility for contending with North Korea on non-Western powers like China, South Korea and Japan.
The result has been the creation, from Chile to China, of a highly dynamic international environment replete with exciting new opportunities, and potential perils, for the United States and other Western powers.
Mr. Zuma also angered some Western powers with support for Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo, long after he was declared by the U.N. to have lost last year's presidential vote to challenger Alassane Ouattara.
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