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One of the world's most wanted drug lords has been captured hiding in bushes in his underwear.

Colombian authorities are calling the arrest of Diego Montoya, nicknamed The Lord of War, as their biggest drug war victory since the 1993 slaying of Medellin cartel leader Pablo Escobar.

Montoya, who sits with Osama bin Laden on the FBI's 10 most-wanted list, allegedly leads the Norte del Valle cartel, Colombia's most powerful and dangerous trafficking organization.

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Captured: Colombian drug king Diego Montoya, flanked by five commandos

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• The Coke-Father: How justice finally caught up with one of the world's most wanted drugs baron

Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos, in a press conference at Bogota's airport, said Montoya was responsible for 1,500 killings in his career.

The FBI had offered US$5 million (£2.5m) for information leading to the arrest of Montoya, who put up no resistance when the army finally tracked him down in the cartel's stronghold of Valle del Cauca state in western Colombia.

"Drug traffickers take note: this is the future that awaits you," Santos said before the heavy-set Montoya limped out of an air force plane wearing plastic handcuffs and escorted by five Colombian commandos.

Montoya was to be questioned in Bogota before being extradited to the United States, a procedure Santos said would take at most two months.

The operation to capture the 49-year-old Montoya took months of preparation and got the green light before dawn Monday, when commandos raided a farm and caught him with his mother, an uncle and three other cartel members.

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Montoya sits with Osama bin Laden on the FBI's 10 most-wanted list

Authorities had been closing in on the cartel since last year, when soldiers killed eight members of a private militia believed to be protecting Montoya, but a wide network of cartel informants had frustrated the search for the alleged drug boss himself. Another complication has been the cartel's alleged infiltration of Colombia's army and navy.

"Colombia's capture of cocaine kingpin Diego Montoya shows what can be accomplished by a government that is relentless, focused, and skilled in the effort to dismantle threats to its democracy," said White House "Drug Czar" John P. Walters.

A U.S. indictment unsealed in 2004 against Montoya and Varela said that over the previous 14 years their cartel had exported more than 1.2 million pounds - 600 tons - of cocaine worth more than US$10 billion from Colombia to Mexico and ultimately to the United States for resale.

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Montoya is said to be behind around £5billion worth of cocaine that ended up in the USA

Colombia is the source of 90 percent of the cocaine entering the United States. Supplies have remained robust despite record extraditions and coca eradication, and despite "Don Diego's" capture, history suggests it won't be long before someone takes his place.

Tymoshenko is in Forbes list of most powerful women 2009

German Chancellor Angela Merkel tops Forbes magazine's list of powerful women for the fourth year running. US First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton failed to even make the top 30.

She has topped the list four times since becoming the first female chancellor of Germany in 2005.

The 2009 list was dominated by businesswomen, mostly from the United States.

In second place came Sheila Bair, chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC), which insures US banks. Third was Indra Nooyi, chief executive at PepsiCo.

Michelle Obama appeared on the list for the first time, ranking 40th.

Two notches below her, at 42, came Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

This year Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko is again in the Forbes list of most powerful women. But this time she is on 47^th place. Last year Yulia Tymoshenko got 17^th position in the list.

The list is based on factors such as economic impact, media reach and career accomplishments.

Ten of the most powerful war epics

The Bottom Line All of these films are gripping and telling - they belong in everyone's film collection.

1. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - Steven Spielberg
WWII

This is definitely a given. When it comes to films like this and Schindler's List, Spielberg proves that he earns the hype. For the few who are unfamiliar with the story, it's about Capt. John Miller (beautifully played by Tom Hanks) and his mission to take a group of eight men and find and save Pvt. James Ryan. What makes Ryan so special is that he is the only son that is still alive during the war. All of his brothers have died and Miller and crew are sent to send him that news as well as inform him that he gets to go home. The most intense half hour of any film occurs in the beginning of this movie - the D-Day invasion of Normandy. We watch as Capt John Miller prepares for the massacre on the beach, when we first see him he takes a drink off his water flask and as he closes the top his hands shake uncontrollably. As a captain, he has to be strong and push any feelings aside during battle. All the performances from Hanks to Sizemore to Matt Damon are perfect. I am sure this film is hard to watch for WWII veterans. But it is a great contribution to their memory.

2. Casualties of War (1989) - Brian DePalma
Vietnam

This movie tells some brutal truths about Vietnam and I think this film needs more recognition, hence why it's on my list. It stars Michael J Fox as the new private coming aboard a platoon in Vietnam. He was a yuppie back at home and now in war still plays by the rules and is haunted by his conscience. Sean Penn plays the cruel Sgt in charge. THe core of the movie surrounds an event where 5 men are in a village alone with a young Vietnamese woman. Four of the men torture and rape her and the fifth (Michael J Fox) refuses. Yet he can't save her from her destiny. We eventually find out that this story is based on a submission to a magazine which most likely is a true story. Regardless, it is one of those movies that exhibits horrific realities of Vietnam.

3. All Quiet On The Western Front (1930) - Lewis Milestone
WWI

Despite the fact this is a film about German soldiers who are played by American actors, it is still terrific. The beginning of the film starts in a classroom with a bunch of young high school students. The patriotic teacher persuades the boys to serve in WWI. The boys turned men find themselves unprepared for what they observe during war - mutilated bodies, tortured soldiers, and mayhem. One of the most powerful scenes finds one of the main characters stuck in a trench with a dead French soldier whom he has killed. The soldier weeps fearing for his life and praying for life to be back to normal.

4. Glory (1989) - Edward Zwick
Civil War

Wonderfully poetic story about the first African-American company to fight in the Civil War. Matthew Broderick is well casted as the very young Colonel Robert Shaw who accepts to be their leader. The film begins with a group of poor ex-slaves and sharecroppers who all want to fight. Some have never fired a gun and some barely have clothes on their back but are more than willing to risk their lives for the union. Denzel Washington won an Oscar for his portrayal of one of the ex-slaves who rebels against the colonel and is punished by being whipped in front of the colonel. It is only then that Col. Shaw realizes what these men have been through. Washington's back is full of scars from previous whippings. The men suffer from racism, prejudice, and inequality. They are not paid as much as the white soldiers, they do not get proper uniforms, they have to beg to fight in a battle, and are forced to fight gangrene because the army would not supply them with appropriate shoes. Other great acts - Morgan Freeman and Cary Elwes.

5. Apocalpse Now (1979) - Francis Ford Coppola
Vietnam

This odd but brilliant movie is based off of a book by Joseph Conrad. Martin Sheen plays Capt Willard whose mission is to find Col. Kurtz (Marlon Brando). Kurtz and his men have been conducting dangerous missions, the army believes that Kurtz is now insane and is perceived as a god in the small village where he lives. Coppola had a hell of a time making this movie. Martin Sheen had a heart attack during the shoot in the muggy Philippines. A notoriously hard to work with Brando hadn't read the book, known his lines, and became overweight. Coppola lost reported 100 pounds and the shooting took over a year. In the end, the film became to be one of the best war movies in film history.

6. Born on the Fourth of July (1989) - Oliver Stone
Vietnam

Yet another Vietnam war film but from a different angle. Based on the true story of Ron Kovic. In the beginning Kovic is just out of high school and has the boy-next-door look and is anxious to join the military and go to war. Eventually he finds himself in the middle of a misleading war which is not at all what he thought it was. Kovic is wounded and becomes paralyzed from the waist down. This along with other events in the story has damaged him and when he finally comes home to his loving middle class family he is unrecognizable physically and emotionally. He suffers from PTSD and alcoholism. He is bitter and feels betrayed by everyone. Tom Cruise plays Kovic and everytime I see the movie I have a hard time believing it's Cruise. This is definitely his best performance. The film depicts Kovic before, during, and after the war and ends with him as a well known anti-war activist. Oliver Stone who has directed some sketchy movies did a great job with this one - Stone himself fought in Vietnam.

7. Das Boot (1981) - Wolfgang Petersen
WWII

This film works on so many levels it's hard to begin. ALl I got from it was that even the most stubborn and patriotic American can feel sympathy for the Nazis aboard a sub in this movie. This is told from the German side of the war - not Hitler or the camps but about Germans who were once everyday people until Hitler came to power. Whether they believed in Nazism or not, they had no choice. Aboard a U-boat, a bunch of German soldiers are stuck underwater battling inhygenic living conditions, boredom, filth, claustrophobia, and increasingly scary battles with both enemy AND ally ships. The ending scenes are haunting - the captain aboard the ship looks at the scene he is witnessing - Germans are letting other Germans drown and die in an explosion on the sea. Petersen gets us one more time by the last frame. Action packed and to the point, Das Boot does something that an American film can't.

8. Braveheart (1995) - Mel Gibson
Scotland vs. Britain

Gibson directs, writes, and acts William Wallace. Wallace aka 'braveheart', was a Scottish man from the 13th century who led a rebellion against British rule. In the beginning Wallace is a young boy who soon becomes an orphan - his older brother and father die in a battle against Britain. Wallace is taken to live with his uncle. Gibson plays the grown-up Wallace who comes back to his hometown and starts courting his childhood crush, Murron. They plan to marry despite two obstacles - her father and the British law that allows Lords to sleep with brides on their wedding night before the groom gets a chance. They marry in secret and are happy until their village is invaded by a bunch of Lords who end up murdering Murron. A distraught Wallace gets his vengence and becomes one of the most known Scottish heroes. The battle scenes are gory and thrilling, the drama is well told and played, and even brief moments of humor make their way into Gibson's masterpiece.

9. The Deer Hunter (1978) - Michael Cimino

One of my favorite movies is The Deer Hunter. Many people are familiar with the scary Russian Roulette scenes in which a captured Robert DeNiro plays against his best friend Christopher Walken (who won an Oscar for the role). What many people don't focus on or know is everything else in the story. Vietnam is just a third of the movie. Before the war, we see friends in a small town uniting over a marriage in a Russian orthodox church. The groom and 2 of his buddies will soon go to Vietnam and everyone's life is about to change. Everyone is great in the movie - Streep, DeNiro, Walken, and Savage. This is a must see that tells the full story of a small town that is deeply impacted by a war that takes place thousands of miles away.

10. Hotel Rwanda (2004) - Terry George

This is the true story of the Rwandan version of Oskar Schindler. Don Cheadle is heartbreaking as a hotel manager in the 90's during a coup in Rwanda against Hutu and Tutsi tribes which left over a million innocent people dead. Paul (Don Cheadle) is a Hutu who is married to a Tutsi. Amid the chaos, the war, and genocide Paul manages to save 1200 people in his hotel whilst putting himself and his family in grave danger. This is a true story about a man who used everything he could to save as many as he could. By his clever use of bribes, lies, and flattery he barely manages to survive. Nick Nolte also plays a key role as a Canadian peacekeeper whose job is obsolete. He helps Paul any way he can because he wants to save the people of Rwanda.

The World Most Powerful Countries. My list of the Top 10 in terms of power. 2009Lo

1 The United States of America, Look at http://www.lonympics.co.uk/

The world's biggest economy and by far in terms of spending and power the worlds strongest army, the most powerful democracy, and the media centre of the world, plus in many ways the centre of world diplomacy and foreign relations. This easily makes the USA the worlds most powerful country.

2 Russian Federation

The second largest army, and a puppeteer of many Central Asian states. The largest European population, and largest world area, which gives it immense control over itself, and immense levels of independence . The size of Russia helps give it extra resources and abilities that make it such a big power.

3 Peoples Republic of China

The 4th or 2nd largest GNP depending on different measures (Either normal measures, or ones which cancel out misleading totals for currency values, in that later case China places second) a recent riser, above France and Britain, It also has established itself as having nukes. a huge army, and is becoming even more of a international power, as of the resource hungry booming economy, though even if that stalled, it would still be 3rd, as of other advantages.

Plus massively the Largest population in the world, And like the above 2 is a UN Security council member.

4 France

The fifth republic has UN security council membership, is a nuclear power and has alot of influence over Africa. It is also a G7 economy, a leading democracy, and has a quite large army, one of worlds most powerful infact. Added to this EU membership gives it extra power.

5 Britain

UN security council status, nuclear weapons, G7 economy, a leading democratic state, and a media from music, to actors centre, that has alot of influence over the world as of it's popularity. Membership of the EU adds to it's power.

6 Japan

The State of Japan has the second largest economy, and a big democracy, large population, but rammed in by China, and the USA, so below France, and Britain,

7 Republic of India

The most populous democracy, a growing economy, and nuke weapons, as the Second most populous country on Earth it has moral sway,

8 Federal Republic of Germany

The World's third economy, and a top 3 in terms of power EU member, of the 27 European Union countries, but hampered in influence, as of World War two, and World War One, Which affected Germany's moral position in the world, and reduced German influence on many areas of the world,

9 Republic of Pakistan Look at http://www.lonympics.co.uk/

Second largest Muslim country, largest in the area where most Muslim lands are, has nuclear weapons, and a quite united nationality,

Beats Indonesia, as that land is to far away from other Muslim lands, so carries less weight. but mabye could rise. if Pakistan fizzles a bit as of spending so much on it's millitary dictatorship. While Indonesia, grows as a more civil democratic land. Maybe Indonesia is below, as it was a even more brutal dictatorship to it's people, in the late 1960s too 1990s. While Pakistan was to other nationalities, such as Bangladeshis. during the 1970s, but to West Pakistan people was not as bad as Indonesia's brutal dictators were to it's people in the mid and late 1960s, If Pakistan had not been so bad to Bengalis then it would still have them, and stand no chance of falling behind Indonesia, as it rises. It's power tussles with India, make it keep a high arms budget, but could weaken it long term, as army spending long term is a inefficient use of economic resources.

10 Republic of Brazil,Look at http://www.lonympics.co.uk/

Largest Latin American country, Largest Portugueese speaking land, good relations globally,

Biggest power in Africa, South Africa, via the support for the ANC, it's huge economy, and such. Look at http://www.lonympics.co.uk/

Biggest power in South Pacific, bar above mentioned, is Australia. Well it is the biggest, and that includes Chile, and Peru. Though outside of this area it lacks international power.

Changes expected for 2008 include India and China continuing their advance as of their new world power status, but all these lands essentially keeping their positions for next year as of each nation's inate strenghs. The European Union could be called a new superpower, if it carries on progressing, and if it's members continue pooling more powers. The links between North America and Europe across the Atlantic, should keep these areas strong in the world. With the USA keeping it's place as the hyper power for another decade at least.ook

For Sale Hopes and Dreams: The Story of Barack Obama (Paperback)

For Sale A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton by Carl Bernstein

The Ten Most Powerful Movie Franchises in History

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 29, 2007

In this the Summer of Sequels, movie goers everywhere will be re-introduced to so many of their favorite movie franchises. Spider-Man has made his return to the big screen, Shrek came back for one more and now Captain Jack and his band of pillaging Pirates have entered the race, dominating the Memorial Day weekend with their journey to World’s End.

And while the world speculates whether these epic, record-breaking third installments will be the last of these particular franchises, I would like to take a look at epic franchises in general. What is an Epic Movie Franchise, you may ask? Well, it starts by having at least two movies in a series and can range anywhere from 2-3 films (a la Mission Impossible) to countless installments and re-hashings (a la James Bond). The even harder question: how do you say what is the most powerful movie franchise in history? Is it the one that has grossed the most money at the box office? Is it the franchise with the most longevity? Is it the one with the most marketing prowess or the largest fanbase? I say it is a combination of all of these things; the cult followings, the major blockbuster releases and yes, even the marketability play a part. When these franchises crank out a new film, fans storm the gates, camp out and sacrifice members of their families to be the first to behold their favorite characters on the big screen.

Today, I bring you the Ten Most Powerful Movie Franchises in History:

10. Indiana Jones

If you seek to understand what happened to George Lucas after Star Wars and what Steven Spielberg did before Jurassic Park, look no further than the Indiana Jones franchise. Almost subtly, these two cinematic masterminds unleashed one of the most iconic and unsuspecting heroes in film with Raiders of the Lost Arc in 1981. Jones had a way about him, thanks to a young Harrison Ford, that played well across just about every demographic. And while many though that Indy was a thing of the past, a relic to be locked up in the vault of cinema history, another film is due out in 2008. In classic Indiana Jones fashion, the guy may be down but he is certainly never out.

9. Spider-Man

Everyone knew that Spider-Man would make this particular list, but I bet you didn’t see it going so low in the pecking order, did ya? Whether it is my unbridled anger toward Sam Raimi for the most recent installment’s tremendous suckage or the fact that I personally think Batman could kick Spider-Man’s ass, I just don’t see Spider-Man as the end-all-be-all of movie franchises. Sure it has grossed billions world-wide between theatrical releases, DVDs and merchandising sales, but Spider-Man’s true fanbase is born of the iconic comic book hero, not Tobey Maguire in tights.

8. Shrek

I know what you are thinking; Shrek? WTF? And as much as Shrek may not belong in the same arena as some of the franchises yet to come on this list, there is no way to look past the power it has over the kids of world. The big green Ogre and his posse have proven with their third installment that even without much of a story, a Shrek movie can still be successful. Because it is animated and encompasses a great amount of characters, this franchise could live on forever. And even though the big kids may not appreciate it, the little ones will continue to devour everything Shrek, leaving mommy and daddy’s rising credit card debt in their wake.

7. Jurassic Park

George Lucas has his big franchise, which we will get to later in the list. But what about the other guy behind Indiana Jones? Doesn’t Steven Spielberg get any power franchise love? Of course he does, as his 1993 film Jurassic Park brought both dinosaurs and the lore of ILM to life and into the American mainstream. Even with 2 lukewarm sequels, Jurassic Park still stands tall as one of the crowning achievements of computer-aided graphics and it is to this day one of the most prominent blockbusters of all-time. And it was inspiration for a Weird Al Yankovic song. ‘Nuff said.

6. Pirates of the Caribbean

Unlike many of the franchises on this list that are based on epic comic books or great novels, the Pirates of the Caribbean films were based on a ride at Disneyland. While that may not have sounded like a good idea to most people back in 2002 before the release of the first film, leave it to the folks at Disney to show that they could market just about anything. It is a franchise that solidified Johnny Depp as a big star, brought back the Pirate as a popular Halloween costume and brought some flair back to Disney in general (because let’s admit it, they haven’t had a live-action franchise like this since The Mighty Ducks. And hanging your hat on Emilio Estevez is just no good.)

5. Batman

In my personal opinion, there is no bigger badass in the history of superheroes than the Dark Knight himself. Many people wouldn’t know that if their limited experience with the character consisted only of the cheesed up films directed by Joel Shumacher back in the late-1990s. It wasn’t so bad that he put nipples on the Bat-suit as it was that he put George Clooney in the Bat-suit. But thankfully the gods of cinema sent Batman fans a savior in Christopher Nolan, whose Batman Begins set a new standard for the entire franchise, giving the Caped Crusader some balls once again. And with a new movie just around the corner, fans not only have their savior, they have plenty of hope for the future.

4. The Lord of the Rings

What would a great “Epic Movie Franchise” list be without Peter Jackson’s mammoth Oscar-winning trilogy based on the equally as popular books by J.R.R Tolkien. The final installment of the series, The Return of the King won 11 Oscars and is ranked #9 on IMDB’s top 250 films of all-time list. And that is not to mention that the first two films didn’t do too bad, either. The journey of Frodo, Sam and a gaggle of others to save Middle Earth is one of the most well-documented cinematic adventures of all-time. And with rumors of a “Hobbit” spin-off running ramped, it doesn’t look like LOTR is done bringing in the bank just yet.

3. Harry Potter

Of all the great epic movie franchises, Harry Potter is definitely one of the youngest, but by no means the weakest. The first Harry Potter book by author J.K. Rowling was released circa 1998, with a major film adaptation coming in 2001. Since then the franchise has gathered one of the largest followings since Christianity with 4 films, 6 (soon to be 7) books and a web presence that is unprecedented. From fansites to podcasts to merchandising deals that would rival any major sports star, people go absolutely nuts for that awkward, pubescent little magician and his memorable friends. How long will the Potter lore last? J.K. Rowling could probably write books forever and people would buy them up, but the films have a shorter lease on life, as they won’t be too much fun when Daniel Radcliffe is 25 trying to play the part of a 17 year old…

2. James Bond

The star of one of the most abundant movie franchises, James Bond is also one of the most recognizable characters in all of film. The world loves his swagger, his sex appeal and his underlying badass nature. They even love to compare him to himself, with a rotation of actors constantly fueling the debate of who is the best bond? Some would say that Roger Moore had it down, others live and die by the Connery Bond and others still have been greatly impressed with Daniel Craig as the spy who shags often. But no matter who tops the list as your favorite Bond, we all know that there is no spy, no man of action who commands more attention than 007 himself.

1. Star Wars

With 6 films that have grossed almost $2 billion dollars at the box office and one of the most dedicated fan bases in all of pop culture, there is no question that Star Wars is the most powerful film franchise in history. Even despite a lackluster showing with the most recent 3 films, George Lucas is bombarded daily with questions about the future of the franchise. It is a franchise that has spawned countless spin-off projects, is the butt end of so many pop culture references and is constantly looked upon as the pinnacle of geekdom. Since the first film hit theaters on May 25, 1977 there has been no turning back; Star Wars is the king of all movie franchises, there is just no way around it.

Honorable Mentions:

The Matrix – In 1999 Larry and Andy Wachowski unleashed The Matrix, a film that would revolutionize the way Hollywood made action movies. It was the first film to show off bullet-time and one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles of the digital age. But while it did so much for action/fantasy film, it ran its course with 2 sequels, both received well by fans. Could they make another Matrix film? Sure. Would it be as good as the first time we experienced bullet-time on the big screen? Probably not.

Star Trek – Just so that I am not crucified by the geek nation for forgetting Star Trek, here it is. How could I forget it, you may ask? Simple: I don’t like Star Trek. To me, it pales in comparison to Star Wars (on the movie front) and has found more of an audience through various TV series. While it is a strong brand, none of the franchise’s films were able to break through to the mainstream as with Star Wars or LOTR. Plus this is my list. If you don’t like it, you can wait for the poll and make your voice heard.

Think you have a better list? Maybe you say that Rocky, Mission Impossible or Superman should have made this list? You are entitled to your opinion of course, but you need to take yours and stick it in the comment area below.

Don’t like my list? Tell me what you would pick in this week’s poll: You Decide: The Most Powerful Movie Franchise in History?

The List: The Middle East's Most Powerful Spooks

In a region known for cutthroat espionage, these five intelligence chiefs have leveraged their skills and connections to gain influence far above their pay grades.

BY PATRICK DEVENNY | JULY 20, 2009

OMAR SULEIMAN

Tara Todras-Whitehill-Pool/Getty Images

Position: Director of Egypt's General Intelligence Service

Career: The archetypical Arab intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman has risen from anonymous government apparatchik to serious candidate for the Egyptian presidency in less than a decade. Dubbed "one of the world's most powerful spy chiefs" by London's Daily Telegraph, Suleiman was born in 1935 in a poverty-stricken fundamentalist stronghold in southern Egypt. Choosing the military as his profession, he excelled academically, collecting degrees in Egypt and abroad and earning a transfer to military intelligence. His selection as director of Egypt's intelligence service in 1993 came just as the regime was reeling from extremist attacks against tourist sites and other critical infrastructure.

In 1995, he famously insisted that President Hosni Mubarak's armored Mercedes be flown to Ethiopia for a state visit; The car saved the Egyptian leader's life during an assassination attempt the next day. In response to the attack, Suleiman helped dismantle Mubarak's Islamist opponents, a campaign that earned him a reputation for ruthlessness. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Suleiman's experience with combating Islamist terrorists has made him a favorite of Western intelligence services hungry for insights into al Qaeda and affiliated organizations.

Influence: More than from any other single factor, Suleiman's influence stems from his unswerving loyalty to Mubarak. Of Suleiman's allegiance, a former senior Israeli intelligence officer told Haaretz, "His primary task, perhaps his only one, is to defend the regime and protect the life of the president." In a sign of presidential gratitude, Egypt's secret warrior has also recently served as its diplomatic face, traveling throughout the region as Mubarak's personal emissary. This charge includes working as a mediator during ongoing Israeli and Palestinian negotiations and as Cairo's interlocutor to dozens of Palestinian groups, including Hamas. Whether this unofficial promotion is a trial run for a Suleiman presidency remains to be seen.

MEIR DAGAN

Yaakov Saar/GPO/Getty Images

Position: Director of Israel's Mossad

Career: Meir Dagan's path to the leadership of Mossad was not a traditional one for an espionage chief who had spent most of his career in military operations, not intelligence. Born in the Soviet Union in 1945, Dagan served as a paratroop commander in the Six Day War, worked in special undercover units in the 1970s, and commanded an armored brigade in the 1982 Lebanon war. Highly decorated and wounded twice, Dagan benefited from his relationship with future Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. During Sharon's term in office, Dagan was steadily promoted through the national security ranks leading to his appointment as Mossad chief in 2002. Sharon reportedly informed his old friend that Israel required a spy service "with a knife between its teeth." Dagan, the veteran operator, seems to have obliged.

Influence: Dagan's sway was on full display in June when the Israeli cabinet met to consider extending his term to a near-record eight years. No vote was required as senior politicians including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raced to praise Dagan as "an excellent Mossad chief" who had done much to reform the service following a period of decay. Such unanimous acclaim is especially impressive at a time when Israel is relying heavily on its vaunted intelligence service to counter several threats, including that "existential" one from Iran. Dagan has clearly sought to bolster Mossad operations against Tehran with some apparent success; a parade of Israeli journalists has recently hinted at Mossad's clandestine campaign against the Iranian nuclear program.

Additionally, the assassination of Hezbollah security chief Imad Mugniyah -- widely credited to Mossad -- has only strengthened Dagan's hand. It was reportedly Dagan's intelligence and advice that coaxed Israeli political leaders to approve airstrikes against a possible Syrian nuclear facility in September 2007. Finally, Tel Aviv's reliance on Mossad-derived intelligence to guide its greater Iranian policy grants Dagan considerable influence over his country's foreign policy.

QASSEM SULEIMANI

longwarjournal.com

Position: Commander of the Quds Force, the external wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps

Career: Referred to as "the tip of Iran's spear" by American journalist David Ignatius, Brig. Gen. Qassem Suleimani was an unknown until he assumed command of the Quds Force, the unit responsible for supporting Iran's regional allies and proxies. A decorated veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, Suleimani attracted the attention of President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who appointed the young war hero to a command position within the Revolutionary Guard following the war. Since his promotion to Quds Force chief in 2000, Suleimani has been omnipresent, representing the interests of the Revolutionary Guards in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Central Asia.

U.S. commanders in Iraq have charged the Quds Force with passing an array of sophisticated weapons to Iraqi militia groups, leading to Suleimani's designation as a terrorist supporter by the U.S. State Department in 2007. In early 2008, he reportedly traveled to Basra, where he negotiated a cease-fire between militias and government forces, a testament to his influence within Iraq's Shiite power circles.

Influence: Suleimani's key role in overseeing Tehran's regional strategy and his relationship to the senior leadership make him a major player in shaping Iranian foreign policy. Former Western intelligence officials have suggested that Suleimani maintains a close connection to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with former U.S. counterterrorism czar Richard Clarke stating that the Quds Force "reports directly to the Supreme Ayatollah." Former CIA official Robert Grenier has echoed that sentiment, referring to Suleimani as "an extremely important and influential guy."

Although little is known about his political views, Suleimani's exploits indicate he is aligned with Iranian leaders who seek to aggressively counter any U.S. presence in the region. With Khamenei relying heavily on the Islamic Republic's security organs during the current political crisis, the fortunes of well-connected and capable regime stalwarts such as Suleimani can be expected to rise.

ASSEF SHAWKAT

RAMZI HAIDAR/AFP/Getty Images

Position: Former commander of Syria's military intelligence agency, current deputy chief of staff of the Syrian military

Career: Few paths to power have been as unlikely -- or as oddly romantic -- as Assef Shawkat's. Born in the coastal town of Tartus, Shawkat served in the Syrian military while pursuing a graduate degree in history, a subject for which he has a deep affinity. Shawkat moved easily within elite circles, socializing that paid off spectacularly when he captured the heart of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad's daughter, Bushra. His dogged pursuit of Bushra -- her father initially opposed the relationship -- earned him some measure of respect: "Anyone who could go into the home of Hafez Assad and take his daughter away without his permission has the power to do anything,'' a Syrian newscaster who had met Shawkat many times told the New York Times in 2005.

By the late 1990s, Shawkat had joined the inner sanctum, assuming command of military intelligence in February 2005 -- the same month former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri was assassinated. The initial findings of a U.N. commission cast suspicion on Shawkat, leading many observers to suggest that President Bashar al-Assad would hand his brother-in-law over for questioning or possible trial. In January 2006, the U.S. Treasury Department added to the avalanche of condemnation by freezing Shawkat's assets and dubbing him "a key architect of Syria's domination of Lebanon.

Influence: By 2008, having successfully avoided the calls for his extradition, Shawkat appeared poised to continue the consolidation of his power base. However, his ascension may have been stalled by the death of Hezbollah security chief Imad Mugniyah in February 2008. Killed in the heart of Damascus, Mugniyah's death was viewed as an embarrassing breach of security or even an indication of Syrian involvement. Tellingly, Shawkat was barred from participating in the joint Hezbollah-Syrian-Iranian investigation into Mugniyah's death. Additionally, just this month, Shawkat was "promoted" to deputy chief of staff of the Syrian military, a transfer that may signal a deterioration of the Assad-Shawkat relationship. However, given Shawkat's marriage to Bushra and his long-standing ties to senior members of the security apparatus, it is way too early to count him out of the Syrian power game.

PRINCE MUQRIN BIN ABDUL-AZIZ

AFP/Getty Images

Position: Director general of Saudi Arabia's General Intelligence Presidency (GIP)

Career: The youngest son of the Saudi kingdom's founder, Prince Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz lived in relative anonymity for the first 60 years of his life. Born in 1945 and educated in the West, Prince Muqrin served in the Royal Saudi Air Force and as governor of several Saudi provinces, including al-Madinah, whose capital is the holy city of Medina. In 2005, he was tapped by his half brother King Abdullah to head the GIP, a daunting task given his lack of intelligence experience and the long shadow of his predecessors, among them legendary chief Prince Turki bin Faisal.

Influence: Despite his inexperience, Muqrin's star has risen quickly in the past three years as he has become a versatile point man for King Abdullah. Muqrin's responsibilities include managing Riyadh's critical Pakistan and Afghanistan portfolio. He has been a regular visitor to Islamabad, maintaining the kingdom's relationships with a wide array of Pakistani political leaders. As for Afghanistan, Muqrin was dispatched to Kabul in January to meet leading officials, including President Hamid Karzai.

The prince might have had an ulterior motive: News reports suggest that the trip was part of Muqrin's overall campaign to bring Taliban leaders into talks with Kabul, suggesting that Muqrin is continuing his predecessor's policy of maintaining contact with Taliban leaders. A month later, Muqrin was sent to Damascus to personally deliver overtures to the Assad regime as part of the larger Arab campaign to reengage Syria. Involvement in critical Saudi foreign-policy efforts and his relative youth have positioned Muqrin well for greater responsibilities in the near future.

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Israeli-Palestinian War

Perang Israel-Palestina

Terjadi dari tahun 1948 saat Inggris yang merampas tanah Palestina dari Kesultanan Turki Ottoman memberikannya kepada kaum Yahudi dalam rangka membangun kembali “tanah air” sejak mereka terusir dari wilayah tersebut karena “membangkang” kepada Tuhan sejak ribuan tahun yang lalu. Negara-negara Timur Tengah dengan mayoritas penduduk muslim yang tidak menyetujui hal tersebut langsung mengangkat senjata melawan Israel dalam Perang Arab-Israel 1948. Namun perang ini berakhir dengan kemenangan Israel. Perang kemudian berlangsung kembali pada tahun 1967, dikenal juga dengan Perang Enam Hari. Perang ini disebabkan masih tidak relanya negara Arab menerima Israel.

Perang ini kembali dimenangkan Israel. Meski perang terbuka tidak ada lagi sesudahnya, namun konflik dengan intensitas rendah masih berlangsung hingga saat ini. Pada 13 September 1993 melalui kesepakatan Oslo, Palestina dan Israel sama-sama mengakui kedaulatan masing-masing. Namun faksi Hamas tidak menyetujui keputusan tersebut sehingga terus mendapatkan tekanan dari Israel hingga saat ini. Ratusan ribu orang tewas akibat konflik ini.