IT GETS HARDER AND HARDER TO NOT JUSTIFY INTERVENTION:

Growing security gives Haitians a sense of hope (ANDRES OPPENHEIMER, 12/20/07, miamiherald.com)

Few are willing to declare victory over the wave of abductions that almost paralyzed this country in recent years, but a sharp decline in kidnappings coupled with a budding sense of political stability have brought back a measure of hope -- at least in business and political circles.

''We have a window of opportunity,'' says Rudolph Henry Boulos, a member of the Haitian Senate. ``There is political stability and more security. With that, we can focus on building economic stability.''

Much of the credit for the growing sense of normalcy goes to the 9,800-member, Brazil-led United Nations peacekeeping force that arrived after the 2004 revolt that prompted then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's departure.

Iraq's Sunnis celebrate holiday with a renewed vigor: They venture out to mark Eid al-Adha in Baghdad and other cities that are experiencing a relative calm. (Alexandra Zavis and Said Rifai, December 20, 2007, Los Angeles Times)

Thousands of Sunni Muslim faithful bowed their heads at dawn Wednesday in mosques around Baghdad for the first prayers of the Eid al-Adha holiday -- a time of renewed hope after months of reduced bloodshed, yet tinged with sadness for those not there to share it.

It was the largest turnout in years at Abu Hanifa, Baghdad's largest Sunni mosque, where worshipers spilled into the yard and the streets outside. After the service, long lines formed to buy slices of pastry eaten with syrup and cream, a traditional holiday breakfast.

Relatives long separated by the killing that raged in Baghdad's bloodied streets were reunited again.

"I visited family and friends all over Baghdad," marveled Sabah Abdul-Wahab, a young chef, who spent last year's four-day holiday confined with his parents and siblings in the upmarket Karada district. "I also went to Zawra Park, and the place was filled with families having picnics and just relishing the newfound security."

Later, goats, sheep and cows were slaughtered for family feasts commemorating the prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for God. One proud man was spotted posing for a snapshot with his arm around the neck of a cow before dispensing with the beast.

U.S. commanders say violence across Iraq is at its lowest level since the first year after the 2003 American-led invasion.

For all the nattering about distinctive local cultures and customs, add in Liberia and W's led successful liberalizing crusades on three continents.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 20, 2007 9:12 AM