Political tensions are again on the rise in Thailand as the date for a court verdict concerning former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra nears.  Rumors of a military coup continue to sweep the country, despite denials by senior commanders. Several gatherings of military leaders in recent days have added to political tensions in Thailand. Political analysts here say the army appears concerned about possible violence ahead of a court verdict involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Over recent days, Bangkok news media have been flooded with speculation of a possible coup.

Guinea's acting military leader is calling on soldiers to support the country's new transitional government which is meant to organize elections in June. After more than one year of military rule in Guinea, General Sekouba Konate says it is time the army return to its proper function and support civilians working toward new elections. General Konate says the army's mission is to defend the territorial integrity of the nation, to safeguard democracy, and to protect the people. General Konate took power in December when military leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara was shot by the former

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich faces current Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in a presidential runoff February 7.  Mr. Yanukovich, who lost the last presidential elections in 2004, but is now seen as the front-runner. He is the leader of the powerful "Party of Regions" in the Ukrainian parliament. University of Toronto Ukrainian expert Frank Sysyn says the party is composed of various business interests in the south and east of Ukraine.

ANSF forces reacted quickly to contain an insurgent attack on the Afghan National Army's Sharwali Barracks, located on the western edge of Lashkar Gah this morning and are currently in the process of providing additional troops. According to initial reports, the small arms fire attack was primarily from an unoccupied four story building to the south of the barracks.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group launched its first sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Jan. 28 and also assumed duties as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 50. Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 departed the decks of the strike group's flagship, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) bound for the skies over Afghanistan to support coalition ground forces. "We are the first strike group to deploy in this historic year," said Capt. Roy J. Kelley, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7.