Russia quickly discovered that its threats against Ukraine were too costly to its reputation as a reliable supplier for Europe.

With regard to the concerns of our brothers in Lebanon, Kuwait continues to extend its full support for all their just demands. We call upon Israel to cease its continuing threats against Lebanon and to respect that country's sovereignty.

That is why there has been so little rebellion, or even remonstration, among media companies when authoritarian governments threaten journalists, editors, and publishers.

North Korea initially threatened to sever all ties, to completely abrogate the previous pact of non aggression, and to expel all South Koreans from a joint industrial zone in Kaesong, but backtracked on its threats and decided to continue its ties with South Korea.

What is most essential at this stage is that the United States provide light water reactors to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as soon as possible, as evidence that it is removing nuclear threats against us and recognizing our rights to engage in peaceful nuclear activities.

Obama s recent wavering on the use of force in Syria has left many in Asia doubting whether they can rely on America not only if China forcibly asserts its maritime claims, but also if North Korea carries out its threats to attack the South.

At the same time, Israel has stepped up its threats to the resistance and the Lebanese Government. In the early dawn hours on Thursday, 30 June 2005, Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets over Sidon and the southern suburbs near Beirut containing explicit threats to the Lebanese people and Government.