At church on Sunday, I observed the minute's silence to remember the fallen in war, just like so many times before. This year it occurred to me that just remembering is not enough.

It is completely right to remember our fellow human beings who have been killed in battle. It is completely right to remember the recent casualties among our armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is also completely right to remember that these two wars were started, not for the defence of the realm, but for the financial gain of the few.

Many on all sides of debates about Iraq, Afghanistan and even Kosovo, thought that those of us who focused on questions of international law and the status and credibility of the UN had missed the real point and were engaging in a diversion.

But events are unfolding that show that the world has become a far more dangerous place.  Why?  Because unilateral intervention has become the modus operandi of those parts of the international community with hegemony, and therefore the mark of a real world power is one that can ignore the processes of international government and law.

Today's Independent highlights the plight of Sayed Pervez Kambaksh who has been accused of blasphemy after he downloaded a report from a Farsi website which stated that Muslim fundamentalists who claimed the Koran justified the oppression of women had misrepresented the views of the prophet Mohamed. It appears that Mr Kambaksh then lobbied his fellow students and his lecturers in an attempt to provoke a debate on the matter. However a complaint was made against him and he was then arrested, tried by religious judges without being allowed legal representation and sentenced to death.

To help try and save Mr Kambaksh from execution please add your name to the Independent's e-petition by clicking here.

Defence & Foreign Policy After Blair
A conference for Labour Party members and activists.
Organised by Labour Against the War in conjunction with Labour CND and Labour Action for Peace

The Prime Minister promises "Whatever you want". But what will they get...Your suggesions please.

Des Brown has acquired 100  cougar vehicles to supplement the Land Rovers deployed in Afghanistan. Here are some thoughts on their deployment.

The neo-conservatives in the States are already worried about the loss of Tony Blair and its impact on President George W Bush's war on terrorism.