Explains an innovative research project called ¿Sustainable Technologies, Accelerated Research-Transformative Innovation for Develop. and Emergency Support,¿ better known as STAR-TIDES. It is an internat., networked, knowledge-sharing effort that encourages innovative approaches to public-private collaboration, whole-of-gov¿t. solutions, and transnat. engagement. Its goals are to enhance the ability of civilian coalitions to operate in stressed environ., extend the military¿s ability to work with civilians in such situations, and identify cost-effective logistic solutions. Contributions to real-world crises are: developing infrastructure solutions in 6 areas: shelter, water, power, integrated cooking, heating/lighting/cooling, and info./commun. technol. Illustrations.

The focus on the war in Afghanistan has prevented the United States from developing a South Asia strategy rooted in the relative strategic importance of the nations in the region. India, a stable democracy enjoying rapid growth, clearly has the most potential as a strategic partner. Pakistan, as the home of al Qaeda leadership and over 60 nuclear weapons, is the greatest threat to regional stability and growth. Yet Afghanistan absorbs the vast majority of U.S. effort in the region. The United States needs to develop a genuine regional strategy. This paper argues that making the economic growth and social reform essential to the stability of Pakistan a higher priority than the conflict in Afghanistan is a core requirement of such a strategy.

Birds that walk underwater. Slugs that mate while suspended in midair. Frogs who star on Hollywood soundtracks. The Pacific Northwest abounds in natural wonders, and here are field guides as interesting as the world they describe. Filled with both amazing and amusing true-life tales about Northwest plants and animals, this new series of uncommon field guides will appeal to the casual observer and the avid naturalist alike. Each of these illustrated books describes more than sixty plants, animals, and natural phenomena of a particular Northwest habitat. Author Patricia Lichen combines standard field guide information about habitat, appearance, and range with delightful and engaging descriptions of the little-known facts, surprising details, and amusing -- even bizarre -- tidbits rarely found in ordinary field guides. Discover how amazing the Northwest natural world really is with these uncommon field guides.