But as the months progressed, he seemed to be under pressure from the more extremist elements who wanted to adopt a far more belligerent and aggressive rhetoric - to take over the rest of the country, to impose Sharia law, a very conservative reading of the Koran.

NPR: Leading Member of Islamic Courts Held in Kenya

We have seen this kind of posturing from those African leaders who profess to holding degrees in violence, and the belligerent nature of Mr Mutharika's comments was noted by the diplomatic circles in his country with disastrous consequences.

BBC: African viewpoint: Is Malawi reverting to dictatorship?

The Democratic Party of Japan is the country's first ruling party whose leaders are not linked to Japan's belligerent past.

ECONOMIST: Digging up Japan's past: Deafening silence | The

The belligerent rhetoric pumped out by North Korea has subsided a little in recent days, as the country commemorates the 101st birthday anniversary of founding leader Kim Il Sung.

NPR: Analysis: US Offers Talks But Not On NKorean Terms

Thanks to our perceived decline, China has become more belligerent with its neighbors, one reason that Japan has elected a new prime minister who wants the country to rearm on a scale not seen since World War II.

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