Even in Afghanistan, where the armed conflict has ended.

FORBES: Up From The Rubble

It attributes much of this uncertainty to geopolitical risks: the prospect of armed conflict with Iraq, for example, is not going to enthuse even businesspeople who relish risk.

ECONOMIST: On the offensive

But even in Kuwait, the foreign minister has expressed hopes that the stand-off will not escalate into armed conflict.

ECONOMIST: Let��s be diplomatic, say the neighbours

Nor, of course, can UNESCO have anything except moral influence on armed groups, even though it is the guardian of a convention which mandates respect for cultural property during conflict.

ECONOMIST: UNESCO is better at naming enemies than finding friends