Background
The Post Cold War period has seen many changes around the globe.  The lack of two superpowers has increased the pressure on the United States to act as a world police force as violent hot spots crop up around the world.  Rogue nations, such as North Korea and Iraq continue to pursue goals contrary to world opinion.  Also, the rise of terrorism, especially on an individual level, is on the increase.

Post Cold War Hot Spots
Middle East:  Tensions have continued to escalate in the Israeli - Palestinian conflict.  Violence is a near daily occurrence as neither side is able to reach peaceful coexistence.  This conflict also continues to spill over into nearby Lebanon, which has experienced near 30 years of bloodshed.  Another problem area is Iraq, which continues to harass its neighbors and pose a potential threat to stability in the Middle East.  The United States, Great Britain and others have maintained military forces in the region since the end of the Gulf War in 1991.

North Korea: North Korea remains a one party communist dictatorship.  Even though they have faced economic hardships, North Korea has spent large sums of money building up its military which is rumored to posses nuclear weapons.  The North Korean government maintains its hope of uniting the two Koreas one day.  This poses a threat to the nations of the west who are allied with South Korea, namely, the United States.

India & Pakistan: India and Pakistan continue to be hostile toward each other.  Issues range from religious differences, to the subject of Kashmir, a region divided between the two in 1949.  Adding to this conflict is the threat of nuclear war, as both countries have tested such weapons.  This has become a global concern as a result.

China: China remains a one party communist dictatorship, whose record on human rights has brought them world attention.  China wishes to grow economically closer to the more prosperous West, but refuses to end the human rights abuses that prevent this from happening.  Another trouble area with China concerns Taiwan, which the Communist Chinese consider to be a rebellious Chinese state.  Taiwan maintains its independence, and because of support from western nations has managed to remain free.

Terrorism
Terrorism is the deliberate use of unpredictable violence, especially against civilians, to gain revenge or achieve political goals. Terrorism is usually used by groups or individuals that do not have a military of their own.  Terrorist activities include bombings, kidnappings, assassinations, and hijackings.  Areas where terrorism has seen widespread use are Northern Ireland, the Middle East, and any area with American citizens, who have become the target of individually funded terrorist activities, such as those begun by Osama bin Laden.  Efforts to stop terrorism have seen limited success due to the random nature of its activities.