From Our Own Correspondent

This week: Barbara Plett reports on the uneasy "war on terror" alliance between Pakistan and the US. Mexican authorities have allowed digging to begin in search of bodies of those who disappeared during the country's "dirty war" in the 1960s and 70s, Duncan Kennedy reports. Emma Jane Kirby visits the French village of Maille, where over 100 civilians were massacred during the occupation in World War II. Alex Last talks to a man who remembers the early days of Nigeria's oil industry which 50 years later has become a major exporter. And Humphrey Hawksley has been investigating the cannabis industry in Canada.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: nnIsrael's war of words with Iran will most likely remain exactly that, according to diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.nnMatt Frei in Washington sees no immediate prospect of dialogue between Iran and its main critic, the USA, over Tehran's nuclear programme.nnTim Whewell in Lithuania reports on a controversial investigation into the wartime activities of Jewish partisans. nnFrom Srinagar in Indian Kashmir, Chris Morris says recent violent protests came as tourists had just begun to return to the state.nnAnd Duncan Bartlett on a remote Norwegian island finds out why it is forbidden to die in the Arctic.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: Barbara Plett reports that the hopeful mood which followed Pakistan's general elections in February has now evaporated. nIn Sri Lanka, Matthew Gwyther meets the country's "man of the moment", a former Tamil Tiger who is now a government minister.nMartin Plaut explains how the issue of Zimbabwe dominated the African Union summit.nIn Argentina, Daniel Schweimler says the tradition of democracy through popular protest is alive and also very noisy.nAnd Hamilton Wende travels through Mali to visit the ancient city of Timbuktu.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: nnNick Thorpe in Bosnia says Western intelligence agencies have a good idea where Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic - wanted for alleged war crimes - are hiding. nnPeter Biles reports on developments in Zimbabwe's second round of presidential elections. nnIn Beijing, Jill McGivering meets some of the people hardest hit by China's struggling health service. nnAlistair Lawson journeys through India's remote West Garo hills, which many believe are home to the legendary yeti. nnAnd, after Russia's relative success in Euro 2008, James Rodgers reports on the country's new sense of national identity and pride.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: Allan Little considers the fears and grievances that could resurface in a post-Mugabe Zimbabwe.nIn Afghanistan, Martin Patience says that, although people there are used to war, they still hope for a more peaceful and stable future.nRichard Black considers our relationship with whales and how we measure the value of nature.nIn Lebanon, Alex Klaushofer reports on demands that live-in servants should be given more protection under the law.nAnd Amir Amirani describes the popularity of one of Iran's national sporting heroes.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: nFrom southern Afghanistan, Kate Clark looks at the effects of new restrictions on poppy cultivation. nIn Indonesia, Andrew Harding reports on concern that the 2002 Bali bombers are communicating with the outside world from their cells on death row. nDaniel Griffiths, in southern China, meets some of the people affected by recent floods. nJonny Hogg explores the problem of 'cattle rustling' in Madagascar. nAnd should the UN award UNESCO humanity heritage status to French cuisine? We ask Paris correspondent Emma-Jane Kirby.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: nHumphrey Hawksley says Bosnia's transition from the genocide of the 1990s to a modern European nation could be a blueprint for other states.nIn Saudi Arabia, Crispin Thorold explores the country's mix of Western influence alongside the forces of conservatism.nnHugh O'Shaughnessy explains why voters in Paraguay have turned their backs on a political party that was unchallenged for decades.nIn Mali, Alexa Dvorson finds a town where everything seems to happen at once but at a very relaxed pace. nAnd Martin Redfern reports on he BBC programme with the smallest audience, bringing greetings for the 45 scientists and support staff of the British Antarctic Survey.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: Ian Pannell comes face-to-face with one of the most feared supporters of President Robert Mugabe. Paul Martin meets the people who risk their lives to smuggle goods, petrol and guns through a network of tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Hugh Sykes reflects on a conversation with a Lebanese taxi driver on the long road from Beirut to Jerusalem. Mark Mardell reports on the Irish referendum on the EU Lisbon treaty. And Kevin Connolly says that American TV advertising plays on the doubts and fears of the viewer.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: Duncan Kennedy in Mexico reports on the battle between the authorities and the country's drug cartels. nnAs Africa faces a huge increase in cancer cases, Claudia Hammond goes to a clinic in Ghana that is trying to head off the epidemic.nnJohn James explores the grand landmarks of Ivory Coast's capital city. nnIn Argentina, Daniel Schweimler visits the monument to the many thousands tortured and killed by the military government in the 70s and 80s. nnAnd Mark Dummett watches a game of blind cricket in Bangladesh.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week:nFrank Gardner discovers how the Colombian authorities are trying to lose the country's reputation as 'kidnap centre of the world'.nIn the United States, Justin Webb considers the possibility of its first black president and why the race issue may have been Hillary Clinton's downfall.nOana Lungescu reports from Bulgaria's murky underworld on efforts to crackdown on corruption and the EU money hanging in the balance.nOn a very different trip around Los Angeles, David Willis easily gets his hands on a prescription for marijuana.nAnd Jonathan Fryer hears a dying tradition in a Brazilian city, where the cries of street traders are noisier than ever.

David Loyn has been following the debates at the United Nations food summit in Rome.nIn Ethiopia, Elizabeth Blunt meets some of the families affected by the country's food shortages.nAdam Easton in Poland reports on the workers returning there from the UK.nIn India, Chris Morris says the authorities in Delhi are struggling to cope with the increased number of cars in the city. nAnd Petroc Trelawny describes how China has fallen in love with the piano.

In Nepal, Charles Haviland watches the unfolding of the quiet revolution that saw the end of the monarchy. nnCaroline Wyatt returns to Baghdad after 10 years and explores the psychological effect of years of violence and unrest.nnIn East Timor, Lucy Williamson hears allegations of human rights abuses by the army.nnAleem Maqbool finds life can vary greatly between different towns within the Palestinian terrorities.nnAnd Huw Cordey finds out why the South Pacific island of Vanuatu was voted the happiest place in the world.

Olenka Frenkiel learns of the hardships borne by North Koreans who escape across the border into China.nnIn Ivory Coast, Adam Mynott investigates allegations of child sex abuse against some UN peacekeepers and aid workers.nnStephen Evans sees how the global credit crunch is affecting the once remote economy of Iceland.nnIn Algeria, James Copnall meets some of the refugees of war in neighbouring Morocco.nnAnd Chris Morris in India reflects on the country's new obsession: Twenty20 cricket.

Caroline Wyatt in Iraq says British troops have returned to Basra to help mentor the Iraqi army as it retakes the city street by street. In Burma, Laura Trevelyan is travelling with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In Pakistan, the army shows Barbara Plett how it has secured control of traditionally lawless land. Rachel Wright gets a glimpse inside a community in South India that promises the ideal society. And Imogen Foulkes says visitors to Euro 2008 in Switzerland will be struck by the country's obsession with punctuality.

Caroline Wyatt in Iraq says British troops have returned to Basra to help mentor the Iraqi army as it retakes the city street by street.nIn Burma, Laura Trevelyan is travelling with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. nIn Pakistan, the army shows Barbara Plett how it has secured control of traditionally lawless land.nRachel Wright gets a glimpse inside a community in South India that promises the ideal society.nAnd Imogen Foulkes says visitors to Euro 2008 in Switzerland will be struck by the country's obsession with punctuality.

BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the world's headlines. Introduced by Kate Adie.

Natalia Antelava counts the rising cost of the Burmese government’s failure to help its people in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.nFrom Georgia, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes believes war with Russia was narrowly averted this month, as the row over two breakaway regions continues. nIn Kosovo, Nick Thorpe is retold the turbulent history of the Balkans through the experiences of its master bakers.nEmilio San Pedro travels from coast to coast and reflects on the contribution 43 million Latino people make to the USA.nAnd Daniel Griffiths travels to China's Sichuan province where rescue workers strive to free children from collapsed school buildings.

Jim Muir reports that recent fighting in Lebanon has raised fears the country may be plunged back into civil war.nIn Sudan, Julie Flint discovers that a return to war is also a concern for the people of the Nuba Mountain region. nFollowing the Serbian elections, Mark Mardell finds the country is debating whether to engage with the East or West in future.nKatya Adler says Palestinians are marking the 60th anniversary of what they call the Catastrophe, the day the state of Israel was established. nAnd we have a report from the "bottom of the world" as Daniel Schweimler travels to the southern tip of South America.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: Nick Thorpe reports from Serbia as the country prepares to vote in this weekend's elections. nIn Zimbabwe, Orla Guerin meets opponents of President Mugabe who fear renewed violence. nPaul Adams discovers that some Israelis feel their country is experiencing a crisis of confidence. nIn Spain's Basque country, Nick Rankin finds himself on the fringes of a story involving piracy. nAnd Mark Doyle fulfils a lifelong dream to travel along the River Congo.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: nnAndrew Harding describes how he was deported from Burma while reporting on the cyclone disaster.nFrom Israel, Katya Adler finds a sense of unease underlying the nation's 60th anniversary celebrations.nRupert Wingfield Hayes examines how the Chinese authorities are handling preparations for the Olympic Games.nOn a trip to his native Iran after three decades, Amir Amirani hears how an old friend has fared over the years. nAnd Matthew Price reports that US air passengers are being warned to expect a summer of delays, cancelled flights and rising costs.

Mark Urban reports from the Afghan capital Kabul on his narrow escape from a suicide bombing.nIn Saudi Arabia, James Robbins finds a surprising experiment in justice for the young men prepared to kill in the name of Islam.nNick Squires examines China's attempts to get a piece of the action in the South Pacific.nFrom Dublin, James Helm reflects on the contrast between outgoing Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his successor.nAnd Rachel Wright goes to a rural wedding in India that confounds her expectations.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Martin Plaut investigates the United Nations peacekeeping operation and Mike Thomson reports on the fighting in the country. James Rodgers returns from a trip to Russia's North Caucasus region with a human rights delegation from the Council of Europe. In the farmlands of India's Punjab, David Loyn examines the issue of feeding the world's poorest nations. And there are tough times ahead for Turkey's pork butchers now the country is governed by devout Muslims.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: Jeremy Bowen considers his recent visit to Gaza, where the sewage system is desperate need of repair. In Morocco, James Copnall meets an activist who has just received a royal pardon after being jailed by three kings. Former Sorbonne student John Pickford compares a recent student protest in Paris with the momentous student riots in the city 40 years ago. In Washington, Justin Webb reflects on the US' gun culture in the week the nation remembered the Virginia Tech shootings. Meanwhile in Kenya, Natasha Breed tells how the drop in tourists because of the country’s political turmoil has provided the best opportunity to view the nation’s wild animals.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: Richard Downes reflects on his recent visit to Zimbabwe where many people are desperate for change. In Somalia, Mark Doyle discovers one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Misha Glenny in Bulgaria examines the strategic and political reasons for the country's recent crime wave. In Turkey, Sarah Rainsford meets some of the people willing to risk prosecution to defend the right to free speech. And Kevin Connolly in the USA finds that a game of baseball reminds him of home.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: Paul Adams reflects on the Nato summit in Bucharest, where Russia’s President Putin was keen to sign autographs, but anxious to halt the alliance’s eastward expansion. Quentin Sommerville explains why trouble in Tibet and Beijing's suppression of dissent have soured China's Olympic party mood. Daniel Schweimler reports from Argentina, where a revolt by the country’s farmers has plunged the country into crisis. Jonny Hogg recounts how the ousting of Colonel Mohamed Bacar from his post as president of one of the Comoros islands turned into a diplomatic crisis when he escaped, apparently with French assistance. And in Delhi, Peter Day finds that India's traditional bazaars and their sensory assault course are here to stay, despite an invasion by huge superstores

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: James Miles of The Economist describes what it was like in Lhasa, Tibet, when the rioting broke out. nIn Afghanistan, Frank Gardner meets the Arab troops using their Islamic credentials to win the trust of the Afghan population.nMike Sergeant reports from Lebanon on the political deadlock gripping the country.nIn South Africa, Martin Plaut finds that recent euphoria about the nation's future has evaporated. nAnd Nick Haslam goes to a wedding in Taiwan that is not quite what it seems.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: Humphrey Hawksley examines Taiwan's economic success and finds out whether it fears a war with China. Washington Correspondent Kevin Connolly reflects on the progress of the presidential primaries. Amber Henshaw visits a refugee camp and finds peacekeepers are struggling to cope with the recent upsurge in violence in West Darfur. Tim Franks visits a Kibbutz close the Gaza strip, where he finds hope for peace between Israelis and the Palestinians, and in south eastern Bangladesh Mark Dummett finds out how villagers are coping with a plague of rats.

Despatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents. This week: In Gaza, Aleem Maqbool asks whether international pressure aimed at weakening Hamas will actually have the opposite effect. Former Tehran correspondent Frances Harrison, considers how political reformists are now almost without influence in Iran. Roger Hardy reports from Stockholm as experts debate how to fight global insurgency. Vivian White reflects on his journey across the US to meet prisoners on death row. And Nick Squires examines how the tiny Pacific island of Nauru squandered its vast fortune.

As Baghdad experiences ongoing power shortages, Hugh Sykes hears claims this is a legacy of US planning for post-Saddam Iraq.nIn Delhi, Chris Morris meets a wife hoping her husband is alive in Pakistan more than 36 years after his capture.nJames Ingham reports from Caracas on the tensions in South America caused by Colombia’s pursuit of Marxist rebels into Ecuador.nJonathan Fryer discovers how what used to be one of the most traditional corners of Dubai is launching itself into the 21st Century,nand Hamilton Wende looks at how Kenyans are surviving amid the political chaos that has rocked their country.

In Baghdad, Jim Muir reflects on the significance of Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Iraq. Matthew Collin reports on the state of emergency which continues in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, after violence between riot police and opposition supporters left eight people dead. Former Moscow correspondent Allan Little considers Vladimir Putin's legacy on Russia. Jonny Hogg investigates how people are coping after Cyclone Ivan struck the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar and in Kenya, Jonathan Barker reflects on how the country's post-election turmoil is having repercussions for the education of girls in the north of the country.