Quiet discussions appear to be under way between Kuwait and Iran on possible joint maneuvers between their armed forces. The issue surfaced in an interview given by Kuwaiti Defense Minister al-Sabah The interview, published in the Syrian paper Al-Sharqal-Awsat was picked up by Iran's IRNA News Agency, which implies Iranian confirmation.

A new oil pipeline is being built, connecting Tobruk with Alexandria. Designed to ship Libyan crude through Egyptian ports, the agreement indicates growing accommodation between the two previously estranged countries. Egypt, which has problems with Muslim fundamentalists supported by Libya and Libya, chafing under U.S.

Vladivostok has been experiencing regular electrical blackouts due to fuel shortages in the region. In some parts of the region, lights are out sixteen hours a day. The blackouts have even included elements of Russia's Pacific Fleet. Officials are speaking of a complete blackout should the fuel shortage not be relieved.

The President of Turkmenistan has just concluded a visit to Iran. The visit was intended to strengthen economic and political ties between the two countries. As ties deepen, the future of Transcaucasian pipeline enterprises becomes less certain.

The government's decision to triple bread prices in late July is likely to trigger unrest, according to Jordanian officials. In 1989, riots broke out after similar increases. There are concerns about potential Iranian involvement in such unrest.

A new anti-smuggling law has gone into effect in Cyprus, following the discovery of Soviet-era equipment that could be used in nuclear reactors. Cyprus has long been used as a smuggling center both for commercial and political purposes. The new law came as a result of pressure from the United States and Israel.

The installation of an Islamic government in Turkey has had an immediate and significant consequence: an agreement with Iraq on trade, agriculture and petroleum. A 90 member Turkish delegation traveled to Baghdad to sign the agreement. At the same time, the Turks have pressed their offensive against Kurds in southeastern Turkey.

Italy is becoming the key to the puzzle of NATO enlargement. Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini concluded a trip to Moscow, where the NATO enlargement issue was discussed, and where the Italians were ambiguous, saying that they opposed the isolation of Russia. At the same time, Dini invited Yeltsin to visit Italy.

Summary Israeli warplanes attacked a Syrian radar station in Lebanon April 16, killing three Syrian soldiers. The attack was in retaliation for the killing of an Israeli soldier by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon two days before.

The end of the Guatemalan civil war may be in sight. Guatemala's foreign minister is predicting a peace treaty within three months. If this comes to pass, it will have substantial impact on Mexican revolutionaries currently using rebel held territory in Guatemala as a sanctuary.