I've got to tell you all about two new Spero Group websites that I think are pretty interesting.

The first site is The Daily Estimate http://www.dailyestimate.com. This site is dedicated to analysis and commentary. In other words, a deeper look at what's behind the news headlines.

The second site is Intel Beat http://www.intelbeat.com/, which is a news aggregator that draws on blogs and alternative news sites.

Here are just a few examples of what you will find right now on The Daily Estimate

Polar expedition 'little' territorial claim effect
Russian explorers have successfully dived to the bottom of the Arctic Ocean and planted a Russian flag directly under the North Pole.

Israel mulls open nuke program
Israeli officials leak information on high-level government discussions on the establishment of a nuclear energy program, and Security Watch sounds out Israeli analysts on the implications.
by Dr Dominic Moran

Terminator technologies
Experts study how to encode ethics for a new breed of robot warriors with a 'conscience.'
by ISA

Weapons of mass consequence
The huge US military deal with Arab states and Israel will benefit domestic friends and overseas adversaries.
by Paul Rogers

US: Black Muslims' bakery raided, reporter killed
An article written on the Nation of Islam receives a bizarre response and which can give readers a measure of the mindset of some of those associated with the 'Black Muslims'.
by Adrian Morgan

The new Sanctuary Movement
Echoing the 80s sanctuary movement, the new movement blends leftist politics with concern for new immigrants. Christians from Sojourners, Faith in Public Life, and Mexican American Cultural Center are involved.
by Stephanie Block

Kazakhstan officials adopt low-key language policy
It has been 10 years since Kazakhstan adopted a law that enshrined Kazakh as the state language, and required all citizens to learn it.
by Joanna Lillis

The Venezuelan powder keg
Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez is sending confused signals as to his intent, as he moves to cement his control over the military through large-scale military deals and the arming of a people's militia.
by ISA

Turkey ready for Kurdish tug-of-war
As the new Turkish parliament gets ready to convene on Saturday, rising tensions about Kurdish activities in northern Iraq will be high on the agenda as 22 members of the pro-Kurdish DTP sit around the table
by Yigal Schleifer

Will 'Europe' survive the 21st Century?
European integration fulfilled a very old dream. The Holy Roman Emperors, as putative leaders of Western Christendom in the medieval centuries, dreamed of restoring a unity unknown since the fall of ancient Rome.
by Walter A. McDougall

US: Vulnerability and redemption
As the US prepares for 2008 elections, the public must ask itself if any of the candidates are capable of fostering comity and a coherent foreign policy
by ISA

Indo-Israeli military ties enter next stage
A US$2.5 billion Indo-Israeli defense project marks a new phase in the two countries' relations.
by P R Kumaraswamy

Arms sales to Taiwan: A means to what end?
On 15 June 2007, Taiwan's legislature finally allocated funds to purchase part of a US arms package.
by Sam Black

Can traditional rituals bring justice to N Uganda?
Local justice offers an alternative to formal trials, but applying unwritten tribal codes may not be enough to bring closure to Uganda's brutal conflict.
by Julius Ocen

Chile seeks energy independence
As Chile seeks energy independence, an isolationist foreign policy may follow.
by ISA

Sri Lanka: Bloody mindsets
The decades-old civil war moves to the north and peace seems out of the question.
by ISA

Israel land bill racist?
With racial tensions building, the passage of a controversial land bill through Israel's Knesset is raising serious concerns for the future of inter-communal relations and the real crisis of Israeli democracy.
by ISA

Pakistan: Islamism - In the line of fire
This year has been one of tumult and challenge for the administration of President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan.
by Adrian Morgan

Ingushetia: Violence, leadership cracks
Since a career FSB general took over as president, he has appointed his relatives and allies to prominent positions as the economy nosedives and corruption sky-rockets.

And don't forget to check out Intel Beat!