The attacks throw a region sundered by conflict into still deeper chaos as a volatile mix of rebels, government forces and ethnic militias jockey to control a vast and unforgiving stretch of semidesert that straddles the two troubled countries.

At the same time, when options are considered, political parties and the media are interested in knowing whether boots on the ground is an option put on the table.

She watched as he thrummed the guitar strings absently.

an ancient name that is attested epigraphically