New research published in the March issue of Psychological Science may help elucidate the relationship between religious indoctrination and violence, a topic that has gained renewed notoriety in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. In the article, University of Michigan psychologist Brad Bushman and his colleagues suggest that scriptural violence sanctioned by God can increase aggression, especially in believers.

Mexico's President Felipe Calderon is sending more than 3,000 troops to two states on the U.S. border, across from the U.S. state of Texas. The military deployment is part of the anti-organized crime effort he began shortly after taking office on December 1 of last year.

Although the gender gap among victims of homicide and robbery has remained relatively stable over the last 30 years, the gap has closed significantly for aggravated and simple assault because male rates of victimization have declined faster than female rates.

2006 was a bad year in Australia's South Pacific neighborhood, with violence and instability in several small nations. Australia sent troops and police officers to trouble spots around the region, but defense analysts are warning that Canberra's efforts to promote stability are being overwhelmed by events. Phil Mercer reports from Sydney.

British troops have killed seven gunmen and demolished an Iraqi police station in the southern city of Basra to stop rogue officers from using the site to commit crimes.