From that moment on, the Japanese government decided that the only remaining option was to sue for peace and accept the allied terms of unconditional surrender.

ECONOMIST: Japanese history

They now have a breathing space of seven days in which to sue for peace before the next phase of the battle is due to start.

BBC: Scent of possible compromise

The media have been full of reports that the generals are seething because the Kremlin may be about to succumb to western blandishments and sue for peace.

ECONOMIST: Russia and its generals: Who��s in charge? | The

Its silence reflects fears either that it, too, might be swept away by an Islamist coup, or that Palestinian infighting will diminish Israel's incentive to sue for peace with Syria.

ECONOMIST: Reactions in the region

That is, to persuade Mr Milosevic to sue for peace on terms acceptable to the West: a withdrawal of troops from Kosovo, an internationally policed return of refugees, and self-rule for the province.

ECONOMIST: No end in sight

NATO's doves have been persuaded to renew their support for the air campaign, that must in part reflect their cautious hope that Serbia can be persuaded, with Russian help, to sue for peace on acceptable terms in the next few weeks.

ECONOMIST: NATO piles it on

But nor, it appeared, have Serb forces been reduced to the ruined shell that would force Mr Milosevic to sue for a humiliating peace.

ECONOMIST: Breakthrough in Kosovo?