Examining news footage and photographs, most of the new purchased Serbian AK-47s seem to be in the hands of inexperienced, even child, 'soldiers'. They carry little in the way of web gear or spare magazines, don't aim or even hold their weapons with much familiarity. Those carrying RPG-7s seem to have universally discarded the PSO-1 optical sight (which can seem complicated for even trained troops) and rely on the iron sights, thereby reducing the weapons' effective range.

However, there are some fighters - generally older - that are displaying all the indicators of good fire discipline. Some of them can even be seen guarding President Taylor and his defense minister. - Adam Geibel

Nigerian troops are expected to arrive on July 30th. The US is trying to prepare the way by having their ambassador to Liberia persuade the LURD to withdraw from the capital and allow aid groups to resume feeding refugees. LURD says that every time they pull back and stop fighting, government troops take advantage and advance. A major problem is that many of the troops are not well led or disciplined. Commanders have to use beatings and summary execution to impose discipline. But commanders have to be careful, as too many unhappy troops result in a murdered commander. 

American marines will be offshore this week, but are not expected to go ashore. The primary peacekeeping problem is that most of the fighters are unpaid amateurs who expect to be paid eventually. If they can't loot, they expect some other consideration (a job or goods.) The problem is that there is not much left to steal in Liberia, and wealthier nations like the US are expected to come through with an aid package that will buy peace long enough for the local economy to get going again. That, however, is not a long term solution as long as tribal animosities continue to create corrupt officials who prevent the establishment of stable government and economic growth. While many Liberians are thoroughly tired of years of fighting, joining one of the government or rebel militias is one of the few ways to get employment. Peacekeepers can intimidate many of the government and rebel troops to back off, and even disarm some of them. But many will simply go off and become bandits.

To the east of the capital, MODEL rebels are fighting their way into the nation's second largest port, Buchanan. This city is full of refugees from the capital, many looking to find a ship that will take them away from the fighting.