This press release is from a web site I follow by the name of Jane's:  I strongly recommend their services to any journalists serious about reporting on terrorism and defence issues:

BRACKNELL, ENGLAND (26 March, 2008) -- Jane’s, an IHS company
(NYSE:IHS) has launched a new online service that assesses the
stability of every country, territory and political entity around the
world. Jane’s Country Risk Ratings uses multiple weighted factors
affecting country stability in distinct categories: political, social,
economic, external and military and security.

“Today’s global climate of insecurity and terrorism requires an
in-depth, independent analysis of stability around the world,” said
Christian Le Mière, Managing Editor of Jane’s Country Risk. “These
ratings assess stability and allow comparisons on an entity-by-entity
or regional basis, which is valuable for business and defense
organizations’ decision making.”

The inaugural Jane’s Country Risk Ratings, published this month,
list the 10 least stable entities, with number one being the least
stable, as:


1. Gaza and West Bank

2. Somalia

3. Afghanistan

4. Sudan

5. Cote d’Ivoire

6. Haiti

7. Zimbabwe

8. Chad

9. Democratic Republic of Congo

10. Central African Republic

The Gaza Strip and West Bank—divided between two rival governments
for more than a year—ranks as the most unstable entity in the world. A
lack of control over its borders, frequent incursions of its territory
by Israel, low levels of law and order, poor domestic security and
worsening public health combine to place it in the top spot.

Iraq is not among the ten most unstable countries. It ranks 22nd
from the least stable entity. Although it suffers from high levels of
daily, non-state organised violence, the country’s rating is bolstered
by other elements that contribute to stability.

Its government is
relatively secure and maintains control over areas of its territory,
its economy is more or less resilient and the population remains
relatively healthy. Stability in Afghanistan was shown to be far more
elusive, according to the ratings. It currently ranks as the fourth
most unstable entity in the world.

The Jane’s Country Risk Ratings will be reviewed each month and
updated as necessary. In addition, major news events, with either
global or specifically domestic implications, will prompt extra ratings
changes.

Jane’s Country Risk Ratings are available online through Jane’s
Military and Security Assessments Intelligence Centre at
http://jmsa.janes.com.

via Swan

Source:  Jane's