"The attacks will intensify," a military commander predicted in a tone of dismay.

Then, the commander predicted.

The commanders said the attacks could be the opening salvo in an attempt to derail the imminent handover of power, and predicted more violence in the week to come.

The British commander in Africa, General Archibald Wavell, correctly predicted that Mussolini's pride would ultimately cause him to enter the war.

One commander, Harim Kemal Agha, astride a garrison Ansar had briefly overrun last month, predicted an end.

The commander, a lieutenant colonel named Ron who insisted that his last name be withheld, predicted that shooting would erupt, and it did.

A full load of passengers is aboard and her commander, Captain Rolf Stresser, predicts a routine crossing.

As their commanders had predicted a few days ago, alliance forces advanced rapidly and reportedly forced the Taliban to fall back east and west of Mazar-i-Sharif.

On Thursday, the commander of American ground forces there predicted it would take years before Iraqis could maintain security, allowing American forces to withdraw.

He was even more upbeat than his commander, Mr. Philippe, predicting the rebels would take the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday.