A country under siege from within

Colombia's government is fighting a war from all sides. Besieged by two leftist rebel organizations, South America's oldest democracy is also being undermined by brutal right-wing paramilitary groups and powerful narcotics traffickers.

Decades of violence and uncertainty have fractured the nation's social structure. Hundreds of thousands of Colombians have become refugees in their own land. Scores more leave their homeland every week.

Examine the situation in Colombia through this site -- including a series of exclusive field reports from CNN.com correspondent Steve Nettleton. Read essays from academic analysts, correspondents and longtime observers of the conflict. Learn more about the issues, the participants and the groups involved in a nation's struggle for peace and stability.