On termination of 4-fold semi-stable log flips (Q2574356)

Minimal model program is a way to choose simple objects in the birational equivalence classes of algebraic varieties. The main open problem in this area are existence and termination of log flips, see [\textit{J. Kollár, S. Mori}, Birational geometry of algebraic varieties. With the collaboration of C. H. Clemens and A. Corti. Cambridge Tracts in Mathematics. 134. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). (1998; Zbl 0926.14003)] In the paper under review the author proves termination for 4-fold semi stable log flips, assuming they do exist. For quite a different approach see [\textit{V. V. Shokurov}, Tr. Mat. Inst. Steklova 246, 328--351 (2004), Algebr. Geom. Metody, Svyazi i Prilozh.; translation in Proc. Steklov Inst. Math. No. 3 (246), 315--336 (2004; Zbl 1107.14012)].