SO(3) monopoles, vortices and confinement in SU(2) gauge theory

We report on further progress in our programme of understanding confinement in 3d and 4d SU(2) gauge theory in terms of Z(2) monopoles. A sufficient condition for confinement was previously translated into Z(2) monopole correlation inequalities in a related SO(3) gauge theory. We shall discuss the physical picture underlying this scenario and present some Monte Carlo evidence concerning the monopole correlation inequalities.