AfPak again
The Americans are at it again. Troop surge in Afghanistan, policy review on Pakistan, alternating between threatening and bribing us to ‘do more’. It’s like it’s 2009 again. The problem…
Obama’s AfPak dilemma
When President Barack Obama took office he commissioned an inter-agency review of US policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan. The recommendations emerging from this review were issued in a white paper.…
‘Hostage diplomacy’: a growing headache for the West
Sylvie Arnaud’s first feeling when she learnt her son Louis had been detained in Iran in September last year was sheer incredulity, followed by a raging sense of injustice and…
Scientist shocks peers by ‘tailoring’ climate study
In a controversial bid to expose supposed bias in a top journal, a US climate expert shocked fellow scientists by revealing he tailored a wildfire study to emphasise global warming.…
Experts blame poor govt preparation for Greek fires’ devastation
While the Greek government has been quick to blame global warming for the summer’s devastating wildfires, some experts argue that poor planning is at least as much to blame. The…
Morocco king at 60: diplomacy a priority as inequalities persist
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI is set to celebrate his 60th birthday on Monday away from the public eye, as challenges abound almost a quarter century after he ascended the throne.…
Back on track: Europe’s night trains make bumpy comeback
Night trains have made a comeback in Europe thanks to their low-carbon footprint, but after years of neglect, the renaissance has had a bumpy ride. Operators admit that the trains…
Putin’s ‘monster’ turns against former master
From the actions of the Wagner mercenary group, but the mutiny led by its chief Yevgeny Prigozhin presents the Russian strongman with a challenge that could irreparably damage his authority,…
Hajj gives Sudanese faithful brief respite from country’s bloody conflict
The hajj pilgrimage has given Sudanese faithful Kamal Kabashi a brief respite from his country’s bloody conflict. Having safely arrived in Islam’s holiest city, he was praying for peace. Only…
Climate-vulnerable nations lead the way on finance reform
When Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley laid out a plan to fix the international financial architecture at climate talks last year, she galvanised world leaders on reforms that had languished…
