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Myanmar’s 2010 elections: a human rights perspective

Benjamin Zawacki
Benjamin Zawacki of Amnesty International details the numerous human rights concerns raised by Myanmar's anticipated election.

What is Strategy 31?

Maryana Torocheshnikova
For the last nine months Russian cities have witnessed regular demonstrations to protest restrictions on the right to assemble enshrined in Article 31 in Russia’s Constitution.

Lawfair

Andy Hull
Court scrutiny of the British security services is to be welcomed; we can't debate properly our security needs without openness.

You say you want a revolution....

Laurie Penny and Rowenna Davies
Young people today face a future of debt, joblessness and ecological disaster. But how to respond to the hardships and humiliations handed down by the older generation? Two young writers and activists discuss.

Europe's butterfly effect

Fabrizio Tassinari
Amid an increasingly competitive global environment where Europe's future aspirations on the world stage have been questioned, Fabrizio Tassinari argues that focusing on the finer issues could help Europe to colour the bigger picture.

Once again, the Tease

Jim Gabour
As Louisiana braces itself for Tropical Storm Bonnie, Jim Gabour reflects on the current mood in New Orleans.

Women, politics and power - gender equality is not just a woman's issue

Anthony Barnett and Nick Pearce
Anthony Barnett and director of ippr Nick Pearce discuss what can be done to rectify the woeful under-representation of women in UK politics and public life.
Friday 30th July

Kosovo, law and politics

Engjellushe Morina, 30 July 2010
The International Court of Justice ruling on Kosovo’s independence offers the European Union a vital opportunity to lead the process that must follow, says Engjellushe Morina in Pristina.

Lawfair

Andy Hull, 30 July 2010
Court scrutiny of the British security services is to be welcomed; we can't debate properly our security needs without openness.

You say you want a revolution....

Laurie Penny and Rowenna Davies, 30 July 2010
Young people today face a future of debt, joblessness and ecological disaster. But how to respond to the hardships and humiliations handed down by the older generation? Two young writers and activists discuss.

Summer days at the dacha

Elena Strelnikova, 30 July 2010
In theory, Russians can holiday abroad these days. In practice, most can't afford it. Still, there are the pleasures of summer days at the dacha. But what with falling water levels and paying beaches, things aren't what they used to be. It's hard work too, growing vegetables, grumbles Elena Strelnikova

Myanmar’s 2010 elections: a human rights perspective

Benjamin Zawacki, 30 July 2010
Benjamin Zawacki of Amnesty International details the numerous human rights concerns raised by Myanmar's anticipated election.

Europe's butterfly effect

Fabrizio Tassinari, 30 July 2010
Amid an increasingly competitive global environment where Europe's future aspirations on the world stage have been questioned, Fabrizio Tassinari argues that focusing on the finer issues could help Europe to colour the bigger picture.

What is Strategy 31?

Maryana Torocheshnikova, 30 July 2010
For the last 12 months Russian cities have witnessed regular demonstrations to protest restrictions on the right to assemble enshrined in Article 31 in Russia’s Constitution. 31 May was no exception in Moscow, with particularly brutal police involvement. Strategy-31 is spreading: will the authorities crack down even further or will they have to compromise? First published: April 26.
Thursday 29th July

The AfPak war via WikiLeaks

Paul Rogers, 29 July 2010
The release of official United States material by the website Wikileaks confirms and amplifies enduring political assessments of the Afghanistan war, not least on openDemocracy.

Brazil: democracy vs poverty

Arthur Ituassu, 29 July 2010
In half a generation, a period that straddles two presidencies, politics has lifted millions of Brazilians from misery. Arthur Ituassu explains how it was done.

Who was double-dealing whom after the election?

Anthony Barnett, 29 July 2010
A BBC documentary on the creation of the UK's Coalition poses some interesting questions about what happened.

Women, politics and power - gender equality is not just a woman's issue

Anthony Barnett and Nick Pearce, 29 July 2010
Ahead of the UK Feminista summer school this weekend, OK co-editor Anthony Barnett and director of IPPR Nick Pearce discuss what can be done to rectify the woeful under-representation of women in UK politics and public life.

Lebanon's paths to war

Filippo Dionigi, 29 July 2010
The investigation into the assassination of President Rafiq Hariri is just one trigger among many that could lead Lebanon and the wider region to war.

Once again, the Tease

Jim Gabour, 29 July 2010
As Louisiana braces itself for Tropical Storm Bonnie, Jim Gabour reflects on the current mood in New Orleans.

S4C's mute allies

Steffan Powell, 29 July 2010
After a drubbing in the press, the Welsh-language TV channel S4C needs champions

The Assam conflict: a failure of the press

Aruni Kashyap, 29 July 2010
While debate on Assam's future rages in the Assamese media, the issue continues to be ignored by the Indian national press.

Culturalism: culture as political ideology

Jens-Martin Eriksen and Frederik Stjernfelt, 29 July 2010
More unites than divides Left and Right in the fierce debate on multiculturalism, argues Jens-Martin Eriksen and Frederik Stjernfelt.
Wednesday 28th July

Kosovo, Serbia and Bosnia: after the ICJ

Florian Bieber, 28 July 2010
The International Court of Justice ruling on Kosovo’s declaration of independence benefits Serbia too. But what of its effects on Bosnia? Florian Bieber considers the implications of the ICJ opinion.

Soviet anti-religion has returned, claim Europe's last surviving pagans

Geraldine Fagan, 28 July 2010
In their remote forest republic 400 miles east of the Moscow, the pagan Mari people are once again being harassed by the authorities. While the administrative lever used today is different — charges of “extremism” — their approach is more than reminiscent of the way their Soviet counterparts dealt with dissent.

Wounded Afghan civilians - Nato's responsibility

Dave Lannen, 28 July 2010
Dave Lannen calls on Nato to make full provision for the care of wounded Afghan civilians.

Felon Voting Rights and Democracy

Rebecca Gould, 28 July 2010
Convicted felons continue to be barred from voting in the US, with severe consequences for their rehabilitation and the democratic process. An effective campaign for their re-enfranchisement is vital, argues Rebecca Gould.
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