London lives

The best response to London’s terror attacks is to stay calm and keep a steady focus on existing, vital political issues, says Mary Kaldor.

China and Africa: a new era of 'south-south cooperation'

China’s energy-hungry economy is driving the country’s ambitious Africa strategy. But is such bold developing-world investment any less self-interested than that from western, ex-colonial states? Chris Melville & Olly Owen map the dynamics of a new age of “south-south cooperation”.

Africa's re-development needs: a Nigerian perspective

Nigeria is a west African giant of huge human and economic potential. What must happen to make it real? John Adeleke on seven principles for a brighter future.

Making G8 History

Between the submissive pleas of Make Poverty History and the anarchist headbangers of the Black Bloc, where is the coherent message to unite protestors against the G8’s planetary depredations? Tom Burgis reports from the Gleneagles frontline.

Targeting Iran

How does the election of Iran’s new president affect the likelihood of a United States – or an Israeli – attack?

African agency vs the aid industry

The western aid industry is a trap that locks Africans in the chains of dependency. Africans’ initiative, symbolised by diaspora remittance flows, is the key to liberation, says Chukwu-Emeka Chikezie.

Africans can do it for ourselves

The African challenge is to combine the management and sharing of the continent’s rich resources with peace and democratic governance, says Kenyan environment minister and Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai.

Brussels' African heartbeat

Belgium’s annual, multicultural festival, Couleur Café, reminds Karolin Schaps that Africa is not “there” but “here”.

Where is Auchterarder?

The small Scots town that hosts the G8 circus is no stranger to world-historical events; they happen there once every century, writes poet Robin Bell.

Open Europe

The worst way the European Union could react to its current crisis would be to close Europe’s doors to further enlargement.

Iran's young reformers

The election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reflects a fractured society, finds blogger Hossein Derakhshan on his return to Tehran; but also one where reformists have a future if they can speak to Iran’s rising generation.

Insider-outsider: the NGO fracture zone

The alliance between the NGO coalition Make Poverty History and the spectacular global Live8 concerts may seem a formidable challenge to the G8, but Tom Burgis in Edinburgh hears radical NGO campaigners who think it is far too close to power.

Golfers at Leith Links, Scotland

From egalitarian Leith Links to exclusive Gleaneagles, what would this group of 11 have to say to the group of 8 meeting 138 years later in their own country?

'Me Tarzan. Me save Africa.' Jeffrey Sachs, the G8 and poverty

The leading economist, Jeffrey Sachs’s agenda for ending poverty in Africa is shared by the NGOs behind the Make Poverty History campaign and the organisers of the global Live8 concerts. Anthony Barnett meets Sachs and examines the politics of protest around the G8 summit in Scotland.

Welcome to Costa-del-Gaza

What will Gaza become after Israeli occupation? Eóin Murray reports on embattled Jewish settlers and Palestinian fears.

Iran's revolutionary spasm

Iran’s election surprise belongs to a global as well as an Iranian history of revolution and nationalism, says Fred Halliday.

The ghost of Gleneagles

The G8 leaders should take courage and admit that making polluters pay through the law courts is the simple, straight, if scary solution to global warming, says Myles Allen.

Ten Seconds From The Sun

A relaxed dinner becomes a desperate ordeal for Ray Greenland when the entrance of two menacing strangers from a murky, concealed past threatens to change his life forever. Exclusive first chapter from “Ten Seconds From The Sun” by acclaimed novelist Russell Celyn Jones.

The crisis of democracy in America

The pillars of American democracy – the open society, the culture of law, a free media, independent science and academia – are under assault from the radical right, says Gara LaMarche of the Open Society Institute. A serious, coordinated response is needed, founded on robust and honest debate.

Iraq: thinking the unthinkable

Iraq’s insurgents, in developing new tactics as fast as the United States can counter their old, are forcing Washington to review its Iraq strategy.

This week's editor

Heather McRobie


Heather McRobie is a regular contributor to 50.50