Pick of the Web
Cancúnblog: from Mexico to the world
The unexpected outcome of the World Trade Organisation summit in Cancún, Mexico in September 2003 led to vigorous debate in openDemocracy. Caspar Henderson, our globalisation editor, explains how an innovative experiment – a hybrid of blog and discussion forum – was born.
Yiren Congzheng: 'Actors engaging in politics', or Arnie as seen from Beijing
The election of Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor of California has a different impact on the Chinese public and its intellectual elite.
The Galileo project: science, journalism, and Jupiter
In September 2003, the spacecraft Galileo disintegrated in Jupiter’s dense atmosphere, after fourteen years of measuring the planet’s satellites. A success? Yes, but also a cautionary tale of how the media misrepresents scientific work and achievement.
The perils of simplification: a reply to Lutz Kleveman
Lutz Kleveman’s portrait of the political dynamics at work in Central Asia is inaccurate and simplified, argues Rosemary Righter. Western influence there is not oil-driven, imperial, nor indeed only American. The reality is more complex - and hopeful.
The California recall election: Say it ain't so!
Arnold Schwarznegger’s election as governor of California leaves this Democrat outraged, but not disheartened.
Death in the Luxembourg Gardens
A memorial to atrocity in a beautiful Paris park causes Ken Worpole to reflect on the dark shadows of the public realm.
Oil wars: from Central Asia to Iraq
The politics of oil in Central Asia involves an epic 21st century contest of global wealth, power and influence. The author of a new book on the issue perceives a deep continuity between the 19th century age of empire and 21st century geopolitics.
A strident Victorian or a realistic pluralist?
Grahame Thompson, in response to George Monbiot’s criticisms, elaborates his view that Monbiot’s proposals for future world governance in “The Age of Consent” are not only impractical, but dangerous.
The Iraq weapons report: a review
The Iraq Survey Group has just published its interim report on the Saddam regime’s weapons programmes and capabilities. Ron Manley, a chemical weapons expert who oversaw the United Nations inspection operations in Iraq in the early 1990s, assesses it.
Receive or take rights? Belgium's Arab European League
An ambitious movement led by a charismatic young leader is shaking Belgian political life. Not the anti-immigrant, Flemish nationalist Vlaams Blok, but a confident mobilisation of people of Arab descent. How will the Arab European League (AEL) reshape understanding of diversity and multiculturalism in 21st century Europe?
The people speak: America debates its role in the world
A major programme of public dialogue is seeking to bridge the immense gulf of understanding between the United States and the rest of the world.
Zanzibar: in the eye of the storm
An Indian Ocean microcosm of global politics – democracy, development, and election fraud, arguments over sovereignty, violence and pluralism – what can Zanzibar teach the world? Kirsty Hughes talks to Juma Duni Haji, a leader of its main opposition party, the Civic United Front.
Airstrikes and orgies
Damascene pre-emption, Chinese anger, Indiana Jones in Baghdad
Iran and North Korea: the next targets?
Despite its problems in Iraq, the United States continues to focus on the nuclear ambitions of the other two ‘axis of evil’ states, North Korea and Iran. In the context of its doctrine of pre-emption, and the reluctance of the eight existing nuclear weapons states to disarm, can another dangerous conflict be averted?
Saddam's Islamist legacy
A recent visitor to Baghdad talks to influential Iraqis: what remains after dictatorship and manipulation of history, he finds, is a messianic revolutionary spirit in Islamic garb.
Burundi: a life in fear
In Burundi, political violence by state forces and guerrillas has killed 200,000 people in the last decade. J.R., the child of a Hutu-Tutsi marriage, survived a savage ordeal at the hands of security forces. Now in Britain, but with no right to remain, his past is a daily torment.
Israel and globalisation
Israel is a lightning rod of concern for anti-globalisers and neo-conservatives alike. Long-term developments in the country itself may yet surprise both groups.
In memory of Franco Modigliani
The distinguished economist of Italian origin, Franco Modigliani, combined rigorous scholarship with principled engagement on public issues. A protest against Silvio Berlusconi’s indulgent view of Mussolini’s dictatorship was one of his last acts. Pierleone Ottolenghi, who shared with Modigliani the experience of forced exile from fascist Italy, recalls a life-affirming friend.
Atkins and America
While the UN and Europe are mired in carbo sloth, America is eating its way to world power. Dominic Hilton sorts the macho lean from the liberal mush.
A democratic world, the century's challenge
George Monbiot responds to Grahame Thompson’s lengthy critique of his vision of 21st century global governance.
This week's editor
Europe from the bottom up
European debate
Democratic Wealth
Nuclear non-proliferation
oDRussia at journalismfestival .com
Mali - the plot thickens
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Remote control war
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Conference coverage from 50.50
Articles exploring the themes of the fourth international Nobel Women's Initiative conference May 28-31. Jennifer Allsopp and Heather McRobie will be reporting for 5050
Articles exploring the themes of the fourth international Nobel Women's Initiative conference May 28-31. Jennifer Allsopp and Heather McRobie will be reporting for 5050
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Martin Rose Bliss Was It in that Dawn to Be Next Door
Vron Ware Up in Arms
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Markha Valenta Inter Alia: religion, politics, culture
Paul Rogers on Global security
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Lis Howell On broadcasting
Dan Hancox Revel, Riot and Rebellion
Martin Rose Bliss Was It in that Dawn to Be Next Door
Vron Ware Up in Arms
Jim Gabour Sunday Comics
James Warner Standing Perpendicular, as books do
Markha Valenta Inter Alia: religion, politics, culture
Paul Rogers on Global security
Mary Kaldor on Human security
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