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Thursday 29th July

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.
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.

Reading the Political Times: A Cultured Tory Writes

Gerry Hassan, 28 July 2010

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.

Lacking Cohesion? Cameron's National Citizen Service

Andy Mycock, 28 July 2010
The government's "Big Society" approach to citizenship endangers other successful community initiatives.

Vilnius Poker: Ideas for Eastern Europe

Chris Parton, 28 July 2010
Since the anniversary of the tearing down of the Berlin Wall last year there has been a renewed interest across Europe about the intellectual ferment of those years, with the publication of a host of previously untranslated writers. One such author is the Lithuanian Ricardas Gavelis. His Vilnius Poker, first published in 1989, was translated into English last year by Open Letter Books and shortlisted for the Three Percent Translation Prize. Rereading it, Chris Parton finds many lessons for today.

AV timing betrays an accident prone and centralising government

Gerry Hassan, 28 July 2010
Serious constitutional and political issues are raised by the UK Coalition's decision to hold the AV referendum alongside the devolved elections.
Tuesday 27th July

Protection centres for victims of domestic abuse opened at Baghdad police stations

Patricia Rich, 27 July 2010
Iraqi interior ministry opens protection centres for victims of domestic abuse. Israeli defence minister says all Lebanon would be within bounds in case of Hezbollah confrontation. France declares war on al-Qaeda in northern Africa. All this and more in today's security briefing.