The retreat from Afghanistan is proving hard enough for the United States. But its military return to Iraq is much more serious.
The dangerous stand-off with Russia over Ukraine is also a display of the west's skewed perceptions and moral vanities.
A new political tone on climate change in Britain is matched by a breakthrough in understanding the retreat of tropical glaciers.
Two floods, two eras, two worlds. The contrast between 1953 and 2014 in southern England is a lesson both in class and climate change.
A cycle of military repression and violent jihadi resistance in Egypt threatens to eclipse the democratic hopes of the Arab awakening.
The Geneva conference offers little hope of a breakthrough to halt Syria's nightmare. This makes a different approach all the more urgent.
If long-term climate disruption is a reality, so is the prospect of short-term benefit for states such as Canada and Russia. But their governments' denial of climate change looks back not forward.
A way forward in Syria must address the rival positions of Iran and Saudi Arabia. In this context, the Geneva talks offer little hope.
An alignment of interests over Syria offers slim hope of movement in resolving the country's nightmare. But differences of view among the anti-Assad forces remain a great obstacle to progress.
The accelerating pace of extreme weather events is an acute challenge to political leaders.
The Arab awakening promised democratic change and the end of violent jihadism. Today, the losers of 2010-11 are again on the rise.
An informative guide to non-violent activism worldwide offers a valuable, positive resource through difficult times. It is also a tribute to the lifelong work of its co-editor, Howard Clark.
