Israel has constructed a systematic policy of propaganda, 'hasbara', that depends on its citizens - the extension and 'mouthpiece' of the state - to act as its voice. But this rationalisation of Israeli policy rests on shaky foundations.
Russia has been fanning the fires of separatism in Ukraine, but the government is not so keen on separatism at home.
Israel's military forces have embraced new tactics, weaponry and a network-centric strategy. But the latest conflict in Gaza leaves the country's security problems as intractable as ever.
The problem is that the Republican People's Party (Turkey's centre-left main political party) remains torn between the supporters of a European-style social democracy and those of a die-hard Kemalism.
Could Kurdish voices become part of the political mainstream in Turkey; and could the PKK have its status as “terrorist” removed?
Christian families who have the means have managed to escape the Islamic State in Mosul for Jordan, which has provided a transit point, but where to next for Iraqi Christians?
India has moderated its position on the Israel-Palestine conflict over time, exchanging statements of condemnation for those “expressing concern”. But behind India’s strategic balancing act there also lies a precise domestic calculus.
A statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict made by Quakers in Britain at their Yearly Meeting in Bath, 8 August 2014.
While many, the international community included, will breath a sigh of relief that the hostilities that have plagued Gaza for the last 50 days have finally ended another battle has just begun.
The revolution which has been taking place across Rojava (literally, ‘Western Kurdistan’), where three cantons were set up in January this year, has a grassroots democratic model.
