As ethnic and sectarian solidarities and conflicts sharpen in this part of the world, it may be worth reminding ourselves of another way of being - ‘new Ottoman’ cosmopolitanism, with its complex relationship to colonialism
An Israeli assault on Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure and personnel would be far more extensive than many realise. The prospect that it will happen in the next few months is increasing.
Our correspondent in the Gaza Strip invites you to spend the day with him
The death in April 2010 of Fred Halliday, engaged political intellectual and scholar of international relations, provoked many tributes from among the worldwide fellowship of colleagues he had done so much to create and nurture. Now, in what is both a preliminary assessment and an incisive overvie
Somalian insurgents suspected of bombing Ugandan capital. Israel prepares for further attempts to break the Gaza blockade as Eiland report is released. North Korea maintains innocence as it meets with UN. US and Serbia join in calls for justice over Srebrenica massacre. Russia expresses concern ov
The commander officer of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon has appealed for calm in resolving disputes between peace keeping troops and local residents. The US and Russia are exchanging convicted spies. Pakistan has been struck again by a multiple bomb attack and the new head of US Central Command has be
This is a tragedy that belongs to modern powerplay and the current moment, and that calls for a much more thoughtful response from outside observers
The ability of Iran’s military to learn from experience and become adept in irregular warfare echoes that of insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also presents the United States with hard choices.
New rumours of xenophobic reprisals after the World Cup send foreign migrants fleeing in South Africa. A new Amnesty International report slams endemic sexual violence in Kenyan slums. A Sri Lankan government minister begins hunger strike to protest UN inquiry into war crimes. Fresh bombings kill
Obama and Netanyahu meet, emphasizing ‘unbreakable bond’. British troops to pull out of Sangin. US soldier charged with leaking Iraq war video. UK announces torture inquiry. Indian army deployed in Kashmir as violence soars. All this and more in today’s security briefing.
Fear of contagion leads to calls for increased deployment in Somalia. Turkey threatens to sever diplomatic ties with Israel. Bosnian ex-president in London court on extradition charges. Lebanese Shia leader dies. China deploys security forces ahead of Urumqi riots anniversary. All this and more in
From an Iranian perspective it is hard to understand what the word ‘terrorist’ means in the American political lexicon. The meaning keeps changing
