POLITICS-AFRICA: President-for-life Syndrome

Africans are fighting a new war: president-for-life syndrome.

IRAQ: Massive Military Contractor Makes Media Mess

It is no secret that U.S. defence and construction companies - particularly those with close ties to the administration of President George W. Bush - are making a lot of money in the post-war rush for contracts in Iraq.

IRAQ: Massive Military Contractor Makes Media Mess

It is no secret that U.S. defence and construction companies - particularly those with close ties to the administration of President George W. Bush - are making a lot of money in the post-war rush for contracts in Iraq.

SPAIN: Basque Country Weighs Referendum and ETA Bullets

In its battle based on a mix of secular nationalism and Marxism, the Basque terrorist group ETA has murdered nearly 1,000 people. Those who criticise ETA or refuse to pay its "revolutionary tax" face harassment, kidnap or even death.

POLITICS-U.S.: Iran-Contra, Amplified

As Karl Marx might have said, ''A spectre is haunting Washington - the spectre of Iran-Contra''.

SOUTH-EAST ASIA: Fallout of Bali Verdict Will Gauge Scale of Militant Islam

The spectacle that unfolded in an Indonesian court this week, as it issued its verdict on the Bali bombings, would have added to the long list of stereotypes critics of Islam have of this faith - that it encourages violence and that Muslims kill civilians without remorse.

POLITICS-U.S.: Administration Paralysed Over Iran

Does the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush still consider al-Qaeda and its associates the main target in its almost three-year-old ''war on terrorism'', or has its military victory in Iraq whetted its appetite for bigger game?

POLITICS-U.S.: Pentagon Office Home to Neo-Con Network

An ad hoc office under U.S. Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Douglas Feith appears to have acted as the key base for an informal network of mostly neo-conservative political appointees that circumvented normal inter-agency channels to lead the push for war against Iraq.

POLITICS-U.S.: Pentagon Office Home to Neo-Con Network

An ad hoc office under U.S. Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Douglas Feith appears to have acted as the key base for an informal network of mostly neo-conservative political appointees that circumvented normal inter-agency channels to lead the push for war against Iraq.

TRADE-AFRICA: Growth Depends on Access to Market, Not Aid

As the next round of trade talks gets underway in Cancun, Mexico next month, it has emerged that Africa would benefit far more from the better access to the European Union and the United States markets than it does from aid.

POLITICS-U.S.: War Critics Zero In on Pentagon Office

On most days, the Pentagon's 'Early Bird', a daily compilation of news articles on defence-related issues mostly from the U.S. and British press, does not shy from reprinting hard-hitting stories and columns critical of the Defence Department's top leadership.

POLITICS-AZERBAIJAN: Son Takes the Presidential Path

Ilham Aliyev, son of ailing President Heidar Aliyev was named prime minister of Azerbaijan Monday. That puts him in line to succeed his father as president.

POLITICS-U.S.: White House Discipline Breaking Down

If foreign leaders and diplomats appear increasingly confused about where U.S. foreign policy is being made, they are not alone.

POLITICS: Where Thailand’s ‘Road Map’ for Burma Leads is Unclear

Thailand is pushing ahead with its initiative to bring democratic change to Burma by pursuing discussions on a road map to national reconciliation and democracy, but where this political journey leads to remains unclear.

POLITICS-CAMBODIA: Poll Stands Out in Region Short of Democracy

Despite being one of South-east Asia's poorest countries, Cambodia succeeded this week in pulling off a general election that can easily shame most of its regional neighbours, where democracy is either absent or skin deep.

POLITICS-SOUTH AFRICA: Mandela’s Good Intentions Amount to little for the Poor

Former South African President Nelson Mandela's deck of cards has been dealt out in spades.

AFRICA: Zimbabwe, a Thorn in the Side of Africa

South African President Thabo Mbeki is reported to have told U.S. President George W. Bush that their Zimbabwean counterpart will leave office at the end of this year.
   In return, Bush has pledged up to 10 billion dollars in U.S. assistance to rebuild Zimbabwe once Robert Mugabe has stepped down, or is removed, from the presidency.

POLITICS-AFRICA: Zimbabwe, a Thorn in the Side of Africa

South African President Thabo Mbeki is reported to have told United States President, George W Bush, that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe will leave office at the end of this year.

RIGHTS-COLOMBIA: Keen Watch Follows Political Pressure

No one needs to read between the lines to see the accent on human rights at the London meeting on international support for Colombia. The 11-paragraph statement includes as many as 16 references to human rights and humanitarian issues.

POLITICS-NEPAL: Clouds of Mistrust Hang over Peace Talks

Nearly two and a half months since the Nepal government and Maoist rebels declared ''small but significant progress'' in their talks, the peace process remains in tatters and clouds of mistrust hang over the two sides.

POLITICS-NEPAL: Clouds of Mistrust Hang over Peace Talks

Nearly two and a half months since the Nepal government and Maoist rebels declared ''small but significant progress'' in their talks, the peace process remains in tatters and clouds of mistrust hang over the two sides.