ASIA: Canberra’s Anti-Terror Posture Strains Ties with Neighbours

Australia's self-designated role as America's regional sheriff in the fight against terrorism has widened the gulf between Canberra and its south-east Asian neighbours wary of a ''white enclave'' in their backyard, say analysts.

POLITICS: Democracy and Double-Talk on Turkey

Turkey has long occupied a very special place in the hearts and minds of the 'Attack Iraq' crowd that remains the dominant voice in the administration of President George W. Bush. Firstly because it is the only predominantly Muslim member in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

POLITICS-U.S.: Democracy and Double-Talk on Turkey

Turkey has long occupied a very special place in the hearts and minds of the 'Attack Iraq' crowd that remains the dominant voice in the administration of President George W. Bush.

POLITICS-U.S.: Democracy and Double-Talk on Turkey

Turkey has long occupied a very special place in the hearts and minds of the 'Attack Iraq' crowd that remains the dominant voice in the administration of President George W. Bush.

POLITICS-U.S.: Bandar’s Bewilderment Mirrors Saudi Fall From Grace

Poor Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States.

SRI LANKA: Despite Donors’ Meeting, Legitimacy Eludes Tiger Rebels

If the Sri Lankan peace talks in Thailand had convinced the Tamil Tiger rebels that they were on the way to achieving their Holy Grail - international legitimacy - then this week's meeting of donors in Norway shattered that illusion.

/CORRECTED REPEAT/SRI LANKA: Despite Donors’ Meeting, Legitimacy Eludes Tiger Rebels

If the Sri Lankan peace talks in Thailand had convinced the Tamil Tiger rebels that they were on the way to achieving their Holy Grail -- international legitimacy -- then this week's meeting of donors in Norway shattered that illusion.

SRI LANKA: Despite Donors’ Meeting, Legitimacy Eludes Tiger Rebels

If the Sri Lankan peace talks in Thailand had convinced the Tamil Tiger rebels that they were on the way to achieving their Holy Grail -- international legitimacy -- then this week's donors' meeting in Norway shattered that illusion.

ECONOMY: Bad Loans Take Shine off China’s Star Performance

With one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a technocratic leadership committed to aggressive modernisation, communist China looks set one day to eclipse Japan as an Asian economic powerhouse.

ECONOMY: Bad Loans Take Shine off China’s Star Performance

With one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a technocratic leadership committed to aggressive modernisation, communist China looks set one day to eclipse Japan as an Asian economic powerhouse.

POLITICS-U.S.: One Year On, War On Terror Brings Mixed Results

One year after President George W. Bush won his first big battle in his "war against terrorism," the balance sheet looks decidedly mixed.

POLITICS-U.S.: One Year On, War On Terror Brings Mixed Results

One year after President George W. Bush won his first big battle in his "war against terrorism," the balance sheet looks decidedly mixed.

POLITICS-U.S.: One Year On, War On Terror Brings Mixed Results

One year after President George W. Bush won his first big battle in his ''war against terrorism,'' the balance sheet looks decidedly mixed.

INDONESIA: Military’s Tough Talk Tempers Hopes for Peace in Aceh

The Indonesian military's siege of a guerrilla stronghold in restless province of Aceh is but one of the many signs that temper hopes that a peace deal expected next month will lead to the lasting settlement of the conflict.

POLITICS-U.S.: Chalabi Lobby Battles Old Mideast Hands on Iraq

As in all things linked to U.S. foreign policy these days, the question of who should lead a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq is a matter of deep disagreement within the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush.

POLITICS-U.S.: Chalabi Lobby Battles Old Mideast Hands on Iraq

As in all things linked to U.S. foreign policy these days, the question of who should lead a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq is a matter of deep disagreement within the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush.

POLITICS-U.S.: Another Toxic Texan Rises to the Top

If ''European elites'' and other effete multilateralists consider U.S. President George W. Bush the 'Toxic Texan', what will they make of the new Republican Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Tom DeLay?

BURMA: U.N. Envoy’s Frustrations Affirm Failure of Policies So Far

When a U.N. special envoy to Burma threatened to quit this week if Rangoon's military government continues to drag its feet on political reform, he all but affirmed that international efforts to bring change in that South-east Asian nation have so far been failing.

POLITICS-U.S.: Powell Regains Ground in ‘Bush I Versus Bush II’

After three months of infighting, it appears that Secretary of State Colin Powell, who was largely marginalized by Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney after the Sep. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, has clawed his way back into contention.

POLITICS: US Dollars Yielded Unanimous UN Vote Against Iraq

The unanimous vote in the U.N. Security Council supporting the U.S. resolution on weapons inspections in Iraq was a demonstration of Washington's ability to wield its vast political and economic power, say observers.

POLITICS: U.S. Dollars Yielded Unanimous U.N. Vote Against Iraq

Friday's unanimous vote in the U.N. Security Council supporting the U.S. resolution on weapons inspections in Iraq was a demonstration of Washington's ability to wield its vast political and economic power, say observers.