POLITICS-US: The Return of the Return of History

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Georgia last month, many commentators have been quick to proclaim that the war signals "the return of history". But attentive observers could be forgiven for responding to these pronouncements with a sense of déjà vu.

EU: For European People Too

Several events over the past year have raised fundamental questions about whether the European Union's primary mission is to ensure the smooth operation of an economic bloc or to ensure a decent quality of life for its 490 million citizens.

INDIA: Dialogue Missing as Kashmir Erupts

Even as the Jammu region of the strife-torn Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is settling down to normality and peace, a two month-old turmoil in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley shows no signs of abating.

POLITICS: Why Its Iraqi “Client” Blocked U.S. Long-Term Presence

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signaled last week that that all U.S. troops - including those with non-combat functions - must be out of the country by the end of 2011 under the agreement he is negotiating with the George W. Bush administration.

PAKISTAN: Giving Democracy a Chance

As Pakistan appears to lurch from one political crisis to another, there may be a silver lining in the army continuing to keep its distance from politics and the political leadership affirming the democratic process, despite the setbacks.

DEVELOPMENT: Towards an 'Aid-Free' World?

Imagine the dawn of a day when development aid ministries in Europe are shut down because there are no countries left in the 'South' that depend on financial assistance from the 'North'.

ISRAEL: Olmert Has a Last Go at a Legacy

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert may have announced that he will resign as soon as his ruling Kadima party has chosen a new leader next month, but that doesn't mean the prime minister has given up hope of reaching an agreement with the Palestinians or the Syrians.

INDIA/US: Nuclear Deal Headed for Fiasco

As the tortuous negotiations for the United States-India nuclear deal enters its final stage, it becomes clear that India seriously underestimated the discomfort and opposition the agreement would arouse in many countries because of the special privileges granted to India, largely on New Delhi's terms.

POLITICS: Iran Could Reap Benefits of U.S.-Russian Tensions

Iran could emerge as a big winner, at least in the short term, from the rapidly escalating tensions between the United States and Russia over Moscow's intervention in Georgia, according to analysts here.

MALAYSIA: Anwar's Win Spells Leadership Change

Despite a nasty campaign against him, opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim has won spectacularly in a landmark by-election in the family stronghold of Permatang Pauh, confirming his stature as possible prime minister with truly national appeal, cutting across race and religion.

EUROPE: Russia Triggers A New Cold War Threat

A spectre is haunting Europe, the spectre of a new Cold War in the wake of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signing a decree Tuesday formally recognising the breakaway Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.

MALAYSIA: Anwar Needs Huge Win in Crucial By-Election

All eyes in Malaysia and beyond are trained on this constituency of 58,000 voters in mainland Penang, the scene of a pivotal by-election on Tuesday that could determine if an opposition alliance can press ahead with its plan to take over the federal government in the coming weeks.

EUROPE: Georgia War Steps Up Support for U.S. Missile Bases

Following tough negotiations, the U.S. and Poland have signed a deal on extension of the U.S. missile defence system to Eastern Europe, weeks after the outbreak of the Georgian-Russian conflict.

CHINA: Millennium Olympics?

As the curtain falls on the Beijing Olympics, the race is on to define the legacy of one of the most controversial games in history. For the host country, these are the "millennium games", which herald the dawn of the ‘Asian century’ where China reigns supreme.

POLITICS: Georgia War Rooted in U.S. Self-Deceit on NATO

The U.S. policy of absorbing Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, which was enthusiastically embraced by Barack Obama and his running mate Joseph Biden, has undoubtedly been given a major boost by the Russian military operation in Georgia.

POLITICS-US: Biden Helps Obama Plug Key Gaps in Electorate

In picking six-term Senator Joseph Biden as his vice presidential running-mate, Sen. Barack Obama hopes to plug some key gaps in the electoral constituencies whose support he hopes will send him to the White House in the November elections just 10 weeks from now.

POLITICS-US: A Really Bad Couple of Weeks for Pax Americana

Whatever hopes the George W. Bush administration may have had for using its post-9/11 "war on terror'' to impose a new Pax Americana on Eurasia, and particularly in the unruly areas between the Caucasus and the Khyber Pass, appear to have gone up in flames - in some cases, literally - over the past two weeks.

INDIA/US: Suppliers' Group Stalls Nuclear Deal

Dashing hopes that the United States-India nuclear cooperation deal would sail through the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG), a two-day meeting in Vienna of the 45-nation association has failed to produce a consensus on a U.S. drafted text.

BOLIVIA: Beef Producers’ Boycott – Latest Opposition Strategy

A beef producers’ boycott declared by agribusiness interests in eastern Bolivia is the latest attempt by the pro-autonomy opposition movement to undermine the government of Bolivian President Evo Morales.

MIDEAST: A Civil War in the Making

Recent weeks have seen the worst fighting between rival Palestinian movements Fatah and Hamas since the latter's takeover of the Gaza Strip last summer. Hamas accuses the "treasonous faction" within Fatah - which worked with U.S. military intelligence in last year's failed bid to destroy the resistance group - of instigating the violence.

POLITICS-US: McCain’s Plan to Privatise Veterans’ Health Care

If John McCain is elected the next U.S. president, wounded veterans could be in for a world of hurt.