Russia, Ukraine and Belarus are increasingly heading in the same direction – away from Europe. In the first of a two-part series, John Besemeres looks at recent political developments in these three former Soviet republics
17 Sep 12East Asia’s lost opportunity
The region has yet to recognise its potential role in global governance, writes Ross Buckley. To do that, China needs to change tack
06 Sep 12Ideological uncertainties
What would a Romney presidency mean for Australia, asks Dennis Altman
29 Aug 12Politics by performance
For Hashimoto Toru – hailed by many as a future national leader – it’s out with human rights and in with government-authored history. Tessa Morris-Suzuki looks at his disturbing prescription for a “new Japan”
28 Aug 12South Sea Islanders unite in Australia
Tales of colonial blackbirding have led to renewed ties between Australian South Sea Islanders and Pacific communities, reports Nic Maclellan
27 Aug 12France’s ship of state making no waves
Surprisingly little has changed under new president François Hollande, writes Philippe Marlière
21 Aug 12Thaksin lives
It’s more than possible that Thaksin Shinawatra, one-time prime minister and seemingly as popular as ever, could once again be at the centre of Thai politics, writes Nicholas Farrelly
14 Aug 12Post-election Timor-Leste: the parties enter negotiations
The results of the election suggest an intriguing balance in the new parliament, writes Michael Leach
10 Jul 12Timor-Leste: the parliamentary campaign begins
Even the party that loses next month’s election will share in the victory by helping set the tone for post-UN democracy in this young nation, writes Michael Leach
08 Jun 12How the world warmed to a nuclear India
India has pursued two curiously contradictory approaches to nuclear proliferation since independence, writes Kate Sullivan
03 May 12Günter Grass, again
The Nobel laureate’s latest intervention in public debate says more about him than about the Middle East, writes Klaus Neumann. But it also draws attention to broader attitudes in Germany
19 Apr 12Timor-Leste: the presidential runoff
Monday’s runoff vote is another step in the reconfiguration of East Timorese politics, writes Michael Leach
13 Apr 12Is that what we fought for?
Researching her new book, Lindsey Hilsum spoke to Libyan women about their role in post-Gaddafi politics
12 Apr 12Which Putin will stand up?
Born-again reformer, pragmatist or more of the same? The signs are mixed for Vladimir Putin’s third term as president, writes John Besemeres
28 Mar 12Vietnam’s high-profile land dispute
The Tien Lang affair has had unprecedented coverage in Vietnam’s normally closely controlled media, writes David G. Marr
23 Mar 12The Hamas split and the future of the Palestinian peace talks
Hamas is undergoing an internal power struggle, which gives the West an opportunity to steer the organisation away from extremism, writes Michael Bröning
22 Mar 12Timor’s change of leader
The first round of Timor-Leste’s presidential poll signals not only a change in leader but also a vigorous parliamentary election in June, writes Michael Leach
19 Mar 12Burma and the road to normality
Recently returned from Burma, Nicholas Farrelly looks at a series of remarkable changes, and the journey ahead
08 Mar 12Presidential elections in Timor-Leste: what’s at stake?
Michael Leach previews this month’s poll
04 Mar 12Putin’s phoney war
Vladimir Putin is likely to win Sunday’s presidential elections, but it’s less clear how events will unfold in Russia once he moves back into his old job, writes John Besemeres
01 Mar 12
