Another selection of past blog posts, including reports on a number of controversies that continue to this day.
A statue in Prague (April 2020). Tales of an alleged Russian assassination plot in Czechia, possibly as revenge over a disputed war memorial.
Death of a contender (July 2020). Black conservative Herman Cain, once a proto-Trumpist presidential candidate, succumbs to the coronavirus. Perhaps it will be a wake-up call to some other Republicans.
Democracy shut down in Myanmar (February 2021). Myanmar’s military uses baseless claims of election fraud to seize power. It all sounds much too familiar for comfort.
Ninety per cent (October 2021). After a slow start, Australia’s Covid vaccination rate reaches unexpected heights. For some reason, the Trumpism of its leaders did not have the same consequences as in the United States.
One war ends, another continues (April 2022). Russia admits failure in its quest to replace Ukraine’s government and destroy the country’s independence. Can it do any better with more limited aims?
Lessons for Taiwan (July 2022). A planned visit by Nancy Pelosi again raises the question of Taiwan’s future, and of what lessons can be learned from the invasion of Ukraine.
Brexit’s final chapter? (March 2023). Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen write what they hope will be the last chapter in the long Brexit saga.
A Croatian anniversary (July 2023). Ten years on, Croatia has made a great success of European Union membership. But its example is not being followed.
That other two-state solution (December 2023). Israel/Palestine isn’t the only place confronting a choice between having one state or two. The problem in Cyprus is similar, but interestingly different.
Tory Party stares into the abyss / Britain’s Tories confront Faragism (June-July 2024). Britain’s election is mainly interesting not for the result, but for what defeat might do to the Conservative Party. After a massive loss, it needs to make some decisions about its future.
Australia day, yet again (January 2025). It’s Australia Day again. Not everyone likes it, but for some, that’s its big selling point.
More worry about preferences (September 2025). Many Coalition voters in Australia seem convinced that their electoral woes are due to preferential voting. There’s a small element of truth there, but not much.
The World is Not Enough 