Media reports on Tony Abbott's push for constitutional recognition of indigenous Australians convey an impression of novelty. Yet nothing has really changed.
Author: Charles Richardson
French Socialists have more than sex to worry about
French president François Hollande is trying to put the recent crisis in his personal life behind him, but that's not the source of his political problems.
Breaking up Ukraine?
The ongoing protests in Kiev and other cities of western Ukraine are starting to raise the question of whether it can remain a united country.
Pennsylvanians get to vote without photos
The battle in the US over photo-ID laws for voting continues, with Republicans losing a court challenge in Pennsylvania.
Italy talks electoral reform
Silvio Berlusconi is back in the news, as Italy's party leaders do deals on electoral reform. Even if they get implemented, the effects might be different to what's intended.
Catalonia’s choice
Catalans want to vote on whether to be independent from Spain. Getting a referendum will be harder than it is for Scotland, but there's probably more chance of a "Yes" vote if it happens.
Ukrainian government upsets the applecart
Ukraine's parliament enacts new anti-protest laws, running the risk of reinvigorating a protest movement that was starting to run out of steam.
Egyptians vote yes – without much choice
There's no doubt about the result of Egypt's constitutional referendum, since campaigning for a "No" vote was effectively illegal. But the turnout might tell us something about the underlying level of support for the military.
Britain vs Europe, drugs edition
An EU move for more rational drug policy is disapproved by the British government, casting further doubt on the link between euroscepticism and libertarianism.
Death of a warmaker
Ariel Sharon ended his active career by apparently repudiating the things he had previously been most known for. Did he really mean it?
The World is Not Enough 