American sanctions against Cuba have had more than fifty years to work, but haven't. Sanctions against Russia, however, are doing unexpectedly well.
Category: Political issues
UKIP scores again
The UK Independence Party wins itself a second seat in the House of Commons. It's bad news for the Conservatives, and not much joy for Labour or the Lib Dems either.
Catalonia’s “yes” vote is just the beginning
No surprise that the "yes" vote won a big victory in Catalonia's independence referendum. The question is whether it was big enough to bring the central government to the negotiating table.
Economics trumps language in Belgium
Belgium finally gets a new government: a centre-right pro-business coalition held together by economic policy rather than by linguistic consensus.
Scotland almost live
Scotland votes decisively against reclaiming its independence.
Sweden follows the script
Sweden's new government will almost certainly be led by the Social Democrats, but the electorate has given them something less than an enthusiastic endorsement.
Change at the top in the EU
The European Union is getting a new head of state and foreign minister. The fact that they don't call them that is a symptom of the EU's problems.
Left, right and centre in central Europe
Slovenia is set to get a new centre-left coalition government, which is becoming something of the norm in central Europe. Hungary remains an outstanding exception.
Mr Abbott takes on the Scots
The Australian prime minister has a go at telling Scotland which way it should vote in next month's independence referendum. Scots are unlikely to be impressed.
Coalition with a conscience?
It looks as if the Liberal Party is likely to get a conscience vote on introducing same-sex marriage in Australia. The interesting question is what it will do with it.
The World is Not Enough 