Eduard Shevardnadze, the last Soviet foreign minister, dies peacefully in retirement. His life is worth remembering.
Category: Middle East
Kurds move closer still to statehood
With continued chaos in Iraq, the country's Kurds find that independence may now be within their grasp.
Blair, Iraq and Afghanistan
The successful conduct of an election in Afghanistan provides an interesting counterpoint to Tony Blair's call for a new intervention in Iraq.
Elections in doubtful countries
Kosovo and South Ossetia have both held parliamentary elections. In each case, the fundamental issue is their status as independent countries.
A lacklustre victory for Egypt’s general
Egypt's military ruler is confirmed as president, but despite his efforts the turnout shows a lack of voter enthusiasm.
Belated election preview: Iraq
This week's Iraqi parliamentary election will probably be just the start of an extended period of coalition-building, with incumbent Nouri al-Maliki seen to be strongly placed.
End of the Arab Spring, part III: Syria
Syria is where the Arab Spring really came to grief, and its example is a powerful deterrent to other anti-government movements.
End of the Arab Spring, part II: Egypt
Egypt's presidential election looks like a foregone conclusion. It could all have been very different, and therefore so could the Arab Spring.
End of the Arab Spring, part I: Algeria
This disappointed hopes of the Arab Spring were on show in last week's one-sided election in Algeria.
Turkey and Russia: compare and contrast
Turkish local elections give its ruling party a vote of confidence, doing little to allay fears of growing authoritarianism. Vladimir Putin's Russia looks increasingly like a role model.
The World is Not Enough 