François Fillon, whether you think of him as a liberal or conservative, is now the odds-on favorite to be the next president of France.
Category: Personalities
Enter the Libertarian
America's Libertarians again choose Gary Johnson as their standard-bearer. And now that we know who the candidates are, some interest is starting to focus on the dynamics of the Electoral College.
Family, fascism and respectability
France is spellbound as the National Front's drive for modernisation is embodied in conflict within its first family.
Two Cold Warriors leave the scene
Gone in the same week, Malcolm Fraser and Lee Kuan Yew. Compare and contrast.
Death of a peacemaker
Eduard Shevardnadze, the last Soviet foreign minister, dies peacefully in retirement. His life is worth remembering.
Howard Baker, RIP
Howard Baker, who died on Thursday aged 88, led the first Republican Senate majority for a generation. His leadership style would be unwelcome among today's Republicans.
Putting a general in charge
The nomination of Peter Cosgrove as Australia's next governor-general raises interesting questions about what sort of job it is – and what sort of country we are.
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?
A hero for the world
Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013. Rest in peace.
Tadeusz Mazowiecki, RIP
Former Polish prime minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki died yesterday. His is a story worth remembering.
The World is Not Enough 