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.
Category: War and peace
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.
Crimea’s gone, but it’s not World War III
Crimea is one thing, eastern Ukraine is quite another. And we're a long way off having to worry about Poland and the Baltic states.
Small sighs of relief in Ukraine
Tensions in Ukraine have abated slightly, with the prospects for Russian intervention beyond Crimea seen to have lessened. But there's still scope for things to go wrong, and plenty of argument about who's to blame for them getting this bad.
What to do about Crimea?
Pro-Russian elements have taken up strategic positions in Crimea, but it's not yet clear if the momentum is there for them to attempt secession – or how much Russia will back them if they do.
What is Plan B for Putin?
Revolution in Kiev has been a major defeat for Russia's president. What might he be able to salvage from the wreckage?
Protests in a divided Bosnia
Recent protests in Bosnia & Herzegovina could be a sign of that country overcoming its ethnic divisions. Or they might not.
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?
Holiday reading on Middle East peace
Just as the Palestinians indicate some new flexibility about the direction of Mid-East peace talks, a study on public opinion shows both sides ready for serious compromise.
Dealing with coup leaders – a lesson from Mali
Mali's government unexpectedly sends armed soldiers to arrest a former coup leader, something that probably should happen more often.
The World is Not Enough 