South Asia

Hatred of Ahmadis behind Pakistan protests

The protests that paralyzed Islamabad and other Pakistani cities were ostensibly sparked by changes to the oath of office, eliminating text recognizing Mohammed as God's final prophet. But behind this was orthodox Sunni fear of the Ahmadiyya Muslim sect, which holds that 19th century founder Mirza Gulam Ahmed was the last prophet. As the protests mounted, Ahmadi Muslims faced threats across Pakistan, the Islamic world and the diaspora.

Europe

‘Car Intifada’ comes to England?

As the commentariat debates whether the London SUV attack was terrorism or the work of an apolitical loner, both sides will overlook the critical factor of car culture.

Planet Watch

UN moves to outlaw nuclear weapons in 2017

The UN adopted a resolution—hailed by disarmament campaigners as an important landmark—to launch negotiations in 2017 on a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons.

North Africa

Libya: against imperial retrospectivity

The glee with which "anti-war" voices have greeted the British parliament's critical report on the Libya intervention betrays unseemly schadenfreude over the post-Qaddafi chaos.

Europe

Break-up of United Kingdom impending?

The Brexit may signal the beginning of the dissolution of the UK, renewing calls for Scottish independence, a united Ireland, and even for London to secede as a free city-state.

North Africa

Britain prepares Libya intervention

The UK is preparing to send troops to Tunisia to help prevent ISIS fighters from entering the country from Libya—and has broached direct intervention in Libya itself.

North Africa

Libya: Europe’s looming ‘Vietnam’?

Amid continued confused multi-factional warfare in Libya, the hard-right UK Independence Party warned that the North African country could be the "EU's Vietnam."

Greater Middle East

Putin pries Western leaders from anti-Assad stance

British Prime Minister David Cameron is now the first Western leader to take Vladimir Putin's bait in agreeing that Bashar Assad can be part of a Syrian "transition government."