5:13pm

Nigeria backs offensive against militants

Public backs president’s crackdown but few analysts believe it is a lasting solution

May 19, 2013

Turkey foresees end of post-Ottoman order

Ankara diplomats prepare for possible break-up of bits of the Middle East, says David Gardner

Chancellor Angela Merkel ©Reuters May 16, 2013

Small parties pose big threat to Merkel

German chancellor’s chance of election defeat unsettles supporters

May 15, 2013

‘Abenomics’ yet to convince business

Carmakers expanded production during the last period of yen weakness, only to be burnt when the yen shot up

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ©AFP May 14, 2013

Iranian elections create pain for regime

Wild card candidates confuse attempts to orchestrate vote

Pakistan's incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif speaks to journalists at his farm house in Raiwind on the outskirts of Lahore ©Getty May 13, 2013

Sharif to stay close to Pakistan generals

Army still has coup d’état as a weapon of last resort

May 12, 2013

Shrinking deficit alters political battle

It is hard to remember how US politicians behaved without such an overriding concern

©AFP May 9, 2013

Chinese cyber spies mean business, says Pentagon

US defence report lifts lid on China’s expanding power

Chris the Redeemer ©Dreamstime May 8, 2013

Brazil diplomacy wins – now the hard part

Revival of Doha trade round will be a vital test for Azevêdo at WTO

May 7, 2013

‘Chinese tsunami’ leaves Najib in a bind

Surge in support for the People’s Alliance party in the election leaves PM with a governing challenge

May 6, 2013

Israeli strikes play into Assad’s hands

Some moderates see the attacks as part of a western-conceived attempt to destroy Syria

May 5, 2013

Twists ahead for Italy’s left-right coalition

Rome asked how it plans to finance planned €10bn tax cuts and rise in social welfare spending

May 2, 2013

North Africa cannot export jihadist problem

Governments try to stop Islamic militants heading to Syria to fight the regime

May 1, 2013

Going on road is one avenue Obama has

President needs to circumvent Congress to get his agenda moving

Apr 30, 2013

Distress of Europe’s anti-austerity left

A collective howl of protest and despair will resound through Europe’s streets at the annual May 1 rallies

Apr 29, 2013

House of Orange thrives amid Dutch anti-elitism

Willem-Alexander’s ascension to the throne will be marked by an outpouring of popular enthusiasm

From GLOBAL ECONOMY Apr 28, 2013

New US GDP measure is still an art form

Net benefit of economy to the people remains opaque

Apr 25, 2013

Beijing concern over volunteer aid response

Charities and civic groups represent subtle political challenge

Apr 24, 2013

The accidental truth of austerity Europe

Voter outrage sparks José Manuel Barroso’s concerns about eurozone belt-tightening

Apr 23, 2013

Frigide takes heat off Hollande in gay Paree

Gay marriage, not the economy, is causing street protests