Articles

A by-election in Northern England highlights the corrosive atrophying of the UK body politic, Paul Mason writes. Paul Mason* Last week’s by-election in Batley & Spen, an old Yorkshire manufacturing town with a Labour tradition and a large postwar South-Asian Muslim population, has opened up a new chapter in post-Brexit politics. With …

The alliance concluded at last week’s Baghdad Summit between Egypt, Iraq and Jordan should result in a long list of accomplishments once its full potential is realised. Nevine Mosaad* The leaders of Egypt, Iraq and Jordan converged in Baghdad last week for a Tripartite Summit meeting meant to foster economic …

The EU needs to engage in a paradigm shift on the Israel-Palestine conflict if it is not to be left behind by events. Andrea Dessì* Much ink has already been spilled on the causes, impact and implications of the latest escalation of violence in Israel and occupied Palestine. There is …

As the ownership of firms becomes transferred to algorithmically controlled index funds, why not put their human employees in charge instead? Bo Rothstein* History shows us nothing is forever. Sooner or later, most social systems bite their tails. The saying that each system contains the seeds of its own downfall …

Kate Pickett argues the pandemic has not only massively affected public health but compounded the unhealthy effects of years of job insecurity. Kate Pickett* A recent article in the Guardian by a financial adviser recommended setting up several bank accounts for one’s personal finances. The advice, all sensible, was to help people manage their …

James Zogby* Netanyahu’s 15 years as prime minister have come to an end, but his legacy lives on. If there were questions about what exactly that legacy might be, the never-shy Bibi was quick to list his accomplishments in a “valedictory speech” before the Knesset. In Trump-like fashion, he boasted …

Jayati Ghosh unpicks the G7 summit in England and finds an anachronistic coalition failing to meet global responsibilities. Jayati Ghosh* What exactly does the G7 want? On the surface that should be evident: the informal political forum, consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United …

With the election of a hardliner as Iranian president, eight years of European thinking that Tehran could be a partner will come to an end. It is time for the EU to address not only the nuclear file but also regional security threats. Cornelius Adebahr* In Iran, political fortunes can …

A new transatlantic relationship is critical to any hope for global realisation of the goals of the Paris agreement. Delara Burkhardt* It takes two to tango, at least according to a popular English proverb. Although less sensual and rhythmic, we probably saw the beginning of a new international climate-policy dance …

On the eve of the 2021 Iranian presidential elections Mehrdad Khonsari discuss the struggle in Tehran for a prospective open democratic future free from the shackles of the current theocratic meritocracy. Mehrdad Khonsari In a recent TV interview with BBC Persian, I was asked by the host to explain, in …