The Gulf States and a fourth Gulf War

Internal upheaval has delayed Iran’s response, due this month (September), to the US offer of nuclear talks. The response of the international community to Iran's ongoing nuclear programme will be observed with keen interest by Gulf Arab neighbours whose attitude is governed by the overriding desire to constrain Iran’s regional role. This raises questions as to what options are open to them,...

A sign of things to come? Ethnic tensions spark new challenges for Chinese government

The recent riots in the capital of Xinjiang province in China involving the Muslim Uighurs have focused attentions once more on ethnic divisions inside China. In the sixtieth year of the People’s Republic, is this is a worrying sign of things to come or a wake up call for the government? By assessing the actions taken by the CCP leadership, one can get a better picture of China’s ethnic policies...

Cautious confidence: terror threat levels lowered

Margaret Gilmore

The threat level to the UK from international terrorism has been reduced from ‘severe’ to ‘substantial’: the lowest it has been for more than four years. The move suggests there is cautious confidence within the security agencies.