The World Today

Hundreds of western volunteers have entered Iraq intending to serve as human shields to prevent the targeting of power stations, water purification facilities, hospitals and other non-military facilities. One group camped in the conference room of the South Baghdad Power Plant, some fifty yards from the main generator hall – a prime target for air attack if ever there was one, some might think.

The secretive world of North Korea has opened up remarkably in the last decade. Discovering how decisions are made there has not been so straightforward, but none were better placed to try than Jim Hoare who, as Britain’s man in Pyongyang, set up its embassy there.

America’s difficulty as the most powerful state in the world, in handling one of the weakest, North Korea – despite its supposed nuclear weapon capability – may not have many historical precedents, but it has been long anticipated by students of international relations. Strength from weakness is no paradox to game-theorists who first saw this strange phenomenon at work in Cold War-era NATO, as small member states cheerfully ensured that a baffled and irritated US always paid more than its fair share into the common defence kitty.

While the numbers of asylum seekers entering Britain are hitting record levels, and the government is pledged to cut asylum applications significantly, there is concern about a new European Union policy which could lead to the forced deportation of those who have arrived from Afghanistan. They are already the third largest national asylum-seeking group here.

With a cluster of key dates this month for the enlargement of the European Union, it might seem that the journey towards a unified Europe is almost over. But new and old members have problems to face.

In an uncertain international economic climate, any political leader would be grateful to inherit a vibrant economy. China’s Wen Jiabao is in such a lucky position. But he will be judged by how well he deals with difficult decisions over state enterprises and land ownership. Future growth depends on it.