The World Today

Any chance of success in stemming the nuclear weapons proliferation threat from Iran will require international consensus on a firm strategy to change Tehran’s calculations of the costs and benefits.

The temporary closure of several western embassies in Amman is a stark reminder of continued security concerns. Jordan had long feared that a terror attack would shake the kingdom.

Freedom of Speech, by Eric Barendt, published by Oxford University Press (2005)

Packed clubs and bars across Kampala did a roaring trade at the turn of the year with Ugandans celebrating the city’s reputation as the party capital of east Africa. Those living in Britain, the United States and Canada were drawn home in record numbers to dance the holidays away. It seemed hard to believe that this country is, as some say, now balanced on a knife edge approaching what is expected to be the most desperately fought election in its history. The only clue to the end of the era lay in the armoured personnel carriers slinking through the streets, and the soldiers with gas masks taking up position on street corners.

Worries about energy supplies have been a constant foreign policy undercurrent during George Bush’s US presidency. But now the anxiety is much closer to home with threats from Latin America. The election of Evo Morales as President of Bolivia has compounded concern about the policies of his opposite number in Venezuela – Hugo Chávez.

Argentina has repaid its entire debt to the International Monetary Fund in a grand gesture that weakens international influence over policy. But as President Nestor Kirchner cements his control, he still needs to deal with investment problems, poverty, and spiralling inflation. Since the devastating economic crisis in 2001-2002 the country has experienced a remarkable economic resurgence. But this is not all the result of sound economic policy. Significant sections of the population are yet to benefit. Strong growth has confounded critics who predicted hard times, but there are growing concerns over just how robust the economy really is.