The World Today Archive

Islamic State gunmen brought death to the streets of Paris on November 13, leaving the European Union in a state of shock. This is a turning point at which Europe must decide how best to defend its way of life. The way forward should be guided by three principles: defending liberty, ensuring the equality of Muslim communities, and radically improving EU-wide security measures including exchange of information and defence of external borders

The complexity of Middle Eastern politics plays into terrorists’ hands. Detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia is required before Gulf States are likely to share western priorities in Syria

Agnes Frimston talks to the Egyptian author of more than 50 books including Woman at Point Zero and The Face of Eve. She is one of the BBC’s 100 inspirational women of 2015

The Iranian nuclear deal marks a rare diplomatic success in the Middle East and will see sanctions lifted. But the battle for the country's future will now be waged internally between reformers and hardliners

After the nuclear deal, Israel's focus shifts to the rising involvement of Iranian forces in Syria

Iran's new crop of female entrepreneurs worry what the lifting of sanctions will mean for their businesses

The cold war propagandist turned TV inquisitor tells Alan Philps about Russia’s imperial hangover and why Vladimir Putin won’t appear on his show

Negotiations with FARC are too advanced for anyone to step back now

Fifth-term blues: Belarus needs reform but its leader isn’t keen