In the first of a two-part essay examining the background to the recent terrorist attack in Iran, Daniel Pye looks at the US government's employment of proxy armies or 'surrogates' in its bid for strategic control of the Middle East.
Lack of popular participation in the political process is both a cause and an effect of the present crisis, as Rick Wolff explains.
Ramzy Baroud on the reductionist caricatures which underpin the supposed 'clash of civilizations' between the West and Islam.
Tamara Pearson on the results of a recent survey which suggests high approval ratings for Chavez, but relatively low ratings for his party.
Delivering the 2009 Caroline Benn Memorial Lecture, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell hailed the ongoing defiance of the world's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the face of deeply-entrenched homophobic prejudice.
Steve Jones on the deteriorating state of the British economy under New Labour's so-called 'third way'.
US representative Peter Galbraith was recalled by the United Nations after a row over the disputed Afghan election, as Rupert Cornwell explains.
Will the Obama administration break with tradition and provide US support for democracy in Latin America? Probably not, if the Honduras coup is anything to go by, says Ramzy Baroud.
Jennifer Drew on how London's mayor reneged on an election promise of funding for Rape Crisis Centres in London.
Steven Littlewood spoke with prominent Afghan pro-democracy campaigner Malalai Joya about elections, imperialism and the turmoil in Afghanistan.