In the Spotlight

Health Policy Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: National and International Perspectives

Health policy development is a fundamental weakness of resource sapped governments in Africa. This article provides an overview of key issues and a potential roadmap for future action. By Doyin Oluwole.

Paraguay: New Government Faces Elite Resistance

Reflecting a growing shift to the left across Latin America, the April 20 election of Lugo put an end to the rightwing Colorado Party's six-decade-long grip on power. By Kiraz Janicke.

The Western Balkans Will Make or Break the EU

With its eastern borders shut down, for the time being, the European Union must move its attention to the Western Balkans—where the expansion of union membership is crucial to maintain stabilization. By Anton Caragea.

Mapuches and Students Bear Brunt of Violence by Carabineros

Eighteen years after the end of the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship, cases of police abuse—far from being an issue of the past—appear to be on the rise in Chile. By Benjamin Witte.

Russian-Georgian Conflict Impacts Middle East

Although the Russo-Georgian military clash appears over, its ramifications will be felt for a long time, especially as the political crisis between the two countries remains unresolved.
By Rayyan al-Shawaf.

Hope Rekindled Among the Desperate in Zimbabwe

Hope has been resuscitated among long-suffering Zimbabweans after a power-sharing deal between President Robert Mugabe and his rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, was announced late on Sept. 11.
From IRIN.

The Smiles of Sept. 11

The dust and debris had yet to settle fully over lower Manhattan, more than 12,000 miles away, when I began to notice the smiles—and, even more distressingly, the laughter.
By Joseph Kirschke.

The Next Cuban Missile Crisis?

In a move that undoubtedly set off alarm bells in Washington, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced that Venezuelan and Russian ships could soon hold joint naval exercises in the Caribbean. By Nikolas Kozloff.