Published by The Independent (13th April, 2015) It is not exactly surprising, but Hillary Clinton has confirmed what everyone already knew: she wants to be president of the United States. […]
Africa / Aid / United States / World
When will our politicians realise Africa has changed?
Published by The Independent (4th August, 2014) The dominant headlines out of Africa are as depressing as always in the Western media: a terrifying disease on the rampage, […]
Europe / European Union / Politics / Russia / Ukraine
Ukraine and the shame of Europe
Published by The Wall Street Journal (22nd May, 2014) There are flickers of hope that calm can descend again on Eastern Europe. We are told that those threatening […]
Arts / Books / China / United States / World
Sunny side up
Published in The Observer (February 23rd 2014) The Upside of Down by Charles Kenny (Basic Books) During the last United States presidential election, the then-rising Republican star Chris […]
Aid / China / World
World hunger has fallen. Now what do we do about the planet’s expanding waistline?
Published in The Independent (January 11th, 2014) In the year of my birth China was engulfed in the worst famine of modern history. One chronicler remembers rushing home […]
Policy / Politics
The tide is turning against homophobia
Published in The Guardian (December 27th, 2013) In Uganda, two people who have sex could end up serving life sentences in prison if they happen to be the […]
Crime / Policy / United States / World
Oddly, Texas can teach the UK a thing or two on criminal justice
Published in The Guardian (November 21st, 2011) Hang ’em high Texas is not the first place you might look for lessons in criminal justice. The lone star state […]
Afghanistan / Arts / Books / World
The day that shook the world
Published in The Observer (September 11th, 2011) The Eleventh Day by Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan (Doubleday); The 9/11 Wars by Jason Burke (Allen Lane); Granta 116: Ten […]
Arts / Books / United States / World
The other Barack: Bigamist, drunk and wife-beater
Published in the Daily Mail (August 12th, 2011) The Other Barack by Sally H. Jacobs (Public Affairs) Shortly after being elected first black president of Harvard Law Review, […]
Pakistan / World
The troubling aftermath of Bin Laden’s killing
Published in The Mail on Sunday (May 8th, 2011) It was a scene familiar from coffee bars around the world. A student in designer clothes tapping away on […]
Travel / United States / World
Mississippi yearning: driving down America’s Great River Road
Published in The Guardian (December 4th, 2010) As we nudged the Mustang on to the vast metal bridge spanning the Mississippi, a glorious sunset broke behind us, shading […]
United States
This award is premature – and potentially very foolish
Published in The Independent (October 10th, 2009) When Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, the American humourist Tom Lehrer declared that political satire was […]