This May Day Bulletin looks at TIBET, comparing for one thing how the police approach 'manifestations' in Paris and Lhasa. But more weightily, after a briefing in Dharamsala, we look at what the Tibetans are seeking to achieve - and it's not independence.
DESERT BOMB?
In the declining months of the Bush administration, we examine the Syrian bomb story that came so late and so shakily. Our specialist analysts for both SYRIA and NORTH KOREA, separately offer their 'take' on the story, the background, and the implications. We believe it to be a more insightful approach than that of the mass media and indeed, of some broadsheets.
RUSSIA HAS A NEW PRESIDENT THIS MONTH
We believe that Medvedev as an economist, will prioritise his attention on Russia's version of the 'Oil Curse' and look at the challenges he faces.
OGEC IS GETTING CLOSER
We may have been the first, some years ago to predict that Putin's objective for RUSSIA was to form and lead a world gas cartel on the lines of OPEC.
Our reports on SAUDI ARABIA and LIBYA show how that is getting closer.
GEORGIA PAYS THE PRICE FOR KOSOVO
Putin made it crystal clear and has now done it. If the west backed Kosovo's UDI, Russia would do the same for Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We observe that poor GEORGIA pays the price.
JUSTICE IN UKRAINE
The murder in 2000 of a courageous Ukrainian investigative journalist, commissioned by the then president - as the world heard from a clandestine tape, has brought about the arrest of the 'security policemen' who appear to have done the dirty deed, eight years afterwards.
AGONIES OF THE BRITISH LEFT
We look at the damage that New Labour, abetted in all essentials by the Conservatives, have done to the reputation Britain once had, for legal probity, democracy and fair play. And where does it leave those of their supporters who look for principle in their politics?
WESTERN ASIA
Looking this month at IRAQ, PAKISTAN and AFGHANISTAN, we see problems getting larger rather than smaller. PAKISTAN'S new civilian government seek to make peace with the tribals on their border with AFGHANISTAN. If they succeed, these militant tribemen with no Pakistani army restraining them, will be free to surge into AFGHANISTAN. IRAQ has more problems than can be summarized here, but our Overview and updated country report, tells how PM al-Maliki has been using the national army and police to take down the Sadrists, without much success. Progress however on the Oil Law front – the key to IRAQ's economic future.
WHO WILL LEAD CENTRAL ASIA?
Our reports on KAZAKSTAN and UZBEKISTAN seek to conclude which of these FSU rivals will be likely to come out on top in this vast region. An interesting and informative overview from two perspectives.
INDIA SCOLDS THE USA
Having had 'helpful' suggestions, publicly offered by the US State Department on how to handle the late April visit of Iranian President Ahmadinejad, INDIA's External Affairs Ministry offered in return a rebuke to this 229 year old 'newcomer' : that INDIA and IRAN had established diplomatic relations over many centuries, time out of mind, and New Delhi and Tehran did not need their hands holding when having discussions. More significantly, INDIA believes the USA to be flat wrong in its policy of not engaging IRAN in diplomatic discussions. We also look at that in the light of Churchill's maxim, "jaw-jaw is better than war-war".
For all of the above, and much more
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