(This story has been corrected to make clear, in the fourth paragraph, that it was Shushkevich who fell victim to an anti-corruption drive, and not Lukashenko, who was a former state farm boss.) By Elaine Monaghan Twenty-one years ago, I learned the true meaning of...
A century ago, Azerbaijan declared independence, becoming the first democratic state in the Muslim world. First meeting of the parliament of the Azerbaijan Democractic Republic, 7 December 1918 (Wikimedia Commons) One century ago today, a small colony of the Russian...
The victory of a nationalist in Iraq’s elections has hit Iran’s interests and begs the question of whether Tehran’s influence in the Middle East has peaked. Supporters of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr celebrate his election win in Baghdad, Iraq, 14...
Autocrat or nation-builder? Malaysia’s Mahathir still stirs mixed feelings even as he stuns the world by regaining power and reuniting with his nemesis. Mahathir Mohamad, left, and Anwar Ibrahim in September 1997, a year before the prime minister sacked his...
A Sicilian court has ruled politicians and police encouraged deadly car bomb attacks, shining a light into Italy’s long and bloody fight against the Mafia. Wreckage after a car bomb killed anti-Mafia judge Giovanni Falcone near Palermo, Sicily, 23 May 1992. (AP Photo)...