SREBRENICA, BOSNIA, June 2008

Thirteen years after the end of its civil war, Bosnia Hercegovena is taking its first step (June 16th 2008) towards joining the European Union – by signing what is known as a stability and association agreement. It may well be another decade before Bosnia actually joins the EU – which sets up stringent economic and democratic benchmarks that countries have to meet before joining. As Humphrey Hawksley reports, though, the work to turn Bosnia from a land of genocidal conflict to a modern European nation is dogged, detailed and takes years – and it could be a blue-print for other failed states. […]

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KINMEN, TAIWAN, March 2008

As we saw images of China’s crackdown in Tibet this week, another rebellions Chinese province – Taiwan – risked the wrath of Beijing by asking voters to choose in a referendum whether it should apply to join the United Nations. China sees it as a hostile attempt at declaring independence and has – unusually – won the support of America in demanding that Taiwan backs off. […]

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BAGHDAD, IRAQ, January 2008

House prices on the up and increased banking business are not readily associated with Iraq. Yet as Humphrey Hawksley reports, there are entrepreneurs who see good times in the horizon.

“This is the entrance hall,” said Naimah Abdul Jabbah, throwing open a huge pair of wooden double doors.

“How much?”, I asked.

“$1m. Maybe some negotiation. But $1m, I reckon.” […]

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SKENDERAJ, KOSOVO, November 2007

The Serbian province of Kosovo is holding elections next week (November 16th) where full sovereign independence is an issue that none of the main parties disagree on. In 1999, NATO ended Serbian control of Kosovo after fears that the province of two million could spiral into ethnic cleansing. Since then Kosovo has been administered by the UN which remains supported by 16,000 NATO troops. Kosovo’s leaders say they plan to make a unilateral declaration of independence if a final round of negotiations with Serbia break down in December. Serbia says it won’t accept and now has the powerful backing of Russia, while the Kosovars believe they are supported by the United States. […]

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BELGRADE, SERBIA, October 2007

For nearly nine years, Kosovo has been run by the United Nations. Kosovo is now seeking independence from Serbia with help from the US, but Serbia and Russia are trying to block this attempt. […]

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MARYLAND, USA, September 2007

The US and UK governments are developing increasingly sophisticated gadgets to keep individuals under their surveillance. When it comes to technology, the US is determined to stay ahead of the game. […]

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FRAMINGTON, USA, June 2007

Heart disease kills more than 17 million people a year worldwide and a study that has been under way in the US since the end of World War II has played a crucial role in determining the way the medical profession approaches it today. […]

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BAGHDAD, IRAQ, May 2007

Four years after George Bush declared an end to ‘major combat operations in Iraq’ its parliamentary democracy is barely functioning. Members of the 275 member parliament face constant threats. No substantive legislation has been passed, but it has debated an international agreement on olive farming. The success of Iraq’s parliament is crucial if the country is to ever function on its own. […]

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BAGHDAD, IRAQ, May 2007

Four years after George Bush declared an end to ‘major combat operations in Iraq’ its parliamentary democracy is barely functioning. Members of the 275 member parliament face constant threats. No substantive legislation has been passed, but it has debated an international agreement on olive farming. The success of Iraq’s parliament is crucial if the country is to ever function on its own. […]

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LANCASTER, OHIO November 2006

America’s Republican party is bracing itself for sweeping losses in elections next week for state governors and members of Congress.  For the Presidential election two years ago I visited one of the key electoral battlegrounds, the small mid-west town of Lancaster, Ohio, to examine what President Bush George had to do to hold onto power. I went back to see how views had changed. […]

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