Simon Tisdall's world briefing
Erdoğan's draconian new law demolishes Turkey's EU ambitions
The president’s targeting of opposition parties has shattered any illusions that Turkey is a western-style democracy
Nascent peace deal at risk amid Philippines' political uncertainty
An accord with moderates to end a Muslim insurgency that has claimed 150,000 lives may not survive in looming power vacuum
Turkey-EU refugees deal may be biggest casualty of Erdoğan supremacy
Forced departure of pro-EU PM comes at particularly bad time for Syria and will add to EU unease with strongman president
Moqtada al-Sadr: who is the cleric directing Iraq's protests?
Charismatic Shia cleric has recast himself as upholder of the country’s democratic process and a bulwark against Isis
Obama's Hanover talks unlikely to yield new line on vexed issues
US president expected to discuss Syria, Isis, the refugee crisis and Libya with French, German, Italian and British leaders
Obama’s pro-Europe credentials are under more scrutiny than ever
US president vowed fresh start with Europe after Bush years but has often seemed detached about EU
Opulence and paranoia as Saudi king visits Turkey
King Salman and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have much in common, and trip is seen as a pivotal moment in countries’ relations
Erdoğan is a problematic partner but EU needs Turkey's help
Takeover of opposition newspaper was Erdoğan giving Brussels the finger on eve of summit, and other issues have gone largely unchallenged too
Somalia attacks signal escalation of al-Shabaab offensive
Jihadi group aims to distrupt elections, undermine confidence in international peacekeepers and bring down western-backed government
Refugees are becoming Russia's weapon of choice in Syria
Turkey sees targeting of civilian hubs as a deliberate attempt to create mass outflow of people and vacuum for pro-Assad forces to fill
Bullish Vladimir Putin is running rings around the west in Syria
As US and its allies cling to hopes of a settlement, Russian president is changing facts on the ground – like he did in Ukraine
Democracy falters in south-east Asia as Malaysia's PM cleared of corruption
End of investigation into $681m payment to Najib Razak adds to fears for freedoms across the region, but international condemnation remains muted
Jakarta attack the latest step in Islamic State's global expansion plans
Isis responds to recent setbacks in Syria and Iraq by unleashing an international campaign of almost daily terrorist raids
Uganda's president epitomises Africa's perceived democratic deficit
In seeking a fifth consecutive term in office, Yoweri Museveni perpetuates abuses pioneered by the continent’s post-colonial ‘big men’
Afghanistan highlights a history of chaotic western intervention
The latest reverses and the past 14 years tell the story of how the US and its Nato allies have struggled to create the peace envisaged in 2001
Myanmar's decision is clear. But will the military let Aung San Suu Kyi govern?
Her NLD party may have won the general election in a landslide, but Aung San Suu Kyi’s enemies from the junta era still hold the keys to power
Bangkok bombing wrongfoots Thailand's junta
The lack of any claim of responsibility for the deadly attack has added to the political uncertainty as tensions grow over delays to elections
Sanctions against Iran crumble as America wrangles over the nuclear deal
EU government ministers and business leaders are racing to begin new era of cooperation with Tehran – regardless of what US and Israeli sceptics say
US deal with Turkey over Isis may go beyond simple use of an airbase
Ankara’s understanding with Washington may do more than allow the US to use Incirlik from next month
US ransom policy shift undermines UK's hardline stance
Barack Obama’s decision may put Americans at greater risk, fuel hostage price inflation and raise pressure on UK to save its citizens in the same way
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