A definition of Swiss neutrality remains elusive, but at least the debate has begun
Worldview: The Swiss maintain that it is precisely the defence of a neutral state that requires it to maintain a large and heavily equipped army
Patrick Smyth
Patrick Smyth columns
No wonder Americans are flocking to see Civil War. Many believe a civil war is coming
Following the assault on Congress on January 6th, 2021, is the prospect of war really that far-fetched?
Postponement of Senegal election a further sign of West Africa’s ominous drift from democracy
Senegal has long been considered an example of stability in West Africa
Could a Holy Land confederation offer a path to peace?
Ordinary people on both sides have lost faith in the two-state solution. But one variation worthy of consideration is the idea of close Israeli-Palestinian confederation
Brazil riots demonstrate democracy’s resilience not vulnerability
Failure of mob actions linked to Trump and Bolsonaro prove totalitarian alternatives may not be viable as the tide is turning
Russia must be called out on veto abuse in UN Security Council
General perception that even talking about the veto’s abolition is pointless needs to be challenged
Ukraine brings EU and US under Biden closer but China still divides
Getting the Europeans to sing from the same hymn sheet as the hawkish US over China will not be as easy as improving security co-operation
Patrick Smyth: Right-wing populists are finding that a comeback sometimes isn’t an option
The Tory libertarian right has been destroyed by the failures of Johnson and Truss, while Donald Trump’s return looks less certain by the day
Patrick Smyth: EU has the power stop Meloni from acting like Truss
Shaking off the constraints of EU membership has certainly given Britain new freedom, but a freedom, it appears, to commit economic hara-kiri
A win for Lula in Brazil would see Latin America swing further to the left
If Lula becomes president, the region’s six largest economies will be run by socialist leaders
Moldova watches Ukraine onslaught with grim sense of foreboding
There is widespread concern that Kyiv will not be enough for Vladimir Putin
20 years on: How The Irish Times covered the events of September 11th, 2001
Newspaper’s US correspondent was an eyewitness to the full horrors of 9/11
Bloody Sunday 1920: Who were Michael Collins’s hit team ‘The Squad’?
12 regular assassins were assisted by part-timers for ‘jobs’ including Bloody Sunday
Suzanne Lynch’s US Election Diary: When will Biden declare victory, how will Trump respond?
Democratic candidate makes inroads into president’s lead in Georgia and Pennsylvania overnight
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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