Articles by Charles Richardson

The G8 communiqué calls for peace talks, a political solution and a democratic Syria. Unfortunately it leaves us none the wiser about how to get there.

A set-to between Jon Chait and Rand Paul has an important moral. Democrats should get over their fear of limited government, and libertarians should get over their fear of democracy.

Mass protests in Brazil echo those of a fortnight ago in Turkey, but the government’s response so far has been very different. Rhetoric isn’t everything, but it matters.

Arizona tries to make it harder for people to enrol to vote, but the Supreme Court says no.

The Turkish protest movement has failed to bring down the government, but it may have laid the groundwork for a more effective democratic opposition.

The Czech Republic loses its prime minister to a sensational scandal involving sex, gold and espionage. Early elections are possible.

A moderate victory in Iran poses a test for theocrat Ali Khamenei.

Moderate candidate Hassan Rouhani has a big early lead in Iran’s presidential election. Here’s how to follow along with the count.

Iran’s presidential election looks as if it might be more exciting than anyone expected, with a surge in support for the most moderate candidate and the chance of a runoff next week.

Italy’s centre-left finally gets some good news, but its populist movement is facing the sort of problems that typically plague amateurs in politics.