The Gillard government wants the constitutional power to fund local government directly. Here’s why that’s a bad idea.

John Kerry goes to Moscow and emerges with some hopeful news for Syria. There’s a long way to go, but at least the essential first step has been taken.

A new NRA president is the cue for another look at the Republican Party’s debt to the deep south.

Veteran anti-independence leader Gaston Flosse is back in charge in French Polynesia, but ongoing corruption charges mean that his tenure is far from assured.

An analysis of Malaysia’s electoral results shows how the government won. (Hint: it wasn’t by winning more votes.)

Prime minister Najib Tun Razak has been re-elected in Malaysia, but even with all the advantages of a compliant electoral system it’s doubtful whether he won the majority of votes.

An unsuccessful vote on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland demonstrates Sinn Féin’s willingness to defy the Catholic church, raising hopes that Ireland may be on the way to a less sectarian party system.

Local elections in the UK don’t tell you a great deal. But whatever their message is this week, it’s bad for David Cameron.

Tomorrow brings what is probably Malaysia’s most competitive ever election. As usual, Australia’s support for democracy is at best lukewarm.

Sandra Day O’Connor, who indirectly gave us the Iraq war and much else, now seems to regret her role. Better late than never.