Dispatches

Alvaro Uribe has brought prosperity to Colombia, and is now up for “re-re-election”. But the legacy of political chaos will continue to be felt, says Vanessa Neumann

‘A mock funfair with absurdist theatre and the return of ideologues of 40 years ago — is that the new era of change and hope?’

‘Unfortunately, most Hungarians expect their politicians to be on the take and that’s because many of them are. I’d love to name names, but I’m not in the mood for litigation’

A new outburst of anti-Semitism in Paris has brought violence out from the banlieues into the heart of Paris

Although previously banned, Tariq Ali’s books can now be read anywhere in Pakistan. In the aftermath of the jihadist attacks in Mumbai and on the Sri Lankan cricket team, will the Brit-Pak’s fluent words offer any solutions to the problems there?

‘Then the beating began. One of the new arrivals punched Christopher hard in the face. Two others grabbed his arm and started dragging him across the street. For the first time the Hitch looked scared’

Standpoint‘s Writer-At-Large visits the slums of Mumbai to assess the Oscar-winning film

A new documentary made in Afghanistan has won two awards at the the Sundance Film Festival. Afghan Star could help the cause of feminism there and encourage a desperately-needed sense of national community