The accession to power in Pyongyang of Kim Jong Un, son of Kim Jong Il and grandson of Kim Il Sung, is a unique achievement in world politics.

The intersection of religion and world politics has often been a bloody crossroads.

There are examples of fraternal dictatorships, or one, anyway: the passing of power from Fidel to Raul Castro.

Like all forms of collective security, multilateral sanctions require a unanimity rarely achieved in international politics.

If you have a new son or grandson in 2006, name him Tony.

In critical ways, Obama has reversed not just Bush policy but every president's approach to the world since the Second World War, save for that of his soulmate Jimmy Carter.