EU sanctions on Syria, a deterrent to further violence

By Samuel Perriman

Watching the chaos in Syria, it is only natural that the international community might be feeling somewhat impotent right now. Despite growing international condemnation and ever more aggressive rhetoric, including from once strong ally Turkey, the killing in Syria continues as it has done for the past half year. Read more of this post

Women vote in Saudi Arabia – a different kind of revolution?

By Jonathon Graham

Over the course of the Arab spring, Saudi Arabia has remained relatively unmoved by the turmoil that has engulfed North Africa and the Gulf region in recent months. Yet despite the lack of the extensive protests that have characterised the changing of the political guard in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and the current campaigns being waged in Yemen and Bahrain, the rigidly conservative Islamic kingdom has not been without its own unique stirrings of civil unrest. Read more of this post

Letter from the Editor 24 September 2011

By Laura MacPhee

Dear All,

I hope you are well and that you have had a good week. I know a number of you have had very busy weeks, which has made the site a little quieter, although we still had some excellent submissions. I was very pleased to see these and look forward to more contributions in the coming week. Read more of this post

Identifying the Primary Obstacles to Palestinian Statehood

By James Le Grice

On friday 23rd September, Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, will make his bid for Palestinian statehood to the United Nations Security Council, a move Mr. Abbas had threatened should the most recent round of negotiations with Israel fail. The UN bid is a sharp departure from the format of direct Israeli-Palestinian talks practised over the past two decades, and has drawn condemnation from the United States, which plans to use its veto. The bid also ignores the primary obstacles preventing Palestinian statehood. Read more of this post

Last day of a condemned man by Victor Hugo

By Emma Brooks

I recently decided to get back into reading more French books, and thought that it would be good to start with the classics. Originally looking for Les Misérables, I happened upon Last Day of a Condemned Man, which quite frankly looked much more friendly for a fresh start that the huge book of Les Misérables. So I picked it off the shelf and decided to start with a slightly tamer ambition than planned. Read more of this post

The enduring appeal of Richard Hamilton

By Cressida Smart

“He was always part of another art world from the Royal College of Art.” (David Hockney)

Richard Hamilton, British artist, passed away on Tuesday 13 September, aged 89.

A painter and printmaker born in London in 1922, Richard Hamilton studied at the Royal Academy Schools and the Slade School of Fine Art.  He initially made his living by making models and designing art exhibitions. Later he taught design at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London and the University of Durham in Newcastle-on-Tyne. Read more of this post

Letter from the Editor: 17 September 2011

By Laura MacPhee

Dear All,

I hope you are well and have had a good week. If you’ve been lucky enough to get some September sun, I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Read more of this post