The substantial motorcade of the 'humble' Ugandan president, Norway looks to turn Quatar's desert green and a new bridge betwen Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Chinese contemporary artist Yue Minjun may command millions for his paintings overseas but at home he is dogged by a growing trade in cheap copies of his work. While Microsoft, Louis Vuitton and Hollywood studios have been…

Welcome to Monocle’s annual round-up of 20 people who we think deserve a bigger stage. We cover diverse professions from shoe designers to politicians because we believe it’s not only the grand scale that matters, but the…

It’s been a bad start to the year for Afghanistan. As reports claim it is heading for failed-state status, the Taliban continues to defy US and Nato-led troops. President Karzai is increasingly frustrated with US and Bri…

Winner of Afghanistan’s only Olympic medal, taekwondo athlete Rohullah Nikpai is a sporting icon. Yet, in a country where violence occurs everyday, winning the respect of his fellow countrymen means almost as much.

Since the War in Afghanistan began in 2001, Nato, US and Afghan troops have attempted to restore order in the country. Yet today 10 per cent of the nation is in Taliban hands, the drug trade is rife and suicide bombers are…

The Tajik-Afghan border is one of the most dangerous in the world because of its central role in the heroin trade and potential as a smuggling route for WMDs. Can it ever be tamed? Well, the US, Iran, the EU and China are…