Alex Duval Smith
Arms and the man
The defence industry is intertwined with politics and nationhood. Ivor Ichikowitz is a man at the heart of all three in Africa but don’t call him an arms dealer; he insists on good intentions.
Africa/Middle East
Our column from Pretoria looks at how South Africa is manoeuvering itself into a world-power position. Plus elections in Seychelles, educating ultra-orthodox children in Israel and demanding change in Lebanon.
Africa/Middle East
Israel's glut of lawyers, the South Africans taking a stand against cheap imported clothes, and preparations for elections in the Central African Republic.
Africa/Middle East
Why leopard skins and white trainers are de rigueur for South African president Jacob Zuma, and the first stirrings of a spa revolution in Saudi Arabia.
2009 forecast
The Copenhagen Climate Conference, upcoming elections in rogue states and expert opinion on a new presidency in South Africa.
