Megan Gibson
Nothing but the truth
From skateboarding in Illinois to covert filming in the suburbs of Damascus, documentary films are enjoying mass-market appeal – and cashing in at the box office too. We meet the genre’s talents.
French lessons
From political machinations and getting the hang of thinking like a local to freedom of the press and a love of flirting, our writers reveal what makes France tick.
Freedom of speech
Author Leïla Slimani discusses identity, ridiculous people and politics – themes from her own life, as well as her novels.
Bonjour, tout le monde
French influence spans the globe, be it the wine you drink, the car you drive or the clothes you wear. It’s soft power with a swagger and Breton stripe too.
Diplomacy
A triple whammy of headaches for the eurozone and an odd couple get friendly in the Middle East.
Defence
Bulgaria beefs up its airforce, Turkey adds to its missile stocks and Greece tightens its coastal security.
Diplomacy
Australia’s ambassador to Poland and why Canada’s world-stage win isn’t helping at home.
Defence
Canada’s pilot conundrum, Sweden takes subs seriously and the US loosens rules for foreign recruits.
Politics
An old party in the Netherlands making new changes, Filipino activists and Trump’s fake news.
Inside Finland’s state-backed pursuit of happiness
According to the UN, Finns live in the world’s happiest nation. Decades of government-led tweaks to Finnish life have conjured a surprising level of contentment, making the country a social experiment.
