Sasha Issenberg
World class
In diplomatic schools across the globe a fresh generation of young thinkers are learning how to improve international relations from the institutions that spawned today’s political heavyweights.
Americas
A party in disarray, riven by ideological splits, torn between populist impulses and its donor class’s economic interest, with glaring electoral deficiencies and no leader to unify the bunch: meet the Democrats, circa 2016.
Expo 26: In for the high jump
Inspired by the Commonwealth Games, Portugal created the Jogos da Lusofonia. In a world of soft power, athletes are the new ambassadors for nations of the former Portuguese empire.
Americas
In our View from Washington, we look at one of Barack Obama's many dilemmas: whether to allow visitors from friendly countries to land on US soil without a visa.
First lady
Bahrain’s Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo has broken the diplomatic mould as a Jewish woman representing an Arab country. Relations with Iran and encouraging US investment in Bahrain occupy much of her time.
Expo 29: How I Govern
From Nagasaki to Washington, Monocle chronicles how a diverse group of presidents and mayors manage, from dealing with poverty and provincial wars to taking power naps and holding 'noodle' meetings.
On the money
How come some nations’ banks glided through the global banking crisis unscathed? Do we even need money? But what if it’s forged? Three writers deposit their accounts.
Expo 41: The banished world
The notion of exile often evokes a more romantic era but for many leaders, a life banished from their homeland still beckons (fancy hosting a despised Tunisian president anyone?).
Into the wild
Serving the No Return Wilderness Area, Salmon Air carries passengers seeking a taste of the outdoors, and the odd llama. The skilled pilots undergo intensive training to deal with the challenging airstrips.
