Sophie Grove
Patriot games
On the Turkish border with Syria, an international Nato force sits quietly awaiting a conflict that may never come. But the heavy-duty weaponry on show says half the battle is about coming prepared.
Business
China heads to Australia on the hunt for arable land and Germany goes back to boat-building basics.
Makers & Shakers
For the second in this month’s special round-table series we talked with four businessmen about craftsmanship, manufacturing and the importance of where things are made.
10 essays
For our double issue we’ve augmented our Essays section to cover a whole host of subjects: everything from online terrorism to overly obedient road-crossers is covered.
Better together
You don’t have to do it all alone. Make sure you know who to call whether you are running for re-election, rebuilding your city or rethinking your retail business in 2013.
Work in progress
From food-loving French taking long lunch breaks to workaholic Japanese businessmen, the world continues to approach office culture in very different ways.
From language revival to land rights: the Sámi’s fight for influence in the Nordic north
Finland’s new Sami parliament building is a proud symbol for the indigenous people of Europe’s north, marking a century-long journey from a struggling culture to a thriving and resilient community.
Diplomacy
An interview with the Geneva-based, football-playing Brazilian permanent representative to the WTO.
Special relations
The African Union’s gleaming new HQ in Addis Ababa, a gift from China, is proof of the Asian giant’s growing clout. But the Germans are in on the act too.
Best of the best
Good medical care is about more than mending broken bones – it also fixes nations. These are the countries and people building healthier states.
