The dragon disturbed
What is in store for China in 2003? The People's Republic has blended continuity with incremental reforms to create a promising future, writes Kai-Alexander Schlevogt

Smiles all around
Pakistan and Iran have managed to put their deep-seated differences aside in pursuit of a joint bid for peace and regional stability, reports Iffat Malik from Islamabad

Play it again Sam
For the time being, North Korea remains unafraid of US sabre rattling, writes Faiza Rady

Kenya's comeuppance
The 27 December Kenyan elections and smooth transfer of power to the opposition marked another milestone on the road to African democratisation, writes Gamal Nkrumah

More blasts and martyrs
The blasting of the pro-Moscow Chechen administration in Grozny highlights Russian incompetence in containing the Chechen struggle for independence, reports Shohdy Naguib from Moscow