Inside Story discusses the growing tension between Iraq and Syria as Nouri al-Maliki is ratcheting up his rhetoric against Damascus over last month’s deadly attacks in Baghdad. Other than fighting so-called terrorism, what are the other reasons behind Iraq’s verbal assault on Damascus? And does it have to do with the political rivalries in Iraq itself?
Latin America, like many parts of the world, is continuing to struggle with the global recession. The United Nations estimates poverty is increasing as countries report rising unemployment figures.
But there are growing concerns in Argentina that the government is manipulating the official statistics on poverty.
Many people there say the actual numbers are far higher than the government is willing to admit. Teresa Bo reports on why the government may be trying to downplay the extent of poverty across the country.
Robert Gates, the United States Secretary of Defense, says bringing peace and security to Afghanistan and Iraq represents a major challenge, but that it is one that the US is committed to achieving.
In a wide-ranging interview with Al Jazeera’s Abderrahim Foukara, Secretary Gates speaks about the US strategy for peace in Afghanistan, fighting al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Iraq, Pakistan’s role in central Asia, and the “threat” of a nuclear Iran.
If you thought driving on the other side of the road was a pain on holiday, spare a thought for the residents of Samoa. They’ve just become the first country to change lanes since the 1970s. Motorists have switched from driving on the right to the left hand side of the road. But why? Sky’s Alistair Bunkall explains.