Along with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism, state failure is one of the big three security problems that will preoccupy the world in the first decades of the 21st century. What can be done to confront the problem – and to contain the threats? What should be the guiding principles…

Arab politics is much more dynamic and diverse than is generally portrayed in the west, says Anoush Ehteshami. Sweeping governance reform is already afoot in much of the Arab world – and, in many cases, is being driven by the ruling elites themselves. The danger is that external pressure for reform could imperil emerging democratic…

Many presuppositions and prejudices will have to be overcome if we are to understand each other’s problems, benefit from each other’s experiences and find solutions that are acceptable to all, says Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Living together peacefully and prosperously will require that we address the world’s difficulties, differences and inequalities with an open mind It…

These days a successful CEO has to operate more like a national president or foreign minister, exercising hard power and soft power in equal measure. In the 21st century, a company’s ability to stand out will be defined more by its relationships with the outside world and its image than by its quarterly numbers and…

We cannot avoid risk. Nor should we want to. It is a part of our daily lives. Without it, there is no reward. But what we can do is learn to understand it, manage it, benefit from it and prepare ourselves better for the inevitable, unexpected risks that come our way. Samuel DiPiazza explores the…

If we want a demonstration of peaceful competition and human interaction – and a true celebration of humanity and diversity – then we should look no further than the Olympic ideals, says Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki Since ancient times, peaceful competition on the athletic and sporting field has served as a useful metaphor for how human interaction…

Africa must break free from its past in order to realize a brighter future, says Joaquim Alberto Chissano. Leaders must show a new vision and a new spirit of partnership to overcome the continent’s many challenges and create a better world for its people. With the right frameworks in place, and the right aims in…

Technology has the power to change the lives of people in the poorer parts of the world, says John Chambers – giving access to education, health and commerce, and transforming living standards and the economic prosperity of developing nations. But it requires partnerships between business and governments to harness that power and turn promise into…

We are all at risk if we allow an anti-terrorism campaign based primarily on military action to overshadow the vital development work that is being done – and must be done – to close the gap between the rich and the poor, says Jimmy Carter. Without the promise of peace and prosperity in poor countries,…

True leadership is not about prestige, power or status, says Marilyn Carlson Nelson. It is about personal responsibility and personal engagement. Leading people in a fast-changing business world is no longer about command and control. It is about collaboration and community The ancients, gazing at the stars, often saw very different things. Some looked skywards…