For a couple of months things have been looking pretty bleak on the Iranian front.
US politics
Yet another Iowa front-runner — yes, it’s Ron Paul
Already Newt Gingrich’s chances for the Republican nomination are being written off, and there is a new GOP frontrunner in Iowa — Texas congressman Ron Paul.
Pakistan-US relations: annus horribilis
There is a growing belief that the US now needs Pakistan more than Pakistan needs the US, writes Alicia Mollaun, an Islamabad-based PhD candidate at the Crawford School at ANU.
Jimmy Carter, the nicest president of them all
Former US president Jimmy Carter ights for global health from his modest house in the tiny town where he was once a peanut farmer. Carole Cadwalladr interviews the fascinating man, who remains proud he never ‘dropped a bomb’ as president.
Black is back as evangelical Republicans rally
As Barack Obama mobilises his re-election campaign, the Republican base is for the first time excited about a black man running for president — former fast food chain executive Herman Cain, that is. Crikey was at the Faith and Freedom Coalition in DC.
A game for political wonks
Ever wanted to redraw political boundaries in your own name? An online game allows you to do it, and teaches how gerrymandering can have such a poisonous effect on democracy, says Ben Raue.
The many faces of Jon Stewart
During Jon Stewart’s interview with Barack Obama on The Daily Show the left-leaning comedian ventured much further than straight comedy. Everybody knows Stewart is a liberal, but where does his comedy end and his political advocacy begin?
infographic 
The difference between left wing and right wing
Want to know the difference between left wing and right wing? This info graphic will help you out.
Salesman Obama — polls not buying Prez’ hard sell
Is Obama simply a poor salesman? Despite trying to sell his achievements for months, the US President is still lagging in the polls, writes John Dickerson.
Palin on the nose, so who wants to be America’s next top Republican?
The base has spoken: Mitt Romney is the man most likely to win America’s Next Top Republican and challenge Barack Obama in 2013. Harley Dennett reports on the influential Conservative Political Action Conference.
Shell-shocked Democrats navel gaze on Massachusetts
There are major potholes ahead for the Democratic Party; no-one could dispute that. The Left are complaining, the Right are mobilising and the middle class independents are seeing confusion where they expect results.
Kohler: Geithner’s middle way
The US Treasury Secretary’s clear-up of toxic loans looks like the worst possible plan, except for all the others, writes Alan Kohler.
The Geithner plan: a Crikey wrap
Wall Street appears to have given US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s $1tn toxic assets plan the thumbs-up, with the Dow surging nearly 500 points on Monday. But what do the pundits think?
Republicans think party should be more like Palin
A new poll has found Republican voters want the party to be more like Sarah Palin, reports the Huffington Post.
