This month's party conference in North Korea is an anachronistic showcase for the Leninist hierarchy, if not quite the lavish display of a full-blown congress. Still, as men in badly tailored suits clap only when instructed, the meeting could be one of the last reminders of a bygone era - and it could deliver big news - just as happened in 1980. - Andrei Lankov (Sep 7, '10).
In a referendum this week, Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party is trying to strike another significant blow against the "deep state" of high-ranking military, security services and the judiciary. Passage of the amendments would hit the custodians of founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's secularist legacy and bolster a version of democracy that has allowed an Islamic "lite" party to rule. - Andrew Novo and Scott B MacDonald (Sep 7, '10).
Security circles are abuzz with China's Dong Feng 21D, the world's first anti-ship ballistic missile. With its speed and long range it has the potential to deter United States aircraft carriers from sailing in the West Pacific. Taiwan is particularly concerned, but it may just be that there is more hype than reality in the "wonder weapon". - Jens Kastner and Wang Jyh-Perng (Sep 7, '10).
According to Chinese ambassador He Yafei, Beijing has one overarching priority and that is to put its house in order. From an unusual briefing He held last month it is clear that the urbanization of China is the greatest of the many revolutions the country has faced. And with about 20% of the world's population, China's ability to deal with the transition has daunting consequences. - Alexander Casella (Sep 7, '10).
The memoirs of former British prime minister Tony Blair have been blasted by the Arab press for their unapologetic stance towards the Iraq War and Blair's alliance with former US president George W Bush. With painful memories of the bad blood, civilian deaths and mayhem unleashed by the "war on terror", many Arabs would prefer to see Blair complete his march into history. - Sami Moubayed (Sep 7, '10).
