It feels like the conflict in Iraq came out of nowhere. In just a week, Sunni insurgents have stormed through that war-torn country, taking cities by force as military might has melted, and threatening to redraw the region's map.
The Guardian's Martin Chulov is on the ground in Baghdad, reporting on how, in the space of a few days, cities have been looted, civilians are fleeing, and the US is again looking at engaging militarily in a far-off land. Inside the paper, Guardian Middle East editor Ian Black analyses the knock-on for a region so bathed in uncertainty.
We support our analytical reporting with a two-page Comment & Debate special. The Observer's Peter Beaumont says the insurgency by Islamist militants threatens to divide Iraq into three parts. Michael Cohen, also from partner paper the Obs, finds the US in no mood for a fight. Finally, award-winning editorial cartoonist Steve Bell provides his take on events, and considers the Bush-Blair legacy in the Middle East.
Elsewhere, news continued apace. Elections in Colombia saw the return to office of incumbent Juan Manuel Santos, who campaigned on a platform of peace. In Congo, an anti-genocide group says warlords have lost their grip on the country's mines and lucrative conflict minerals. And in San Francisco, headway is being made towards ambitious targets for zero waste by 2020. Some good news, then, to buffer events elsewhere.
In our deeper-read Review section, we bring you a special package of reporting on the Internet. From birth, to marriage, to death, many live their lives online. We pick up on three facets of the internet age: sex, economics and our ultimate demise. I hope you find it a thoughtful, varied and well-packaged read.
On our Discovery pages, partner paper the Washington Post reports on howls of protest over a US wildlife cull. A federal agency is slaughtering millions of native animals, though no one is quite sure why. Thanks to our Guardian Weekly designers for making this two-page report look so fabulous.
The book reviews take on economics, mathematics and imperialism. A heady mix! And we visit Marseille with partner paper Le Monde, which finds the seedy underworld of France's second-biggest city is the perfect setting for crime fiction.
Culture reviews an exhibition in Belgium of war's bloody canvas, and showcases a full column of film reviews, including writing by Peter Bradshaw and Mark Kermode. What's not to like? Our diversions are full of sass, as usual. This week's N&Q question: Do eggs evolve? If so, into what? Send in your answers by clicking here.
Finally, you may have noticed a large football event underway in Brazil. Hadley Freeman is there and writing with her usual mix of wit and wisdom. You'll find her on our back page this week (and we do hope she has found her wallet...).
I'm keen to know what you think of the edition, comments and criticisms equally welcome! Please do drop me a line by clicking here. And thanks for reading.
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