Turkey is a pivotal sort of place. A bridge between continents and cultures. A western ally perched on the edges of war, and now a major transit point for those fleeing conflict and strife. As international events swirl, the political focus is also very much on domestic affairs: issues such as security, economy and human rights. So an election this coming weekend is not only crucial – for Turks and for the international community – it is equally fascinating.
Our cover this week considers the many factors in play before the ballots are cast and counted.
Internationally, it felt like an all-election weekend, as voters in Poland, Guatemala and Tanzania, among others, went to the polls. On our international news pages we capture some of the results, which we will fill out as more detailed analysis is written.
Following up on a federal election in Canada, meanwhile, that saw Liberal Justin Trudeau elected prime minister, the Guardian’s executive editor of opinion, Jonathan Freedland, provides some interesting reflections on the nature of dynasties.
We bring you a page of coverage on Libya, a failed state that’s been a departure point for many in Europe’s refugee crisis. Bringing stability is critical, and extremely difficult, as Guardian opinion writer Yasmina Khadra and our partner paper the Washington Post write. Meanwhile, on the shores of Greece, the race is on for the displaced as winter draws closer and the Mediterranean passages become more deadly.
On the environment front, with a climate conference in Paris looming in late November, we give over two pages of coverage to solar energy in Morocco, the global “cold crunch” as cooling needs soar, and European greenhouse gas emissions. Not all of this is doom and gloom, I’m happy to say. Watch in the weeks ahead for beefed up environment coverage.
Elsewhere, presidential contender Hillary Clinton shines in an upbeat October and the British prime minister David Cameron finds plans for tax credit cuts thwarted by the House of Lords.
After Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to Britain, we assess the economic value of the trip. We also take a look at the state of the Middle Kingdom’s economy after the People’s Bank of China lowered interest rates, yet again.
The rise of technology is a theme throughout the edition. In our World roundup experts sound an alarm on stupid ‘AI’, on our UK pages a teenager is arrested in connection with a cyber-attack on UK telecom TalkTalk, and on the Comment pages Paul Mason warns of allowing tech giants to rule our emerging smart cities. The books pages rounds things off, reviewing a book that questions whether mobile technology is destroying our ability to communicate.
Technology can’t be ignored. But can it be so readily, easily embraced? Something to consider.
On our letters page, you shared views on trade, Middle East politics, North American divides and procrastination (something I can be rather good at!).
Ready for a deeper read? Our Review opener takes aim at Silicon Valley in a super piece of writing about California’s boom (and possibly looming bust). We also take you to Iraq, Sweden and Uganda to look, variously, at the Green Zone, social tolerance and HIV therapies.
Discovery delves into the brain, which is one of my favourite subjects. Food for thought.
Is pride the road to ruin? I am sure many of you will want to consider this question, then chime in on our Notes & Queries page. On a personal note, I’d like to send a thank you to June Walker, the reader profiled in this week’s Good to meet you, for her patience and her loyalty to the Weekly.
Sport is not something I dwell on (unless it’s fencing, a family passion). But partner paper the Washington Post gives us a very nice read on the rise of American football in Brazil. Even if you aren’t fussed about F1, and you don’t rise to rugby, I think you’ll find this an interesting piece.
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