Watch Out

Tweet, blog, text: the words that define the Noughties

The 21st century so far has been dominated by the written form, and the words we use tell the story of how we live.

Where the Rosetta belongs can’t be set in stone

Great cultural artefacts and great intellectual ideas are no respecters of national boundaries. Everyone must share them

Ted Hughes was a prophet of climate change

A generation of writers is just coming to terms with the biggest issue of our age. We should honour the man who foresaw it

The ghost of Robin Cook haunts Chilcot’s feast

In 2003 the irascible MP resigned over the Iraq war. His clarity of principle contrasts sharply with today’s grey fudge

Bulldozers in! Away with nostalgia!

Those complaining at the Lord's plans are in thrall to a stupidly rose-tinted view of the postwar years

Farwell to the stiff upper lip

Public grief for our fallen soldiers demonstrates a new willingness to confront the true nature of war

Bloody events in Texas will reinforce suspicion

Prejudice does violent historical disservice to the thousands of Muslims who have served in British uniform in the past

The internet is killing storytelling

Narratives are disappearing in an online blizzard of tiny bytes of information

Barack Obama must face down the ghost of Vietnam

As the President ponders sending more troops to Afghanistan, he is haunted by the conflict that scarred the US psyche

CIA, or Completely Incompetent Americans

When it comes to anti-Castro plots, the only people more gullible than the Cubans are officers of the CIA

It’s a bonobo-help-bird world

We’re taught nature requires usto be selfish, but a new study argues empathy is natural for all animals

Barack Obama is out of step on gays in the military

It takes two kinds of bravery to come out in the Armed Forces. Those who show courage deserve more than political cowardice

Money for control in Afghanistan

Cash for peace may be a time-honoured way to tackle problems in the country, but only so long as the rent is paid on time

What's the truth about the battle of the V-sign?

Were the English heroes or war criminals at Agincourt? It depends on which side of the Channel you’re on

Sordid tale brings shame on Britain

Labour and the Tories are ignorantly exploiting a tragic and complex period of Latvian history

Regrettable rise of the political spouse

Come back Denis Thatcher and Norma Major. This conference performance was just too sickly

ANALYSIS: the invisible battle

Many returning troops feel an alienation from a society that seems not to understand or care about the challenges of war

Political scandal could become verse

In Britain, we hate being embarrassed. In France, disgrace is an excuse for a volume of doggerel

Secrets can be good for you. Ask Dan Brown

The move towards transparency in public life has been a huge advance. But individuals still need their privacy protected