Poppies evoke foreign field of Afghanistan

Britons are more aware of their soldiers' sacrifices than at any time since 1945. But then, the war was plainly necessary

Afghans have waited eight years for security

Counter-insurgency theory has moved from the idea of simply killing Taleban fighters to focusing on protecting the populace

ANALYSIS: everyone for himself in the city of unity

After the finale of the Berlin Wall celebrations, EU leaders will fight over the top jobs made possible by the events of 1989

A first step — but a big one — for Barack Obama

He has achieved what no other US President has done: the passage of a sweeping health reform Bill in a chamber of Congress

Grief and prayers on Remembrance Sunday

As the deaths of two more soldiers are announced, servicemen in Afghanistan and at the Cenotaph remember fallen comrades

China offers its hand in friendship - and £10bn

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao doubles loans pledged in Beijing three years ago, but critics say there are ulterior motives

George Bush Sr failed to see tide of history

The fall of the Berlin Wall was the moment the West won the Cold War but the first President Bush was too timid to exploit it

Anti-Taleban mayor killed in Pakistan attack

A suicide bomber killed an anti-Taleban village mayor and seven others on the outskirts of the volatile city of Peshawar

Few former leaders have such influence

Despite the impression of irrelevance and idleness, Thaksin Shinawatra remains a powerful political force in Thailand

Tory minders gag right-wing allies

Spin doctors are involved in a damage limitation operation over Polish MEP Michal Kaminski's views on the Holocaust

Libel threat to force US papers out of Britain

US newspapers may stop selling copies in Britain and block access to their websites because of our draconian libel laws

'Lost' cargo ship Arctic Sea gives up its secrets

The Russian crew at the centre of the hijacked Arctic Sea cargo vessel tell of their 24-day ordeal for the first time

Fiat heir and mother wrestle over billions

The mother of the car giant’s youthful boss claims Gianni Agnelli's will cheated her out of a fortune hidden overseas

Pirates threaten to ‘punish’ British couple

Somali pirates are demanding seven comrades hed aboard a German warship be set free or they will torture ths Chandlers

Visitors see dinosaurs and Versace at Escobar home

Crowds of tourists are descending on the drug lord's luxurious ranch to celebrate his tacky taste and violent lifestyle

Secret files show Thatcher's role in coup plot

Intelligence reports, phone records and the release of Simon Mann may make life awkward for Mark Thatcher

Thatcher said he was a spy for South Africans

Sir Mark Thatcher became an informer to South Africa to avoid prosecution for his role in a botched coup in central Africa