David Blair's Blog, page 36

Turkey and Isil share common enemies – that's why Erdogan won't act

The Kurdish guerrillas and Assad clearly rank higher on the Turkish president's list of infamy than Isil, says David Blair.

Avalanches in Nepal kill 25, including 9 foreigners

Blizzards in Mustang and Manang districts make 2014 one of the deadliest years on record for mountaineering in Nepal

Philip Hammond: UK will support Iraq 'for as long as it takes'

Sunni and Kurd minorities must have a stake in government if the advance of terrorism is to be halted, says Foreign Secretary during first visit to Baghdad

Iraq is in last-chance saloon as a single state, says Philip Hammond

Sunni and Kurd minorities must have a stake in government if the advance of terrorism is to be halted, says Foreign Secretary during first visit to Baghdad

Philip Hammond states Britain has 'legal basis' for expanding campaign against Isil to Syria

Foreign Secretary states Government would seek Parliament's approval for air strikes on Islamic State in Syria if there was a "clear military case" during visit to Iraq

So what ails Kim Jong-un? The truth will be painful

A dictator's health is always a taboo subject, as 'supreme leaders' need to be immortal, says David Blair

The public artwork of the Hong Kong protests

Protests in Hong Kong have triggered a sudden boom in public art, from "Umbrella Man" to "Lennon Wall"

Hong Kong students and government agree to formal talks

Hong Kong's government and the pro-democracy movement agree to negotiate as exhaustion sets in

Hong Kong officials resume work as protests subside

Hong Kong's civil servants returned to work and schools re-opened as a massive pro-democracy protest that has occupied much of the city centre for the week dwindled

Hong Kong returns to work as protesters lift government blockades

Protesters in Hong Kong back away from confrontation by allowing 3,000 civil servants to return to their offices, though blockades on two main thoroughfares remain in place