The world’s powers have to resolve their remnants of empire | Martin Kettle

The territories controlled by Britain, France, Russia and the US, among others, still have the potential to spark global crises. We need an islands and enclaves treaty

In 1904, George Bernard Shaw wrote a play about Ireland. He called it John Bull’s Other Island. With a memorable title like that, Shaw – if he were alive today – could have got himself signed up for a whole BBC series. Even in 2016, John Bull still has plenty of other islands and enclaves scattered about the world. And, as a presenter, Shaw prancing about the world in his tweed plus-fours would leave even Dan Snow or Lucy Worsley standing.

Related: The attacks in France show that its colonial past endures | Natalie Nougayrède

Related: Uncovering the brutal truth about the British empire | Marc Parry

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