North Cyprus is not recognised as a separate, independent state by any country, other than Turkey. The Greek Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, but the Greek Cypriots voted against the UN plan to unite the island. In consequence, there is no extradition arrangement in place between North Cyprus and the UK.

This has led North Cyprus to become a safe haven for people who are fugitives from UK justice.

The election of Abdullah Gul as President of Turkey on 28 August 2007 is controversial because of his Islamic background. Now that both the Prime Minister and President have religious backgrounds, his election is widely viewed as a threat to the secular ethos of the Turkish State.

Although Mr Gul, in his accession speech, pledged allegiance to the secular constitution and the legacy of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, there are many who view such commitments as cosmetic.

In 1999, when Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton, he asked the rhetorical question 'Where is the oil to come from?' and then gave the answer 'The Middle East, with two thirds of the world's oil and the lowest cost, is still where the prize ultimately lies'. George Bush also has a background in the US oil industry, and the opportunity to take control of oil production in Iraq must be a dream beyond the wildest imagination of most Texan oilmen.

The execution of Saddam Hussein on 30 December 2006 set the scene for the New Year. The indignity of his fate, which was recorded on film and transmitted around the globe, filled even conservative observers with disgust.

The scandal of his execution demonstrates that the US and UK policy of handing over civil matters in Iraq to a bourgeoning domestic administration is fatally flawed and the rhetoric which talks about the green shoots of democracy and civil administration in Iraq is a sham.

Although Tony Blair came to power as leader of a Labour government, his premiership has not followed the customary Labour Party policy of pacifism and anti-war sentiment. Neither has there been hostility towards US foreign policy.

Mr Blair reportedly stated that we might be a lucky generation that will never have to send people to war. In reality, he has engaged in more military campaigns than any British Prime Minister in living memory.

The video clips of Saddam Hussein's execution on 30 December 2006 have further alienated Arab opinion towards the West, and both President Bush and Prime Minister Blair have reviewed their Iraq strategies.

President Bush still argues that 'victory' in Iraq can be achieved, but the British do not share his optimism.

Tony Blair and his British advisors have quietly distanced themselves from this latest US policy.

Property in North Cyprus is relatively low cost and is some 40% cheaper than equivalent property in Southern Cyprus, and around half the price of property in Spain.

The reason for this is the fact that Cyprus is a divided island. The South is referred to as the Republic of Cyprus, and is part of the EU. The South is Greek while the North is Turkish.

Cherie Blair, wife of the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has become involved in the controversial issue of British ownership of North Cyprus Property.

Linda and David Orams paid around ?160,000 for a detached house in Lapta in 2003. A Citizen of the Greek Republic of Cyprus, Mr Meletis Apostolides, claims that he is the rightful owner of the land on which the villa is built.

Israeli warplanes attacked a Syrian target on 6 September 2007. The secrecy and lack of comment has perplexed international commentators. The target was at Dayr az-Zawr, in north east Syria.

Syria was first to report the incident, and said their air defences fired at an Israeli warplane that had penetrated Syrian airspace and dropped explosives.

The election of Abdullah Gul as President of Turkey on 28 August 2007 is controversial because of his Islamic background. Now that both the Prime Minister and President have religious backgrounds, his election is widely viewed as a threat to the secular ethos of the Turkish State.

Although Mr Gul, in his accession speech, pledged allegiance to the secular constitution and the legacy of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, there are many who view such commitments as cosmetic.

Although Tony Blair came to power as leader of a Labour government, his premiership has not followed the customary Labour Party policy of pacifism and anti-war sentiment. Neither has there been hostility towards US foreign policy.

Mr Blair reportedly stated that we might be a lucky generation that will never have to send people to war. In reality, he has engaged in more military campaigns than any British Prime Minister in living memory.

Property in North Cyprus is relatively low cost and is some 40% cheaper than equivalent property in Southern Cyprus, and around half the price of property in Spain.

The reason for this is the fact that Cyprus is a divided island. The South is referred to as the Republic of Cyprus, and is part of the EU. The South is Greek while the North is Turkish.

In 1999, when Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton, he asked the rhetorical question 'Where is the oil to come from?' and then gave the answer 'The Middle East, with two thirds of the world's oil and the lowest cost, is still where the prize ultimately lies'. George Bush also has a background in the US oil industry, and the opportunity to take control of oil production in Iraq must be a dream beyond the wildest imagination of most Texan oilmen.

The execution of Saddam Hussein on 30 December 2006 set the scene for the New Year. The indignity of his fate, which was recorded on film and transmitted around the globe, filled even conservative observers with disgust.

The scandal of his execution demonstrates that the US and UK policy of handing over civil matters in Iraq to a bourgeoning domestic administration is fatally flawed and the rhetoric which talks about the green shoots of democracy and civil administration in Iraq is a sham.

The video clips of Saddam Hussein's execution on 30 December 2006 have further alienated Arab opinion towards the West, and both President Bush and Prime Minister Blair have reviewed their Iraq strategies.

President Bush still argues that 'victory' in Iraq can be achieved, but the British do not share his optimism.

Tony Blair and his British advisors have quietly distanced themselves from this latest US policy.