At the start of the 21st century, it is clear that the world is engaged in a great ideological struggle, between extremists who use terror as a weapon to create fear, and moderate people who work for peace.

NPR: Bush Addresses U.N. on Peace in Middle East

With the Tories gripped by ideological struggle over the prospect of British membership of the single European currency, many businessmen feel more comfortable with Mr Blair's stated aim (which matched John Major's, but not that of many of his Conservative colleagues) of treating euro-membership as a practical decision to be taken on economic grounds.

ECONOMIST: The new establishment

While the United States, Russia and Iran struggle for economic or ideological influence in the region, the Caspian's fragile ecosystem is buckling under the hasty and disorderly expoitation of its resources.

ECONOMIST: Fishing for gas, sturgeon and influence