24 July 2006
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From the Editor…
Welcome to the New Statesman website. Whether you are a new reader or an existing one - online or via the magazine - I hope you'll enjoy the great writing, fresh ideas and provocative debate that make the New Statesman Britain's award-winning current affairs weekly
Cover story
War - Who can stop it now?
Bush and Blair give the green light for more Israeli strikes. Syria and Iran back Hezbollah. As the Middle East explodes, Zaki Chehab, an authority on Hamas, reveals where the real power in the region lies - and the only chance for lasting peace
Features
Desperation in Beirut
Report
The ultimate gamble
Encouraged by the government and its friends, Britain is in the grip of a gambling craze fuelled by round-the-clock availability at the bookies, in the casino and on the internet. It is a booming, billion-pound industry - but, warns Mike Atherton, in the end we may all be losers
Regulars
New Statesman Leader
Old-fashioned diplomacy remains the only route to peace
The neo-cons are seizing on the crisis to vindicate their view that diplomacy is simply appeasement by other means
The Politics Column
Finally, the dirt is being dished
People at the heart of the police inquiry into loans for peerages are singing like canaries
Abuse of terms No 3938
Set by Ian Birchall You were asked to supply new terms of abuse using words at the other end of the sexual spectrum from that used by Chris Moyles ("gay" to mean "lame" or "stupid")
Culture
Laughter in the dark
Shostakovich has come to represent the tragedy and terror of the 20th century, but this overlooks his impudent humour
Lessons for Liverpool
Cork 2005 demonstrated how the Capital of Culture accolade can become a curse, writes Brian O'Connell
Perchance to dream
Can music really improve the quality of your slumber? Hermione Eyre puts it to the test at a sonic sleepover
Theatre
Pass the false breasts, please
Alan Bennett's disappointingly dated farce smacks of mid-life crisis Habeas Corpus Theatre Royal Bath
Film
Prepare to stroke your goatee
Subtle dramas are welcome relief in the blockbuster season The Death of Mister Lazarescu (15) dir: Cristi Puiu Les Amants réguliers (18) dir: Philippe Garrel
Television
One story that's pushing the envelope
A "gritty" post office drama requires a serious suspension of disbelief Sorted BBC1
Books
Enemy of the faith
The Caged Virgin Ayaan Hirsi Ali Free Press, 208pp, £12.99 ISBN 0743295013 Are Muslim women really caged virgins, victims of an inherently misogynistic theology? In claiming this, Ayaan Hirsi Ali is guilty of grossly misrepresenting Islam
Terror tactics
The One Percent Doctrine: deep inside America’s pursuit of its enemies since 9/11 Ron Suskind Simon & Schuster, 367pp, £18.99 ISBN 0743295684
Sons and lovers
Wild Mary: a life of Mary Wesley Patrick Marnham Chatto & Windus, 304pp, £18.99 ISBN 0701179910
A different way of being
The Yage Letters William S Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg City Lights, 72pp, £9.99 ISBN 0872864480
Nights at the circus
The Bullet Trick Louise Welsh Canongate, 363pp, £12.99 ISBN 1841958034
Two's company
The Girls Lori Lansens Virago, 345pp, £11.99 ISBN 1844083659
American dreams
Stranger in a Strange Land: encounters in the disunited States Gary Younge New Press, 301pp, £10.99 ISBN 1595580689
Turkish delight
The Janissary Tree Jason Goodwin Faber, 250pp, £12.99 ISBN 0571229212
Collectors' item
The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia Michael Gray Continuum, 784pp, £25 ISBN 0826469337
