12 February 2007
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Cover story
Sunni v Shia
The clash between Sunni and Shia Muslims is the greatest cause of strife across the Arab world. Here - as part of our special issue on Islam - Zaki Chehab explains the deep-lying roots of the turmoil
Features
Wanted: leader with a ruthless streak
Ming Campbell continues to underperform. As senior Lib Dems jockey for position, they ask whether their man is too weak or whether their party is going through its usual midterm disappearing trick
Too complex for Dubbya
Unfortunately for the rest of the world, Rumsfeld and co never realised the Sunni-Shia division could get so complicated.
Birmingham: the questions remain
In Sparkhill, Shiv Malik finds that scepticism and "agendas" surround the alleged plot to kidnap and behead a Muslim soldier
The guilt trip
A revolution in crime policy is being put forward to ministers in which criminals are encouraged to face their victims. It has cut reoffending and brought more people to justice, but will Gordon Brown dare embrace it?
No Fidel, no problem?
Miami is planning a great party, and Bush's people expect dancing in the streets of Havana. But few others in Washington believe Castro's death would suddenly change Cuba.
Born to run?
More than 25,000 greyhounds are discarded every year by the racing industry, and most of them get killed. This sordid cruelty must not continue
Richard's week
Just because a few pirates have committed atrocities, it doesn't mean they are all bad
Regulars
New Statesman Leader
The real danger caused by the economics of industrial food
In an unequal society, many families depend on cheap food. Government has a responsibility to set high minimum standards
Commons Confidential
And then there were four
Mrs Two Shags wants a hairy chap as ghost-writer. Diary secretaries need not apply
Good ideas factory
Set by D A Prince What ideas will come out of the Blair Foundation to make it "harder to forget what he has achieved"?
Culture
All that glitters
With success at the Golden Globes and anticipation building for the Oscars, the British film industry has never looked healthier. So why is so much young talent still leaving the country?
Clash culture
In a new film, artists from Bono to Damien Hirst pay tribute to Joe Strummer, the punk icon. By Patrick Sawer
Sea, sand and show-offs
The Theatre Royal Brighton is celebrating its 200th birthday. William Cook visits a city of exhibitionists
Theatre
Making it up as they go along
An intriguing fringe production takes improvised jazz as a metaphor for life Chasing the Moment Arcola Theatre, London E8
Film
Love, loss and all that jazz
Turkish director presents a wise and moving portrait of a fading romance Climates (15) dir: Nuri Bilge Ceylan My Name is Albert Ayler (15) dir: Kasper Collin
Television
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Two documentaries show it's important to choose your subject carefully Louis Theroux: Gambling in Las Vegas BBC2 Do You Want to Live Forever? Channel 4
Books
Black and white . . .
Nick Cohen accuses the liberal left of abandoning democracy. But his pro-war allies have much in common with their "Islamo-fascist" enemies.
Plastic profound
The Philosophy of Andy Warhol: from A to B and back again Andy Warhol Penguin, 256pp, £9.99 ISBN 014118910X
Love to hate you
Uncouth Nation: why Europe dislikes America Andrei S Markovits Princeton University Press, 302pp, £15.95 ISBN 0691122873
American muscles
Exit A Anthony Swofford Scribner, 287pp, £12.99 ISBN 0743295641
Traveller's tales
The Lost City Henry Shukman Abacus, 342pp, £10.99 ISBN 0349120366
