The contest between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain for the presidency of the United States is being followed intently around the world. How much exactly, in terms of U.S. foreign policy, is at stake? Many commentators are emphasising the similarities of the two candidates’ foreign policies, and it is certainly true that the menu...

This paper argues that diasporas (communities which live outside, but retain their connections with, their homelands) are getting larger, thicker and stronger – with important implications for global economics, identity, politics and security. The author compares diasporas to 'world wide webs' emanating from states, with dense, interlocking, often electronic strands spanning the globe and binding...