Search

A disclaimer to start with: in a federal union of 1.3 billion persons comprising 17 per cent of humankind, 36 states and territories, multiple languages and ethnic groups, few if any observations a...

Three heteroleptic divalent-metal alkyl-carbazate-thiocyanate complexes, [M(NCS)2(NH2NHCOOR)2] [M = Co and R = CH2CH3 (1); M = Co and R = CH3 (2); M = Zn and R = CH3 (3)], have been prepared and characterized, and their crystal structures determined. In 1, Co(II) adopts a fairly regular centrosymmetric trans-CoO2N4 octahedral geometry arising from its coordination by two N,O-bidentate ethylcarbazate ligands and two trans N-bonded thiocyanates. In isostructural 2 and 3, the metals adopt distorted cis-MO2N4 octahedral geometries arising from two N,O-bidentate methylcarbazate ligands with cis N-bonded thiocyanates. The crystal structures feature N–H⋯O and N–H⋯S interactions. Thermal analysis data show that these compounds begin to decompose at temperatures between 130 and 160 °C. Crystal data: 1, CoC8H16N6O4S2, Mr = 383.32, P21/n (No. 14), a = 5.2599(3) A, b = 7.4209(4) A, c = 20.1948(12) A, β = 94.070(1)°, V = 786.28(8) A3, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.028, wR(F2) = 0.073; 2, CoC6H12N6O4S2, Mr = 355.27, P21/n (No. 14), ...

The syntheses, structures, and characterization (IR, TGA/DTA, UV/visible spectroscopy) of an isostructural family of layered coordination networks containing divalent metal ions (Co2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+), formate (ft) anions and neutral C3H8N2O2 ethyl carbazate (ec) ligands of formula M(ft)2(ec) are described. A manganese-containing compound with the same stoichiometry possibly adopts the same structure. Single-crystal structures of the zinc and cadmium phases show the presence of distorted ZnO5N and CdO5N octahedra, in which ec adopts N,O-bidentate coordination, and four monodentate ft anions bridge to adjacent metal ions. This connectivity leads to polymeric sheets built up from double octahedral layers propagating in the (001) plane. The crystal structures are completed by N–H ··· O and N–H ··· (O,O) hydrogen bonds. Crystal data: Zn(CHO2)2(C3H8N2O2), M r = 259.52, triclinic, (No. 2), a = 8.0848(2) A, b = 8.7345(1) A, c = 13.2841(3) A, α = 74.2839(14)°, β = 86.7150(12)°, γ = 89.4713(15)°, V = 901.51(3) A3,...

The rise of modern institutional multilateralism is a phenomenon dating back less than a hundred years, and there is no reason to infer that it is either immutable or permanent. With the end of the Cold War, there was an expectation of global consensus and the implementation of collective security. But this depended to an excessive extent on the United States and its willingness to use force, and the level of subjectivity in US-led interventions gave rise to questions of whether multilateralism could survive in conditions of unipolarity. Now the primacy of the United States is slipping, and its pre-eminence will decline as manufacturing, technology and innovation spread. From being the major lending country, it has become the biggest debtor. Despite American military superiority, the world will be increasingly poly-centric and the new emerging powers will exert a strong and increasing influence in world affairs. The character of international cooperation in the next few decades will be shaped by ...

Initially regarded as a vehicle for the projection of British influence, the government lost faith in the Commonwealth as the post-colonial adjustment took place. The British public and media's early enthusiasm for the organisation waned as British policies came under fire in Commonwealth meetings. Immigration from the ‘new’ Commonwealth members added to the disillusionment. Britain could play a key role in determining the association's future, but this would require hard decisions and face many problems of perception at home and abroad.

The Commonwealth in 1995 established a Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to monitor adherence to the values in its Harare Declaration, but only in the context of the political principles and not in response to the many economic and social commitments made in that same Declaration. The Group has met 21 times over the past eight years but its achievements, even with a limited mandate, are extremely modest. While the creation of the Group represented a notable development, its work in practice does not justify much optimism that the Commonwealth can become a values-based organisation.

The Commonwealth in 1995 established a Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to monitor adherence to the values in its Harare Declaration, but only in the context of the political principles and not of the many economic and social commitments made in that same Declaration. The Group has met 21 times over the past eight years but its achievements, even with a limited mandate, are extremely modest. While the creation of the Group represented a notable development, its work in practice does not justify much optimism that the Commonwealth can become a values-based organization.

(2001). The commonwealth, India and lost opportunities in South Asia. Asian Affairs: Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 131-141.

With India submitting a candidate for the vacancy which will arise in 2008 for the post of Commonwealth secretary-general, we recall that India had once before proposed a candidate for this post, i...

India has received the largest quantum of development aid since World War II compared with any other developing country, but the giving and receiving of such aid is being increasingly called into q...