Main image:  “PLAY,” wrote August Herman Francke, a 17th-century pedagogue, “must be forbidden in any and all of its forms”. His dour attitude towards child’s play is now out of fashion; teachers and psychologists recognise the benefits and the necessity of make-believe. Not only does it allow children to experiment with responsibility, freedom and risk away from the strictures of adults, but by making up worlds and scenarios, children improve certain cognitive functions. 20170203 18:03:19 Comment Expiry Date:  Sat, 2017-02-18 ...

Print section Print Rubric:  Why states fail and how they can be rebuilt: lessons from Afghanistan and South Sudan Print Headline:  Conquering chaos Print Fly Title:  Fixing fragile nations UK Only Article:  standard article Issue:  The indecisive prime minister Fly Title:  Conquering chaos Location:  JUBA AND KABUL Main image:  20170107_irp002.jpg IN THE middle of 2016 a suicide-bomber blew up a minibus full of judicial staff in Kabul. The injured were rushed to the Emergency Hospital in the Afghan capital. One was...

Print section Print Rubric:  How to save nations from collapse Print Headline:  First peace, then law Print Fly Title:  Fixing failed states UK Only Article:  standard article Issue:  The indecisive prime minister Fly Title:  First peace, then law Main image:  20170107_LDP001_0.jpg EIGHT years ago Ashraf Ghani and Clare Lockhart wrote a book called “Fixing Failed States”. Now Mr Ghani is in a position to follow his own advice. He is the president of Afghanistan, a state that failed in the 1990s and could fail again.  State...

Print section Print Rubric:  Our columnist travels with America’s outgoing defence secretary to Afghanistan and Iraq Print Headline:  The Obama way of war Print Fly Title:  Lexington UK Only Article:  standard article Issue:  The lessons from Aleppo’s tragic fate Fly Title:  Lexington Main image:  20161217_USD000_0.jpg TO AMERICANS who despise Barack Obama—and even to some who admire him—it is jarring to hear the 44th president refer to himself as commander-in-chief. Mr Obama leaves office with critics convinced that he is a passive...