This arrived in my Inbox... from OpenDemocracy:

CASE CLOSED? THE BBC, BLAIR AND IRAQ

This week, http://www.openDemocracy.net illuminates the fallout of a crisis sparked by the death of a weapons scientist, and now convulsing Britain's politics and media. Anthony Barnett traces its roots in government duplicity over the Iraq war; David Elstein endorses a new report's forensic criticism of the BBC, but sees in its wreckage an opportunity to change; and Douglas Murray reads a press blinded to truth by corrosive cynicism.

Plus: Osman Bah's calmly chilling account of his childhood amidst Liberia's civil war; America Vera-Zavala and Meenakshi Shedde on women's space, Nordic hunks and used condoms at the World Social Forum; and Candida Clark hitches an enchanted ride to Cold Mountain.

Tomorrow: Caspar Henderson's Globolog returns from the World Social Forum in India reflecting on history's shame and a century's challenge

----------------------

THE WEEK'S TOP FIVE

EDITOR'S NOTE: A MOMENT OF TRUTH
Hutton blames the BBC and clears Tony Blair. But it misses the larger truth of the Iraq weapons affair, writes ANTHONY BARNETT: British
government's system of command and control

http://www.opendemocracy.net/debates/article-8-92-1704.jsp

WHAT NOW FOR THE BBC?
The Hutton report is hopelessly skewed, but it offers the BBC a precious opportunity to reform, says DAVID ELSTEIN

http://www.opendemocracy.net/debates/article-8-92-1700.jsp

"I WAS A CHILD SOLDIER"
A child brutalised by Liberia's civil war, OSMAN BAH found refuge in London. Between confession and redemption, he tells his terrible story

http://www.opendemocracy.net/themes/article-10-1685.jsp

FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN: THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
The global elite's Davos conference pulsates with brilliant people and ideas. So why is SIMON ZADEK frustrated? Read his passionate, engaged, daily reports

http://www.opendemocracy.net/debates/article-6-28-1698.jsp

KODAK MOMENTS AT THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
Seeing Nordic hunks and Indian tribals exchange email addresses, MEENAKSHI SHEDDE knew that the Mumbai jamboree was a window on a new world

http://www.opendemocracy.net/themes/article-6-1701.jsp

---------------------

MEMBERS SPEAK OUT
"openDemocracy is great - find all I can read fascinating... Many thanks to you and all your colleagues; keep up the great articles and fascinating links. I keep telling people about you!" - Linda Mesney

SUBSCRIBE NOW
It's your subscription of £2, $3, or €3 a month that keeps openDemocracy going. Join other Free Thinkers! Pay online or call Theo Edwards +44 (0) 207 608 2000

http://www.openDemocracy.net/SUPPORT5.html

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?
We want to know what you think of openDemocracy! Please email me, Sarah Lindon, at readerseditor@opendemocracy.net.

-------------------

COLUMNS

OUR ELECTION YEAR: THE GREATER POWER
As President Bush goes fundamental, TODD GITLIN looks at the Democratic race and does the New Hampshire math

http://www.opendemocracy.net/themes/article-3-1697.jsp

BREAD & CIRCUSES: BACK TO THE FUTURE
Want to know the top five stories of 2004? Get on board DOMINIC HILTON'S time machine

http://www.opendemocracy.net/themes/article-1-1696.jsp

GLOBAL SECURITY: CHANGING THE SCRIPT
The US and Britain, failing to find WMD in Iraq, invoke a human rights justification for war. PAUL ROGERS is sceptical

http://www.opendemocracy.net/themes/article-2-1702.jsp

WORLD DIARY: LIBYA, OH LIBYA!
Gaddafi the "statesman", Iraq the "market economy", DICK CHENEY the "evil genius" - and Neo-con fashion! Dominic Hilton gets serious

http://www.opendemocracy.net/other_content/article-1703-worlddiary.jsp

--------------------

Please forward this email to friends and colleagues!

Email preferences:
To change your default email to html, and to manage other aspects of your account, please log into the openDemocracy website and go to the MY ACCOUNT link (situated below the search field).

openDemocracy.net never sends unsolicited email. To stop receiving this free and informative weekly email, please email theo. edwards@opendemocracy.net with the word REMOVE in the subject line (don't forget to tell us why - we can always improve)

Send cheques, postcards and letters to:
openDemocracy, 23-25 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DN, UK
tel: +44 (0)20 7608 2000
fax: +44 (0)20 7608 2666