ABSTRACT In March 2023, the inaugural version of the Indian Women’s Premier League (WPL) tournament took place in India and it was notable for several reasons: it was by far the richest women’s tournament in cricket and one could argue even more lucrative for athletes than women’s golf or football; the tournament received the financial support of the three largest business houses in India; and the tournament was seen as a major advance for Indian women, especially in the sporting world. This article examines how this tournament emerged, its impact on the global game of cricket, and whether it will add to the growing power of the Board for the Control of Cricket in India (BCCI). Further, does this new franchise add to the development of Indian soft power?

ABSTRACT Reviewing the state of the Commonwealth going into the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, this article focuses on the political dynamics, the promotion of norms, the state of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the role of Commonwealth civil society. CHOGM showed these dynamics at work, with a strong emphasis on Global South issues, especially those affecting Small Island Developing States (SIDS)/small states, but with involvement also from Global North members. Issues concerning the enforcement of the Commonwealth Charter came to the fore, especially for civil society. The article argues that the underlying political dynamics are likely to continue, with the appointment of a new Secretary-General providing an opportunity to re-focus.

ABSTRACT This article discusses the conflict between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor, Ian Khama, in Botswana. It argues that the conflict is a struggle for the control of the Botswana state and its resources. Ian Khama, whose family has controlled the state since independence, sought to oust his successor so he re-gains control. To achieve this, Khama employed three strategies: supporting his successor’s challenger within the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in 2019, forming a loose alliance with the opposition during the 2019 general election, and conducting an international campaign against the regime of his successor.

ABSTRACT All Commonwealth summit communiqués from the late 1960s through to the mid-1990s maintained a focus on the Palestinian conflict and highlighted approaches that could lead to its just resolution. Whilst pressure peaked in the late 1970s and 1980s, the most significant issue – potential Palestinian membership – arose only in 1997. A decision was deferred and Palestine has not been mentioned in summit communiqués since. Continued disengagement has dovetailed with a time-shrunken summit and resource-depleted Commonwealth Secretariat. Nevertheless, the Commonwealth can and should re-engage by providing a realistic roadmap (including Secretariat support) for Palestinian membership that benchmarks internal standards but is not dependent on Israeli or similar factors outside the Palestinian Authority’s direct control.