Comment and opinion

'At the least, the election provided evidence that Algerians do not see taking to the streets as the solution to their problems, but would rather work through an imperfect political system.' Nabila Ramdani on political reform in Algeria|.

'Islamist parties are proving to be the main beneficiaries of the Arab world's political transformation. But their very success in the political arena highlights the huge challenges| they face in developing and implementing a coherent economic programme', says Fawaz Gerges.

'The diminutive 57-year-old looked tired and drawn as, gesticulating wildly in central Paris, he pleaded with voters to give him a second chance. "Frenchwomen, Frenchmen," he shouted. "Help me!"' Nabila Ramdani discusses Nicolas Sarkozy's| presidential campaign.

'Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis has forced some countries to pare back welfare programs harshly to meet austerity targets, raising a provocative question: Is the Continent’s famed social model doomed?|' asks Iain Begg.

'Lebanon is one example of how concern about the mounting civilian death toll in Syria is necessarily tempered by competing exigencies, by local politics and, in some cases, by instincts for survival.' Alia Brahimi on the  mixed feelings in Lebanon| towards events in Syria.

'France's right wing will exploit the young Muslim's apparent confession to create division, but Merah represents no one.' Nabila Ramdani discusses the politics surrounding the gun attacks in Toulouse|.

'Many troubling elements of the “Kony 2012″ campaign reflect wider problems with the pursuit of international criminal justice.'  Joe Hoover on why the interests of the victims of the Lords' Resistence Army should be prioritised| over those of the international community.

'It's the Walmart strategy applied to sugar — a full-scale "race to the bottom" for cheap labour.' Jason Hickel argues that cheap South African sugar |comes at a high human price.

'If this kind of scandal happened in other democracies there would have been a loud public outcry. But strict privacy laws and a toothless French press have seen the matter relegated to an increasingly protracted magistrates' enquiry.' Nabila Ramdani discusses the state of French politics| following Jacques Chirac's conviction of corruption.

'BRICs have robbed the US of its 21st-century unipolar moment, rewritten the rules of East-West global engagement, and reshaped the world’s trade, economic activity, and landscape of poverty.' Danny Quah introduces| an essay seeking to grasp the world's new shape.

'We live in other words not just in ‘"interesting times", but in quite extraordinary times where few in the West now appear to have much confidence any longer in the notion of the West'. Is there, asks Michael Cox, a new world economic order?|

'The secular-religious divide is the most fundamental fault line in Egyptian politics, and it is one that threatens the transition from authoritarianism to pluralism.' Fawaz Gerges on the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt's elections|

'The Algerian paradox is that its recent revolutionary history is precisely what has prevented its people profiting from the Arab Spring.' Nabila Ramdani discusses The Algerian Paradox|.

'As protestors occupy Wall Street and financial centres around the world, among the grievances are "socially useless" investment banks. But investment banking is critical to any effective economy, and the idea that policymakers can safeguard retail banking alone is not only tragically mistaken but also horribly dangerous' argues Charles Goodhart|.

'Events suggest that we may be witnessing a transition of elites rather than a democratic revolution.' David Held and Kristian Coates Ulrichsen revisit the 'Arab 1989'|

'Libya has provided the Gulf Cooperation Council states with a welcome breathing space from the pressures of the Arab Spring,'   Kristian Coates Ulrichsen on how events in Libya have allowed the GCC states to make a high-profile stand again tyranny.|

'Against all odds, the Libyan opposition are liberating a nation and overthrowing a  brutal dictatorial regime.' Ranj Alaaldin examines the victorious movement in Libya.|

“The ongoing popular revolts in the Arab world should warn western governments that the hope of creating regional political stability by providing aid to authoritarian regimes is misplaced” . Dr. Nicolas Martin rethinking aid |in the context of Pakistan.

"This phone-hacking inquiry must not lose sight of its goal"  |says Damian Tambini. "Broadening the parameters of the Leveson inquiry should not detract from a proper investigation into newspaper practices".

"Phone hacking may be dominating the headlines, but we should not forget we are still involved in conflict in the Middle East." Nabila Ramdani discusses why Gaddafi's fate is as newsworthy as Murdoch's|

"The 1961 convention should be bought up to date and demonstrate respect for indigenous cultures by abolishing article 49. In short, coca is not cocaine|" says Thomas Grisaffi.

“Brown's Commons assault on News International showed moral fervour, but let's not forget his own cynical use of the media.” Charlie Beckett comments on the issue of the phone hacking: Gordon Brown's speech was impressive – but he is still part of the problem|

"the wrong kinds of spending not only undermine fiscal sustainability, but also tend to widen income disparities and set the stage for zero-sum struggles over the resources of the state. Unfortunately, this is what is happening across the Arab world." Dr Steffen Hertog comments on the perils of economic populism in the Mideast. |

"...Ayman al-Zawahiri's ascent to al-Qaeda's leader could divert attention from a more sinister strategy." Dr Alia Brahimi discusses the changing face of Al-Qaeda 
|

“… an uncertain, divided and weak country must implement the new austerity measures, undertake parallel institutional reforms and restore its international reputation. No euro zone or E.U. state has faced this kind of challenge in recent memory.” Professor Kevin Featherstone discusses Greece on the edge|.

James Ker-Lindsay discusses why the Mladic arrest fails to draw line under Balkans conflict|.  

'Algeria has let its rioting youth down|. Entire generations have grown up surrounded by violence and not equipped with the economic know-how to escape it' says Nabila Ramdani.

'Ordinary Arabs feel empowered, on the verge of a new democratic dawn'
Fawaz Gerges discusses the democratic wave sweeping the Arab world.|

'A big wildcard is 3D. It could further boost the burgeoning £900 million British post-production sector, and will undoubtedly further increase admissions. However, the industry is still holding its breath to see whether 3D remains a fad or is here to stay.' The film indusry is endlessly resilient and 3D technology may lead to a new boom| says Gerben Bakker.

'Rumours of an impending armed clash between Hezbollah and the pro-western governing coalition have spread like wildfire among the Lebanese people, who are hoarding food and arms in anticipation of the worst.'  Fawaz Gerges on the tensions around the UN tribunal investigating the assasination of former Lebanese Prime Minister |Rafik Hariri

'War is highly profitable, serves the military's interests, and reinforces its self-justificatory perception that its primacy and monopoly control over all aspects of life in Burma are necessary.'  Maung Zarni on why little will change in Burma| despite Aung San Suu Kyi's release.

'For many of us it seems slightly odd to be told that greater spending is the cure for some of the ills caused by excessive spending in the recent past.' Max Steuer discusses the Deputy Bank of England's comments on encouraging consumer spending | 

'The Commonwealth Games crisis does not signal an absence of planning...instead, it is a symptom of an ad-hoc mode of planning'
Dr Asher Ghertner looks at the failure of 'just in time' planning |at the Delhi Commonwealth Games

'Pakistan serves its own vital national interests and only cooperates with the West to advance those interests'
Professor Fawaz Gerges discusses whether Pakistan is 'friend' or 'foe'|

'Emissions trading, for all its failures, has an internal logic that converts foes into friends and can be improved over time'
Andrés Jonathan Drew on what the United States and Australia could learn from Europe's emission trading scheme|.

'the proposed regulation is at best ineffective and at worst will impose significant costs on the European economy'
Dr Ulf Axelson and colleagues on proposed European legislation |targeted at private equity and hedge funds

'Far from a triumph for democracy, the results threaten to plunge Iraq into a constitutional and leadership vacuum.'
Professor Fawaz Gerges on Iraq's national elections|

'The world needs something like the European Union'
Professor Mary Kaldor on the need for remobilisation of popular support for the EU|

'No one considered children like my grandfather to be the bearers of any kind of choice'
Dr Kristen Rundle on Gordon Brown's apology to child migrants|

'Human rights are hard to win and easy to lose. They belong to no political parties'
Professor Franesca Klug warns against bartering precious goods for political gain.|

'We have 16 separate intelligence agencies. No wonder people aren't connecting the dots.'
Professor Luis Garicano on how the reform of the US car industry could provides some tips for restructuring the US intelligence system.|

'...regulation failed because of structural changes which made it likely that any system of regulation would fail.'
Professor Robert Wade on why financial regulation failed|

'What is alarming about the resurgence of this al Qaeda branch is its linkage to Yemen's deepening social and political crises and failing state institutions.'
Professor Fawaz Gerges on Al Qaeda in Yemen|

'A European identity firmly rooted not in one religion but in shared political values will make the EU a much more effective and credible player not only towards the Muslim world but around the globe as well.'
Professor Şevket Pamuk on how the EU would benefit from Turkey's membership |

'If Obama thinks he will be able to transfer security to an Afghan central authority in two years, he will be in for a rude awakening.'   
Professor Fawaz Gerges comments on US foreign policy in Afghanistan|

Professor Nutt should be applauded for stressing that drug policy should be based on a transparent, evidence-based classification of drugs according to their harm. But as debate intensifies, his camp is beginning to exaggerate the role of the science advisor vis-à-vis the policy maker comments Dr Katie Steele on the science-policy divide|.

'We need not accept an EU law if it undermines something that is longstanding and gives meaning and stability to people's lives. Call it "culture", "tradition" or "local way of life". We all know it when we see it. It is what brings us together.'
Professor Damian Chalmers on when not to apply EU law|

'You can't revoke your fingerprints'
The Government's identity card scheme will make us more, not less, vulnerable to identity fraud says Dr Edgar Whitley in a short film from the Research channel|.

'Obama's preference for "healing and reconciliation" - aka the soft option, because without accountability and justice there can be no healing and reconciliation - puts him on moral thin ice.'
The American President is failing to impress Professor Willem Buiter. Read more in his Maverecon blog  |from FT.com