The recent Special Summit of the Americas, held in Monterrey, Mexico, awoke considerable interest among the international press. But press accounts of what took place relied more on commonplace than on analysis; journalists present proved better at description than serious reflection
ecentralisation has become a major priority for international development cooperation in recent years. Yet its impact has often fallen well below expectations. A more critical examination of such cooperation is necessary in order to avoid the pitfalls of the past and identify best practice for the future.However decentralisation is no panacea and the impact of national decentralisation programmes have often been disappointing
Although simply an academic question for half a century, Cuba without Fidel Castro is now knocking on the door. Will it be succession, transition, peaceful change or another cycle of national violence? From here on, many parties –both in Cuba and elsewhere, including Europe– will play a role in the uncertain Cuban future
If there is one thing we should learn from recent terrorist actions, it is the terrorists’ ability to surprise us. This first large-scale Islamist attack in Europe has shown that what some dismissed as alarmist scaremongering has now become a reality.