Middle East: The Human Development

The UN's last report on human development was published at the end of 2007. This report is a mine of data, which can make the many social dynamics of the Middle East comprehensible, in particular the way in which wealth is distributed in the region. Continue...

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Mauro Scalercio

(14 May 2008)

Palestine: Minority Resistance Movements

The Palestinian political scene is composed of numerous and very different realities and is not broken down into the one clash between Fatah and Hamas. Other important movements whose purely political actions correspond to a tough armed fight are also present. Despite the evident organisational and military inferiority compared to the organization of the two principal factions, these smaller groups hold a weight that must not in any way be underestimated. The Nahel Oz attack was only one initial demonstration of this.. Continue...

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Marco Di Donato

(07 May 2008)

The United States: the environmental crisis and the political debate

“Going green” has become popular in the U.S., resulting in an increased awareness of the complexity of environmental issues as well as personal responsibility and activism. The frontrunners in the presidential elections have had to respond to these issues with tangible plans. 2008 may be the first time in the history of the United States that the environment will play a substantial role in the presidential campaign and, probably, will have an important impact on the final choice. Continue...

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Robin J. Merritt

(28 April 2008)

Algeria: Between Terrorism and Political Instability

Instability remains one of the leitmotifs of Algerian politics. In addition to frequent terrorist attacks, other internal agents contribute to destabilisation of an already precarious situation. The latest planned strikes of union organisations and the social turmoil for constitutional reform represent the hotspots of the recent political agenda in Algeria. Continue...

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Daniela Chibbaro

(09 April 2008)

Morocco: the definition of the political agenda from royal protagonists to activism in civil society

Since the beginning of his reign, in 1999, Mohammed VI has followed the political opening began by his father, Hassan II. Nowadays, Morocco represents, for several reasons, one of the most liberal regimes of the entire Arabic world. However, politics continue to be dictated by the monarchy and by its close inner circle. The pre-eminence of the Palace is only partially tempered by a very active civil society. Continue...

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Doris Zaccaria

(06 February 2008)

Israel: training and protectionism of workers

The developments which have affected the Israeli work market in recent years are an extra display of the good health enjoyed by the country's economy: unemployment is in line with the average in OCSE countries and the work force is predicted to continue to grow this year. Despite these optimistic results, poverty lingers on at worrying levels within an already tense Israeli society and several segments of the population remain marginalised from the work market, excluded from well-being. After years of political revolts due almost exclusively to reductions in social subsidies and the situation concerning a foreign workforce, Israel's Government now has a new instrument with which to increase wellbeing and social cohesion, training. Continue...

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Elisa Morici

(24 January 2008)

Colombia: the Consequences of Hostages' Release and the Future of Negotiations

A few days after the release of Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzales, the climate of cooperation produced by the negotiations seems to be already over; once again, Latin America finds itself divided into several different positions, missing the opportunity to demonstrate itself as a region capable of negotiate consistently with outside countries and risking a compromise of future negotiations with FARC. Continue...

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Lucia Conti

(23 January 2008)