Crisis in Mali: Could the Sahara become a haven for al Qaeda?

A caliphate in West Africa? Doubtful. But François Picard’s panel fears the Islamist push in Mali’s lawless north will only trigger more chaos after a coup in that landlocked West African state.

DEBATE

Jeremy KEENAN, Professor of African studies at SOAS, University of London;
Akli SH'KKA, Imuhagh International Youth Organization for Justice and Equality;
Thomas DEMPSEY, Chair of Security Studies, Africa Center for Strategic Studies;
Vincent FLOREANI, Deputy Spokesperson, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
Cyril VANIER, France 24 senior correspondent.
Watch the second part

Program prepared and produced by Christopher Davies, Anelise Borges and Mary Colombel

Presenter

François Picard

02/03/2011 - THE DEBATE

Is Saudi Arabia in trouble?

Should we be worried about Saudi Arabia? With dissent at the doorstep of the world’s largest oil producer, the Kingdom may be rich but it still has the same problems as its neighbours – high inflation and high youth unemployment coupled with demands for more freedom. Will it be reform or revolution inside the home to Islam’s holiest sites? Uncertainty is already weighing worldwide on prices at the pump.

01/03/2011 - THE DEBATE

Libya: What should the West do? (part 2)

Western leaders ponder the military option in ousting Muammer Gaddafi but François Picard's panel is divided with some saying let the Lybians finish the job themselves.

01/03/2011 - THE DEBATE

Libya: What should the West do?

Western leaders ponder the military option in ousting Muammer Gaddafi but François Picard's panel is divided with some saying let the Lybians finish the job themselves.

(1) comment

25/02/2011 - THE DEBATE

Portrait of a tyrant: who is the real Gaddafi?

In power for over 40 years, Libya’s Muammar Gadhafi is the Arab world’s longest serving leader. He was once dubbed the mad dog of the middle east by US President Ronald Reagan and this week he lived up to his nickname by promising to annihilate his opponents in a ranting hour long speech. Just how far is Gadhafi prepared to go in order to hold on to power?