Is democracy dawning in Burma?

Just over a year ago, the leader of Burma's pro-democracy movement Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest. Today, her country seems to be moving full steam ahead towards democracy. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé recently visited Suu Kyi in Burma. Shortly afterwards, the "Lady of Rangoon" registered as a candidate for a parliamentary by-election in April. So is a Burmese spring on the horizon?

FOCUS

By FRANCE 24

CAUCASUS

Russian human rights activists under siege

In this edition: After charity head Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband were found dead in Chechnya in yet another murder of an NGO worker in the conflict-torn region, Focus looks at the dangers of being a human rights activist in Russia.

TERRORISM

Indonesia rattled by appearance of radical Islam

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, has long felt shielded from the threat of radical Islamists. But the July attacks in Jakarta and a recent shootout with suspected terrorists have dispelled this feeling of safety.

FOCUS

Mauritania's fight against terrorism

The recent suicide bombing near the French embassy in Mauritania's capital has once again highlighted terrorist activity in the country, something that newly elected president Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz has promised to fight against.

FOCUS

A wave of kidnappings in Kenya

Since the beginning of this year, an estimated 200 people have been kidnapped in in Kenya. The police suspect the Mungiki sect to be behind this new worrying phenomenon, but others say the group is a convenient scapegoat.

SRI LANKA

What future for the Tamils?

Sri Lanka organised Saturday the first vote since the government forces defeated the Tigers three months ago. However, the situation is still unsecured and the country still ethnically divided with 300 000 Tamils detained in refugee camps.