Abstract
After the Cold War, the fascination for technology shaped American strategic choices in a way that led to excessively expensive armies on account of their equipment. Moreover, this equipment has proven to be inadequate in the case of current conflicts. As the United States is adjusting its views on the matter, technology and the concept of interoperability have to be kept in the right perspective: they must serve strategies, and not substitute for them.

Vincent DESPORTES, major general, is Head of the Collège interarmées de Défense (CID). Graduated from Saint-Cyr and a cavalry officer, he is a commissioned engineer from École supérieure de guerre. He also holds a degree from the War College and has been a military attaché to the United States. He published numerous articles and several books on tactical and strategical questions.

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Abstract
Nicolas Sarkozy's mid-term foreign policy is characterized by its pragmatism, its activism and the will to transform France into a key partner in current issues. But are these changes within French diplomacy deep enough? Furthermore, one can wonder if this policy is as flexible as it should be, given that France is a not a major power and that it has to rationalize its means, redeploy its missions and reinforce its ability to weigh on decisions.

Frédéric CHARILLON teaches political science at Université d'Auvergne and at Institut d'études politiques de Paris. He wrote Relations internationales (Paris, La Documentation française, 2008), and La politique étrangère, Nouveaux regards (Paris, Presses de Sciences Po, 2006).

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Abstract
The Muslim Brotherhood, which is the most important Islamic group in the Arabic world, is widely represented in Europe. Its following is composed of a large variety of organizations, whose religious practises vary in their orthodoxy. As they choose to integrate into society both nationally and locally, especially in France, their position has been somewhat normalized. This situation opens an ideological crisis within the movement that, in turn, weakens its militant strength.

Samir AMGHAR is about to present his sociology thesis at École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS). He is now working as a consultant for the Swiss Defense ministry and teaches seminars at EHESS. He coordinated Islamismes d'Occident. État des lieux et perspectives (Paris, Lignes de repères, 2006) and co-edited European Policy. Challenges for Society and Public Policy (Bruxelles, CEPS, 2008).

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Abstract
'Hunger riots in Sub-Saharan Africa are not only explained by the rise in prices of agricultural raw materials. In fact, food insecurity has a triple origin: a decrease in the availability of products, a decline in monetary income, and the deterioration of social safety nets. Beyond this, the question is what development concept should be applied to these societies.'

Pierre JANIN has been a geographer at Institut de recherche pour le développement since 1995 and works on the future of family agricultures and the management of food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa. He coordinated with B. Giblin an issue of Herodote on the issues raised by the global food crisis, and is preparing a special report entitled 'The governance of hunger' for Politique africaine.

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Abstract
Evolutionist theories tend to sacrifice agriculture to the benefit of industrial development and services. Food production must be developed instead, especially since it is central to the future of Africa. To achieve this aim, African agriculture must be protected from more efficient competitors. WTO rules have to be adapted to regional specificities so that necessary, tailor-made policies can be implemented.

Hervé GAYMARD, elected representative and president of the Conseil général de Savoie, held various governmental positions (Economy and Finances, Agriculture, Health and Social Security). He wrote several books and reports on globalization and food issues.

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Abstract
The causes of the failure of the WTO negotiations in Geneva are the contradictions embedded in the negotiations cycle itself, and not the question of subsidies and protectionism, as it has generally been portrayed. By renaming this negotiation 'development cycle' soon after its opening in Doha, a new rationale has been sought, that has nevertheless proven highly counterproductive.

Tancrède VOITURIEZ, economist at Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), is an associate researcher and the head of the 'Global governance' programme at Institut du développement durable et des relations internationales (IDDRI). He currently works on international cooperation with respect to trade and development.

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Abstract
In order to feed the world population, which in the next four decades will amount to 9 billion, agricultural production should increase by circa 50%. This target is not out of reach, provided that several conditions are fulfilled: implementing mechanisms which reduce prices volatility, increasing food supply in a context of sustainable growth, stopping waste and securing trade.

Hervé GUYOMARD, scientific head for social sciences, sciences for action and development and mathematics at Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA), coordinated the prospective initiative on European and French agriculture after 2013 (a joint initiative of Crédit agricole, Groupama and INRA). He was vice-president of the group Rare resources and Environment within the France 2025 Prospective at Conseil d'analyse stratégique (CAS).

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Abstract
Since independence, a decision-making system has been built which monopolizes different levels of decision in the hands of 'the pretorian'. At the end of the 1980s, having been opposed by the temporary alliance between those who were in power and the Islamic movement, reforms failed. After the bleak 1990s, President Bouteflika has succeeded, up to a certain point, in imposing a new balance between different circles of power, but the system set up in the 1960s is still in place.

Mohammed HACHEMAOUI holds a Ph.D. in political science (Institut d'études politiques de Paris). He works on the sociology of clientelism, corruption, the spread of the rentier State, and the resilience of authoritarianism. An invited professor at Université de Perpignan, he is currently writing a book on vicious circles that mix clientelism and corruption in contemporary Algeria.

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Abstract
Soon after achieving independance, Algeria adopted an interventionist economic model that focused on the oil industry, after which reforms made during the 1980s fell short. In the middle of the 1990s, the threat of an economic collapse forced the government to implement free-market reforms, which entailed serious difficulties for a great part of the population, even though a persisting informal sector brought some relief. Although the oil industry has been liberalized, it is still not enough to stimulate the rest of the economy today.

Kassim BOUHOU is a Ph.D. candidate at Université Paris III-Sorbonne nouvelle and works on Mediterranean issues.

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Abstract
Its activism in favour of Western Sahara undermined the reach of Algerian diplomacy. The chaos that was registered in the 1990s secluded Algeria from the international scene, where only the antiterrorist struggle was taken into consideration. Bouteflika has improved the international image of Algeria, but some doubts remain as to the choices of his third term, i.e. its would-be openings, the building up of a Maghrebine community, its relationship with France, and so on.

Akram BELKAID is a journalist and an essayist.

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Abstract
The North African branch of Al Qaida is essentially Algerian. The renewed Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) has a larger project though: not only is it covering all the North African area, but it also represents a new kind of terrorism, seeking to overcome the Algerian question with a geopolitical approach based on an opposition between the West and Islam. This transformation has taken by surprise the Algerian regime, whose policy still relies on a repressive system and on the proposal of an amnesty.

Lakhdar BENCHIBA is a political analyst and a journalist in Algiers, and is particularly interested in the obstacles to democratic transition. Among other publications, he contributed to the work edited by K. Mohsen-Finan, L'Algérie : une improbable sortie de crise ? (Paris, Ifri, " Notes de l'Ifri ", n° 37, 2002).

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Abstract
French European policy suffers from a set of inadequacies: it is not clearly designed from an institutional point of view, and the division of labour between the different governmental services is not clear-cut. France should intervene earlier within the European institutions and improve the way its national institutions prepare European decisions by making their actions more consistent.

Emmanuel AUBER is a civil servant and a teacher at Institut d'études politiques (IEP) in Paris. He holds a Ph.D. in community law (Paris II-Panthéon Assas), a degree from Collège d'Europe and Harvard, and regularly publishes his works in several law reviews.

Xavier DESMAISON holds a degree from École supérieure de sciences économiques et commerciales (ESSEC) and IEP Paris, and is a partner in a strategy and public affairs consultancy. He teaches European questions at IEP Paris.

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Abstract
Lessons can be drawn from past crises – the 1929 krach, the Japanese crisis of the 1990s – for current national economic policies. Policymakers must be aware of the seriousness of liquidity crises that threaten the economy. To avoid them, the financial system must be cleaned up, and fiscal policies supporting economic growth must be developed. There is also a need for international coordination, especially concerning reforms in the financial system, that should address the main dilemma: allowing the free flow of capital or setting barriers against it.

Pierre-Noël GIRAUD teaches economics at École des Mines ParisTech and Université de Paris-Dauphine. He works on the globalization of businesses and finance, and on sustainable development.

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