By Mubarak Zeb Khan

Talks between Pakistan and India on trade liberalisation have certainly gained traction, with the former agreeing to further open its market to the latter by February 2012. Yet the willingness shown informally by the two neighbours is still dogged by old rivalries and self-interest that would restrict access to the market. What is holding back real liberalisation? Is it a matter of clashing national interests, as perceived by the ‘establishment’, or is it the vested interests of the business elites in each country?

By Stewart Lansley

In their report, “Divided We Stand”, the OECD has called for tougher action by governments to reverse the increasingly common trend towards greater inequality. It is a timely call. Such action may be the only hope of preventing the economy from sliding into a prolonged era of slump.

By Hall Gardner

Revolutions have overthrown post-colonial regimes throughout the Middle East and north Africa, but the region is still in a delicate phase of transition. Rivalry between Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey could destabilize the region further, with dire consequences.

By Ruth Grove-White

This week the coalition government has new cause to regret strapping itself to a pledge of reducing net migration to the “tens of thousands” per year by 2015. The latest outlook report from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) shows that even the government’s expert advisors assume this target will not be met.