A big freeze in Franco-Algerian relations as domestic politics drive international diplomacy. France is full of dinosaur bones, but short on paleongolotists to dig them up. And France's law decriminalising abortion turns 50.
The often fraught relations between France and its former colony Algeria have hit an all-time low after a series of disagreements over Western Sahara, the detention of a French-Algerian writer and a French-Algerian blogger accused of inciting violence. Both countries have spoken of "humiliation" and "dishonour". Arab world specialist Adlene Mohammedi talks about bilateral relations being polluted by internal affairs – notably Algiers' lack of democratic legitimacy and the increasing influence of the far right in France. And while the sorely needed level-headed diplomacy is more needed than ever, it's been run down in both countries. (Listen @2'05'')
