First one in 4/8 Economist (Badawi's grand plan (subscription required), p. 42) speaks to that all-important lead goose called Malaysia.
Key quote: "Many other middle-income countries do little more than dream of joining the rich world. Malaysia draws up elaborate plans on how to do it, and spends a fortune implementing them."
This latest plan puts less emphasis on grand infrastructure and "more on the human side of development."
Sounds to me like Badawi realizes that The Train's Engine Can Travel No Faster Than Its Caboose.
Second story (Islam in Europe, by Charlemagne, p. 55) explores my notion that political reformation of Islam in Europe (the rise of Islamist parties) will send a strong feedback to the Mideast. Naturally, French academic Olivier Roy is cited. Reading his book ("Globalized Islam") gave me the idea. Charlemagne apparently made the same connection.
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