The president's party is trying to recover from a series of political setbacks.
President Juan Manuel Santos is attempting to enhance his security credentials ahead of the 2014 election.
A militant group has vowed unspecified, albeit credible, attacks.
Developing a few inland cities alone is unlikely to reduce economic imbalances or social tensions.
A lower target would have short-term benefits but long-term drawbacks for Madrid and the European Union.
Bamako has shown its commitment to assisting foreign militaries in security operations.
Financial and political constraints will make it harder for many governments to maintain balance in the coming months.
Wuhan's transformations over the years reflect the extremely tight relationship between politics and economics in China.
Berlin must convince the country's population that European integration is vital for prosperity.
China's publicizing of a half-century-old deal signals that it is preparing to increase pressure on Vietnam.