The broad consensus within Chinese society and the political leadership that stability is essential for China to make the transition from a middle income economy to a high income economy will tilt public pressure in the interest of stability for prosperity despite the frequent expressions of dissent across the country.

Rule of Law means displacing the CCP from its paramount position. Historical evolution suggests that the new system has to be either liberal democracy or a system with a Chinese nomenclature but with a liberal essence.

Egypt is realizing that democracy is not an easily procured fruit, especially in a nation where political movements have been suppressed for decades and peoples’ sentiments can be easily swayed either way.

Genuine negotiation efforts, timely discussions, and broader participation of groups asserting rights based on identity are necessary to help break the impasse in Nepali politics on the issue of federalism.

Nepal’s Constituent Assembly did have some positive achievements, the most important among these being the integration of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the UCPN-M, although it failed to fulfil its other main task of finalising a constitution.

The only way out for King Abdullah seems to be to commit himself to truly representative democracy and all-inclusive development.

Rulers of Gulf states should initiate reforms to accommodate the voices and aspirations of different sections of their societies.

The people’s movement, in bringing down the former President Hosni Mubarak, has once again showed the power of peaceful protest and ideas. There are many lessons to be learnt from the transformative developments.

The peace process was deadlocked, with extreme polarization within and among the political parties on various issues.