As convoys of dark cars shuttled along roads closed to other traffic, most attention fell on the diplomacy.

ECONOMIST: The Mediterranean Union

Outside the cities, sandbags and checkpoints still halt traffic every five miles, at least until dark when soldiers tend to retreat to their barracks.

ECONOMIST: Algeria

One of Hollywood's most bankable stars, Del Toro has made a name for himself playing dark and brooding characters in movies like "21 Grams, " "The Usual Suspects, " and "Traffic, " for which he won an Oscar.

CNN: Benicio Del Toro's revolutionary turn