They did so against the background of grim predictions of climate change in the next century, including the possibility that the world's forests could themselves become producers rather than consumers of carbon dioxide.

BBC: Nature's turbulent year

Against this background, constitutional change had the estimable advantage of appearing radical but costing little.

ECONOMIST: New Labour��s gurus: Redesigning Britain’s constitution | The

Further, against today's background of collapsing dot.coms and cratering valuations for Internet ventures, Mr Centerman's change of course might jangle investors' nerves.

ECONOMIST: Face value

The forces of change and optimism like Ms Usman, or the clan militias and extremists hovering in the background, waiting for the new government to run out of money and momentum and poised to push Somalia back towards anarchy?

BBC: Somalia's struggle for unity far from over

Given the petro-background of many of Mr Bush's men, such persuasion should mute objections from those in Washington who want to change the regime in Libya before dropping sanctions or restoring ties.

ECONOMIST: Libya