"He's pragmatic, prepared to compromise, accepts budget discipline and he'll be under enormous pressure from the markets, " says Claire Demesmay, French expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

CNN: After 'Merkozy,' what next for Europe?

"There is always a story every year, " French football expert Philipe Auclair told CNN.

CNN: January 7, 2013 -- Updated 1530 GMT (2330 HKT)

Bridgette Alexander, a Chicago-based expert in 19th-century French art history and philosophical culture, used to hide her TV habit from her scholarly friends like "a rendezvous with a secret lover, " she says.

WSJ: Can We Please Stop Talking About TV?

But Russia expert Wallander says the new French president's high-profile foreign policy, including his promise to stand up to Russia, will help frustrate Moscow's attempt to maintain an anti-U.S. front with major European countries.

NPR: Rice, Gates Appeal to Moscow for Missile Defense

British expert Ben Laurie has joined the criticism of the French court saying the decision was "half-assed".

BBC: Experts question Yahoo auction ruling

The Defence Committee (10.30am) is looking at big picture defence policy with expert witnesses Lord Hennessy, Professor Julian Lindley-French and General Mungo Melvin.

BBC: Week ahead in committees

It was methodical research, typical of a man who determinedly became a wine expert after being embarrassed by his youthful ignorance when entertaining French customers.

ECONOMIST: Face value