France, Mali, Venezuela

Pascale Harter introduces personal experiences, stories and analysis from correspondents around the world.

In this edition, Hugh Schofield wonders whether military action in Mali means a return to the bad old days of "Francafrique" - and how on earth a post-colonial Socialist President ended up sending troops to a former French colony.

In Caracas, Will Grant tries to imagine life in Venezuela without President Chavez, who's even more conspicuous than usual at the moment - by his absence, rather than his presence, from the nation.