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Winds of change in Algeria and the ‘browning’ of America

Algeria seems impervious to the Arab Spring, but that might be changing – plus a report on the rise of Hispanics in the United States.

Dispatches on political change in Algeria and the shifting demographics of America.
When revolution swept through Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and the Middle East, many Maghreb-watchers believed the winds of change would surely blow in their direction too. And yet Algeria, Tunisia's vast neighbour to west, has remained utterly impervious. Or has it? Veteran Algeria reporter, Eileen Byrne, wonders if she can't hear a slight breeze of change rustling through the country.

Also in the programme, Simon Worrell asks if the United States in changing its ethnic make-up in a lasting way. Despite tough talk on policing the country’s southern border, in reality there has been a sharp drop in the number of migrants being deported in recent years. And the Latino community, already well-established, is growing and branching out. The phenomenon has a label: it’s called the ‘browning’ of America.
Presenter: Pascale Harter
Producer: Mike Wendling
Photo: A poster showing Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika hangs on a building in the center of Algiers on 18 April. (PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Available now

11 minutes

Broadcast

  • Wed 30 Apr 2014 19:50GMT