The fathers of the constitution fudged their definition of Spain's three most independent-minded regions the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia by calling them nationalities (ie, neither full-blooded nations nor mere regions).

ECONOMIST: Catalonia is set to have a big role in Spain��s politics

Some sort of agreement on Europe far short of full-blooded Euroscepticism seems as important for the Tories as choosing the right leader if the party is to act as a credible opposition, never mind win the next election.

ECONOMIST: The Tory leadership

Whatever assurances the Americans may have given Mr Netanyahu, it is likely, if the proximity talks stall again, that they will bring their own bridging proposals to the table or even launch a full-blooded plan of their own.

ECONOMIST: The Middle East peace process