Paraguay's Congress

• In third place is Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika who last week conducted a cabinet reshuffle that saw Ahmed Ouyahia become prime minister for the third time.  Ouyahia is known for his pro-business stance, yet the reshuffle is more likely connected with Bouteflika's desire to amend the constitution to enable him to stand for a third term next year.  However, the constitution is not the only thing standing in Bouteflika's way.  Last year he survived an assassination attempt by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and now concerns over his health -- he is reported to have stomach cancer -- have raised doubts over the succession.
• In second place, the Pentagon, which has responded to concerns about the paucity of social science research for intelligence and security purposes by launching a substantial new academic initiative, the 'Minerva' programme.  The move is designed to enhance knowledge in key areas such as China, religion, and terrorism.  While Minerva faces critics within academia, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has demonstrated sensitivity, and argued that the programme may pay national security dividends, boost US soft power, and generate valuable intellectual capital.
• This week's winner is Paraguay's Congress, which has blocked President Duarte Frutos from resigning his position as President.   Constitutionally barred from seeking another term in office, Frutos had hoped to resign as president so that he could be sworn in as a senator in the new Congress that will take office this week.  By staying away from Congress, Frutos's legislative opponents refused to provide a quorum to consider his resignation.   The president, who claimed that the action was 'political persecution', now faces an uncertain future.  If Congress refuses to consider his resignation in the next few days, Frutos may lose not only his seat, but also his hope of maintaining immunity from any future corruption proceedings.