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Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers.

Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers from around the world.

From Our Own Correspondent: USA and Malta

USA and Malta

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, USA and Malta

Alan Johnston with insights from Mark Mardell in the USA and Jake Wallis Simons in Malta

Alan Johnston presents stories behind the headlines from correspondents worldwide. Mark Mardell prepares for cyberwar in the USA; Jake Wallis Simons bids farewell to Malta's eccentric old bus system.

Alan Johnston introduces with and analysis from correspondents around the world. In this edition, Mark Mardell attends a mock cyberwar in the USA, while Jake Wallis Simons bids farewell to Malta's "shabby and magnificent" old buses.

On the virtual battlefield

President Obama has just announced the beginning of the end of America's war in Afghanistan. Thousands of troops are to start coming home this year. But even as Washington seeks to wind down this conflict, it's girding itself for a new one - which won't be fought by soldiers slugging it out on frontlines in faraway countries. 

As Mark Mardell explains, plans for the new conflict are being made in a very different arena, and against a very different enemy.

Goodbye to Malta's old faithfuls

London has its famous red buses, which have become symbols of the city all over the world. On the island of Malta the buses are just as remarkable - but they're all yellow and individually owned. Each bus has its own special character, slogan and, perhaps, personality. Yet the island also has terrible problems with traffic and congestion.

All that is due to change. Jake Wallis Simons has been on the streets of Valletta asking what a new replacement fleet will have to offer.

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