Financial Times Commentary 3/22

Financial Times - Comment   Middle East needs more than fine words John Kerry’s good diplomatic intentions are worthless if President Barack Obama is not ready to take risks, writes Philip Stephens http://link.ft.com/r/R5WAEE/JQUQE0/UUPHQX/WTFL5I/1OI5RE/LE/h?a1=2013&a2=3&a3=22   Homes ruse will not rebuild the economy The fundamental lesson from the crisis – that the market cannot sensibly finance such high loan-to-value ratios – is now being thrown away, writes Martin Wolf http://link.ft.com/r/R5WAEE/JQUQE0/UUPHQX/WTFL5I/T1M0DZ/LE/h?a1=2013&a2=3&a3=22   Berlin is right to say no gain without pain Insisting on financial discipline in the rescue of profligate countries such as Cyprus puts Germany in a tough position, writes Josef Joffe http://link.ft.com/r/R5WAEE/JQUQE0/UUPHQX/WTFL5I/HIB3CR/LE/h?a1=2013&a2=3&a3=22   A call to reverse urbanisation in Asia Governments must make the villages and townships that still house most Asians places that offer decently paid work, writes Chandran Nair http://link.ft.com/r/R5WAEE/JQUQE0/UUPHQX/WTFL5I/GYHN0E/LE/h?a1=2013&a2=3&a3=22   After the laughter, who quizzes Dimon? The star banker’s witty ripostes have proved no match for a flurry of punchy one-liners from the senate corner, writes Gary Silverman http://link.ft.com/r/R5WAEE/JQUQE0/UUPHQX/WTFL5I/6AJDU3/LE/h?a1=2013&a2=3&a3=22   US ‘snowbird’ effect is what Europe needs If hordes of German pensioners could be forced to holiday in Greece or Cyprus, that might rectify pesky current account balances http://link.ft.com/r/R5WAEE/JQUQE0/UUPHQX/WTFL5I/87FILT/LE/h?a1=2013&a2=3&a3=22   China spins away from propaganda In a sign of changing times in Beijing, China’s new leaders are tailoring their image in a way that marks a clear break from their predecessors http://link.ft.com/r/R5WAEE/JQUQE0/UUPHQX/WTFL5I/7ZRY1H/LE/h?a1=2013&a2=3&a3=22   French carmakers diverge on cost-cutting Renault and Peugeot’s future rests on global production and sales and more restructuring at home, says Tony Barber http://link.ft.com/r/R5WAEE/JQUQE0/UUPHQX/WTFL5I/3CQWNL/LE/h?a1=2013&a2=3&a3=22