麻豆约拍

Alan Johnston presents insight, wit and analysis from 麻豆约拍 correspondents around the world. In this edition, despatches from the streets of Syria and Ecuador's Amazon rainforest.

Chants, marches and speeches in Syria

Lina Sinjab in Damascus says that Syria, too, has been caught up in the clamour for change that's sweeping the Middle East. Although the al-Assad family has controlled the presidency for more than 40 years, the ruling regime is being challenged now as never before. Inspired by events in Tunis and Cairo, Syrians have been protesting in cities all across the country.

Oil and ambition in the Amazon rainforest

Oil production is crucially important to Ecuador; its government may soon allow the oil companies to push even further into the country's share of the Amazon rainforest region. But as Linda Pressly finds out, this jungle is a sacred home for groups of indigenous people. They fear the impact that more exploration might have on their ecologically fragile world. Even one of the guiding spirits of the Amazon is said to be uneasy.