Blogger S. Azmat Hassan analyzes the recent policy talks between U.S. and Pakistani officials. He explains that, as is often the case between a superpower and a much weaker country, the relationship brightens up when the former needs the latter in some capacity. But, it reverts to the doldrums when that requirement subsides.

Compared to other regions, the Arab world has been experiencing one of the fastest population growth rates -- over 2% per year -- which has led to more than its doubling within the last 30 years. Worldfocus discusses Middle Eastern demographics with Patrick Gerland, a demographer at the United Nations Population Division.

While no full-scale agreement was reached in Copenhagen, a non-binding political accord emerged from the conference, which China and India just endorsed last week. We look deeper at the immediate consequences of climate change on small islands. Ronald Jumeau and May Boeve join Martin Savidge to discuss how to stop global warming.

In Mexico, an American couple and a third person were killed over the weekend just across the U.S. border in Ciudad Juarez, a city consumed by drug violence. All three of the dead were connected to the U.S. Consulate there, underscoring the risks of living and working in that city. But, as Tom Ackerman of Al Jazeera English reports, the violence is widespread.

In this Worldfocus signature story, we take another look at the drastic consequences of climate change. The Maldives, an island chain off the southwest coast of India, find themselves being consumed by rising sea levels. For a look at how the Maldives are trying to deal with the problem, Worldfocus producer Megan Thompson traveled there recently.