Posts About Europe
Obama and Europe's Old-World Walls: David Ignatius, April 4th 7:10pm
Obama's call for 'partnership' transcended the medieval walls and once-closed communities of the ancient cities in the Old World where he was speaking, particularly here in a little town in Alsace.
Is the EU Unraveling?
After Ireland voted down EU reforms last week, we're left wondering: Is the EU unraveling?...
No Such Thing As Europeans
The inhabitants of the Old World still have not shown anything resembling a common soul, and probably never will.
Irish Vote Won't Throw EU Off Track
The results of the referendum in Ireland only show that people in a small country like to pull on the mustache of the lion.
Dialogue of the Deaf: Europe's Muslim "Problem"
The debate over a Dutch politican's film that attacks the Koran is a dialogue of the deaf, where fear of the future has kept each side from understanding what the other thinks and feels.
Mideast Needs Consensus Islamists
There is nowhere in the world where the victory of a moderate Islamic party is more important for us than in the Middle East. Numerous Arab columnists have already written calls for Islamists to learn from the lessons of Erdogan and his party. The first lesson is that Islamists must accept and play by the democratic rules of the 21st century.
What Would Ataturk Do?
The battle between reformers and the state has been taking place in Turkey for over a century. Ataturk's rebellion, begun in 1908, established the secular republic we know today. It is ironic that the ideological descendants of Ataturk's rebels are now the reactionary establishment against which the "reformist Islamists" are rebelling.
Without Justice and Order, An Empire Cannot Rule
America's imperial temptations and its democratic ideals have long pulled the nation in opposite directions. The U.S. invaded Iraq in the name of liberty and justice, but not only did it violate its own declared values, it failed to bring about the most important outcome that legitimizes the rule of an empire: order.
Waiting for Biggest Kid on the Block to Grow Up
Why is Russia in the G8? It is far from a consolidated democracy, or a fully developed economy. But Russia is already in the club, so the best approach would be to try to make it one of us. Putin takes advantage of Europe and the U.S.'s fears of Russia. He should instead be held to higher standards of conduct.
Authoritarian Bully & Imperial Wannabe
Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin elite claim that the West has ignored, neglected, underestimated or bullied Russia for more than a decade. Perception can mirror reality. But we also need Russia -- the Russia unafraid to use its gas exports and UN Security Council veto for its own interests. Russia will need close attention again.
Accepting Difference in Our Workforce
Globalization and immigration are twins. Germany exported more goods than anybody else last year, with globalization at the heart of its economic recovery. As Germany begins to import labor again, it will show that it has learned. In the 1960s the country invited many Eastern Europeans and Turks in as "guest workers" -- but over time realized it had received human beings.
Fund Jobs in Migrants' Homelands
The discussion on immigration (including this question) focuses too much on issues like amnesty and high walls. We need to change the debate to include the need for rich countries to invest in poorer countries, so that people will find jobs at home and not have to risk life and limb to reach the first world.
America's as Good as Gold
Over the past century America’s image followed the curve of a sine wave. At the beginning of the period feelings toward the U.S. were moderately positive, and the most common adjectives used were synonyms of “rich” and “good.” Before World...
Mixed Up in the Wrong Crowd
The West is about to lose the only formidable leader in the cohort of the past age. Tony Blair’s tragedy is that he has been surrounded by Jacques Chirac, Gerhard Schröder and George Bush -- the most disappointing team of Western leaders since World War II.
Style over Substance, Unfinished Plans
Tony Blair has managed to present himself as a flexible politician while choosing politics over policy. He promised to be a grand modernizer and many of his achievements are noteworthy. But the past 10 years have seen more media spin than effective reform; Britain has moved away from Europe and lost economic competitiveness.
Authoritarian Bully Wants Respect
The most comforting interpretation of the disturbing new tone from Moscow circles around elections: Vladimir Putin is in his last year as Russian President and wants to be remembered as the man who stood up to goliath.
Cold War Enemies Do Business Today
This question has unfortunate undertones left over from the Cold War era. The so-called West as a political unit is a relic of that era. But the U.S. does not speak for Europe as it once did, and Europe and Russia often do business in mutually beneficial ways.
The World Wants a Balance of Power
In comparison to the cards that the United States holds and that this administration is not shy about using, I think the Russians are way behind in wielding power.
New Energy at the Ballot Box
France is showing strong commitment to the democratic process, and that process is bearing fruit. This first round of voting has been characterized by many novelties, including high voter turnout and two winners from a new generation of politicians.
