Posts About European Union
Biden's Unfinished Balkan Business
Let's hope last week's visit was the start of a new era in American involvement in the region.
Finding the Highest Common Denominator
In an interlinked economy, long-term benefits go to countries that know how to regulate.
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.
Ireland Takes the EU Spotlight
The Irish, of all people, hold Europe's fate in their hands with a single vote.
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.
Turks Flirt with Picking Russia over EU
When Putin made his hard-line speech at the Munich conference on security, the Turkish public got truly excited. Given what they perceive to be the arrogance of the West, not to mention its double standards, many Turks side with Russia.
AIDS & Terrorism Didn't Bring Us Together
There are so many common problems in the world that have not been solved. Famine, AIDS and terrorism are planetary emergencies, yet rich and poor nations remain far apart. And governments elected every four years care little about long-term global warming.
African Union Needs Entrance Exam
Africa's future prosperity lies in individual countries pooling their markets, resources and goals. The African Union can learn from the EU, if its members learn to pay the costs of union. They need mandatory governance standards, and will have to cede some sovereignty.
Europe’s Immigrants Need Turkey
Whether Europe is the way of the future will depend on what Europe does with its own people. One of the main challenges Europe faces today is how to integrate its immigrant communities. The continent may need its own civil rights movement, and it cannot succeed without Turkey.
Greece Changed EU, Can Small States Still?
Greece, a small country on the tip of the Balkan Peninsula, was the poorest member by far when it joined the EU's predecessor in 1981. But Greece was able to fight for attention and development aid, benefiting members to come. Today the EU has 27 members, many poorer than Greece. The union needs to continue to listen to them.
Ready for the Asian Union?
As China and India rise to global economic powers, it's becoming clear that Asia would benefit from a common market in the model of the EU. But is Asia politically ready for such a leap? The East needs new visionary leaders to start the debate over its future.
My Boundless, Borderless Generation Europe
My Europe today is the continent of the Eurorail Pass, bi-national marriages, the student exchange program generation, and Germans buying houses across the river -- welcomed by the French. But as recently as the 1980s I remember things very differently. Europe changed everything for me.
Triumph of Community Over Bloody War
The political progress of European nations after World War II has been simply remarkable. Within a few decades, centuries of hostilities were set side. Let us hope that it can export the lessons it so effectively learned to the rest of the world.
Eastern European View: Tough, But Worth It
The EU is made up of two groups: traditionally developed Western European states, and the rest of us. Even after joining in 2004, Hungary needs a great deal of aid to catch up. Only then can the EU agree on common policies enough to be an effective superpower in the rest of the world.
Everyone Gains, But It’s a Difficult Road
Albanians and Bulgarians make up the bulk of immigrants to Greece. They come from neighboring countries, causing concern that one day sizable communities may begin to push an irredentist agenda.
Some Delicate Diplomacy, Please
America plays diplomacy like it plays sports. It's too bad American sports don't end in a tie. Instead, they end in "sudden death". Always having an absolute winner is dangerous.
Yes, And It's No Favor
Istanbul, Turkey - Since the Pope is infallible, we can't question his judgment, can we? Joking aside, he's right, Turkey should join the EU.
Turkey Must Change First
Athens, Greece - Turkey must live up to the standards set by the EU before joining it.
