Search

The article discusses Europe and leftist political parties. Due to the trouble capitalism is facing with the global financial crisis leftist parties could be gaining power. However, there are 20 of the 27 European Union member states with right-wing heads of government. Also, there are many small businesses in Europe rather than unionized workers.

The article offers a discussion of the myths surrounding Russia in 2008, including that the incursion into Georgia was a success for leader Vladimir Putin, that the Cold War has begun again, that the West will not view Russia as an equal, and that the U.S. president elected in 2008 will treat Russia better. The author states that either U.S. presidential candidate will maintain tough relations with Russia.

The article discusses the economy, politics, and employment in France in 2007. The French economy is 10 percent smaller than Great Britain's and continues to slow down. 400,000 French businessmen work in Great Britain and 400,000 scientists work in the U.S. The author states that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has not delivered on promises of a modernized France. The article says that change will come when the French left and Socialist Party force Sarkozy into making deadlines for policies.

This article looks at French politics and the conservative party's selection of Nicolas Sarkozy as its candidate in the upcoming elections. In France, there is a large disparity between the poor and the wealthy, with many of the poor living on the streets of Paris. Sarkozy spoke of hard work, fairness, and responsibility, but he did not mention the poor in his announcement. Both he and Socialist opponent Segolene Royal argue for change, but the author says neither presents a compelling vision for it.

The author discusses whether former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will become president of the European Union Council. The author mentions the undefined nature of the position and whether Blair will want to stop earning large sums of money on the lecture circuit. Opinions among the British and other European countries about Blair taking the post are mentioned.

The article reports on the European Union (EU) and its efforts to select a new president in 2008. The EU president will manage the cooperation of 27 countries and the ratification of a constitution. The article discusses possible candidates, including Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

This article reports on Conservative power in Europe in 2008. Only three governments in the European Union (Great Britain, Spain, and Portugal) are exclusively governed by Left Wing politicians, greatly changing party control from what it was in the 1990s. The article overviews conservative politics in Europe and also discusses postwar conservatism, Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi, and speculation as to how the power will be used.

This article describes the success of the European Union (EU), the significant increase in employment it has created, and the amount of money it has generated for its members. The economic success is sending members from Eastern Europe to the West to help their industries succeed. Many EU citizens and politicians, though, are less aware of the EU's successes and more aware of its problems.

This article focuses on how Muslims are integrating into British society. The younger generation of Muslim women raised in Britain where jeans and T-shirts, laughing off the idea of wearing a burqa and veil--or niquab. Despite Muslims' outrage at House of Commons leader Jack Straw's suggestion that Muslim women should not wear a full-length veil, nowhere in the Koran is any such dress code established. It is modern Muslim men, the author contends, who have decided that "their" women should be separated from fellow citizens of Europe.

The article focuses on political discontent in France and Italy, which focuses on upholding the status quo and resisting change. Disputes over Muslim integration and labor flexibility in France have ignited violent protests in 2005 and 2006. Dominique de Villepin, France's flamboyant and beleaguered prime minister, is an example of European politicians who are capable only of saying no to dissenters during reform projects.

The article features Bill Browder, grandson of Communist Party USA leader Earl Browder. He finished his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Stanford University, worked for Salomon Brothers and went into business himself where he built an investment fund of 4.5 billion U.S. dollars. He was expelled in Russia in 2005, exiled himself in London, England. It provides details of how the Russians opposed against him, including the arrest and murder of his chief lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.

The article focuses on the Asian country of Japan and highlights claims to its islands which are inching up the global-security agenda. It underlines the reassertion of authoritarianism in Asia with China encouraging schools to promote patriotic education by using the history of war against Japan. According to the article, despite North Korea's weaknesses, Japan has little could do if Pyongyang launched a missile attack. The author asks if Japan needs to reach out to democratic military alliances like North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The article discusses the arrival of new politics in Europe as seen with the results of the 2010 elections in Sweden. It notes that voters in the country have withdrawn their support from traditional politics, breaking a trend in which the country dictates the European ideal mixed model of free trade and social solidarity. It adds that extremist politics has turned into a parliamentary force that is making an impact on the behavior and opinion of other parties. It relates how voter support for the extreme right is spreading across Europe.

The article describes the dispute between Turkey and Israel that has created a break between the only two democracies in the region. It says that Turkey has been coddling Iran instead of supporting the hard line taken by the United Nations (UN). It suggests that a realistic way to take Turkey back to democracy is for the U.S. and Belgium to support its membership in the European Union instead of looking for someone to blame.

The author reports on the possible impact that the German legislative election may have on the country. Topics discussed in the article include the impact that the election may have on the ability of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to pass public spending and tax policies, a debate amongst German politicians regarding the kind of economic system they would like to see Europe using and the author's opinions regarding the extent to which Germany needs to be part of the euro.

The article focuses on a rise in racist sentiments in European voters and politicians in 2010. It comments that Netherlands politician Geert Wilders used anti-Muslim, anti-Quran populism to achieve electoral victory in March of 2007. It comments on the openly anti-Jewish comments of the Hungarian Fidesz Party and of Polish right-wing groups. It talks about anti-immigrant and anti-foreigner feelings by some European voters.

The article discusses the European Union's (EU) international relations and foreign policies. The author reports on the low-profile of the EU and notes that Russia ignores international relations with the EU by seeking relations with leaders such as Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. According to the author, Europe's national leaders have placed their own domestic interests before those of the EU.

The article focuses on French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who received poor ratings in the first round of regional elections during March 2010. The author presents multiple examples of how Sarkozy has failed to deliver on his political promises. Socialist Party leader Martine Aubry and International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn are also discussed.

The article focuses on Albania's foreign policy. The author states that Albania's foreign policy is stable. Political corruption in Albania since 1990 is examined. Also discussed is Albania's desire to use its membership in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as a way to achieve membership into the European Union.

The article discusses changes that are occurring in the social and economic culture in Switzerland. Topics discussed in the article include changes to the country's banking system that is making it less private, a decrease in integration and tolerance of those from different cultures and its conformity with European Union practices.

This article reports that José Manuel Barroso of Portugal is the only candidate for the presidency of the European Commission. Barroso is the current president, but there is no one opposing him. The European Parliament must approve Barroso and that is not a foregone conclusion. If Barroso isn't approved, France's prime minister, François Fillon, will present himself as a candidate. The term of Barroso's predecessor, Jacques Delors, is discussed along with the economic situation.

The author offers opinions on U.S. foreign relations with Europe. President Barack Obama is urged to take a more active approach to relations with Europe, particularly in cultivating a personal relationship with European leaders. Europe is seen as dependent on U.S. leadership in a wide variety of international relations issues.

The author offers opinions on international cooperation in law enforcement and criminal justice administration. An increased level of coordination among countries in crime prevention, investigation, and criminal justice procedure is seen and examples given. Acknowledging the tensions between different systems of constitutional law, the author states that such cooperation will continue to increase as globalization proceeds.

This article discusses the changing position of the Ukraine in world politics. The relationship between internal political problems in the Ukraine and its relations with countries including Russia, Germany, France, and the U.S. are noted. The author believes that the decision of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) governments to strengthen ties with Russia and weaken ties with the Ukraine is a mistake.

The article presents the author's thoughts regarding the state of affairs in Europe prior to U.S. President Barack Obama's planned visit in April 2009. The various problems facing Europe are discussed, including the economic crisis, war in the Middle East, and the potential for nuclear weapons in Iran. Disunity between European Union countries is also discussed.

The article reports on the potential effect of demonstrations against capitalism in Europe and the possibility that they could bring about change in governments. The once popular French President Nicolas Sarkozy finds himself challenged by the protest movement. Leftist groups filled with the unemployed, students, and environmentalists have begun to embrace anti-Western ideology.

The article discusses Europe's political shift to the right and to an old populism that produces an atmosphere of anti-Semitism. The results of a public opinion poll show that in Spain, media members foster anti-Israel language, and in Poland, Communist rule supported anti-Semitism. The author presents Germany's support for the right-wing politician Jörg Haider as an example of Europe's acceptance of populist and anti-Semitic movements.

The author considers the effect on Europe if U.S. presidential candidate John McCain wins the U.S. presidential election. A McCain win might provide security for European leaders concerned about Russian leader Vladimir Putin's power. Despite McCain's promise to provide security and economic balance, European countries such as Germany and Great Britain are anticipating a partnership with the U.S. with Barack Obama as president.

This article reports that the United Nations, the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are not taking an active role to curb the escalating Serbian violence in northern Kosovo. Kosovo's plans to become an independent state have fragmented the EU. In addition, Russia is moving into some Balkan areas by providing them with money and energy contracts.

This article offers the author's description of a world where Europe, the U.S., and other civilized, educated nations work together to keep peace and provide a more equal exchange of power. The author calls this place Natoland and describes how the U.S. would no longer have the responsibility to police the world but other strong nations could aid in this endeavor.

The article reports on the decline of anti-U.S. sentiment in Europe, but the difficulties of improved U.S.-European relations until European Union (EU) leaders agree on multiple issues. Europe has failed to combine into a cohesive socio-economic body with similar attitudes about foreign policy. Until agreements are reached, European nationalism reigns instead of convergence.

In this article the author discusses the state of France and the French economy in advance of the 2007 presidential election. The author compares France's sluggish economic conditions with the more dynamic economies of Great Britain, Spain and Germany. He suggests that the new French leader look to those countries for inspiration and for new economic policies.

This article focuses on support for the European Union (EU) in member countries on the fiftieth anniversary of its founding with the Treaty of Rome. The EU has just 22% support in France, 24% in Britain, and 28% in Germany. The author writes that the downward trend to a large degree reflects on deficient leadership. If either Segolene Royal or Nicolas Sarkozy win the presidency in France, they will join German Chancellor Angela Merkel and presumptive British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the summer of 2007 in what is described as an Euro-skeptical triumvirate.

This article focuses on U.N. ambassador for the U.S. John Bolton and his behavior while serving in the U.N. The author writes that foreign ministries all across Europe celebrated when Bolton resigned from his position. He calls Bolton rude but says the real problem was Bolton's gift for making enemies out of allies.

The article presents the author's views on the influence of the European Union on global politics. It is suggested that the United States is no longer an effective power broker in the Middle East, and that it is time for Europe to arise as a new negotiator. It is the author's view that, given that the reputation of America has been compromised in the region, Europe is the only partner with the power to stand up and play mediator.

This article comments on the value of the Group of 8 (G8) organization of industrialized countries. The author examines what it has achieved; he points out that while it has reduced suspicions among the world's most powerful nations, it has increased the world's suspicions about their leaders, attested by violent demonstrations at former G8 summits in Italy, France, and Switzerland. The G8, according to the author, has become a symbol of how a small group of self-selected leaders cannot adequately answer today's challenges.

The article presents the author's views on recent events involving politics in Europe. According to the author, a number of EU leaders have recently began discussing a possible revival in the European constitution that was rejected by France and the Netherlands in 2005. The author does not believe that the document can be revived. It is suggested that EU countries need to be willing to share sovereignty for the advantages of trade, investment and competition.

This article reflects on the economic development of Spain as it has embraced globalization and outperforms both France and Italy on growth, job creation and confidence and optimism. The country's Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has regularized 700,000 illegal workers and, unlike France and Italy, opened the labor market to workers from Eastern Europe. He has also legalized gay marriage.

This article discusses French President Jacques Chirac's changing political perspectives on state-sponsored terrorism. Chirac's foreign policies have grown increasingly similar to those of U.S. President George W. Bush. Chirac gave a speech warning states tempted to sponsor terrorism on French soil, of France's nuclear weapons capability. Chirac also signed an agreement to support the exchange of nuclear information to India for energy resources, a policy strongly supported by Bush.

Presents the author's view of economic and political achievements in France and the county's reputation in Europe. Suggestion that France remains the weak man of Europe despite doing more than any other country to help define and shape Europe; Author's view that French leaders remain in denial about what economic reforms need to be initiated; Overview of France's economic situation; View that there can be no European recovery or political movement until France accepts new ideas about how a modern society should be run.

Reports on the powers given to French President Jacques Chirac by the country's constitution. History of the constitution; Economic problems and increasing poverty in France; Problems faced by Chirac since he dissolved Parliament in 1997; Discussion of Chirac's refusal to involve the French in the U.S.-led Iraq War of 2003; Support Chirac gives the European Union.

Discusses European cities and there roles in the global economic and intellectual communities. Discussion of the changes cities such as Barcelona, Spain and Liverpool, England have gone through; Discussion of former Soviet cities in eastern Europe and their progress since the fall of the Soviet Union; Mention of the highway on the bank of Seine, France being turned into a beach. Statement that increased links in Europe will dissolve boundaries.

Focuses on politics and government in Europe as of September 2000. Influence that the ideas of United States President Bill Clinton had on politics in Europe; Discussion about who Europeans would like to see replace Clinton, George W. Bush or Al Gore.