Tag "Europe"
Post-election: an energized Europe faces a polarized era
While the European Elections did not result in the much-predicted right-wing populist surge, the continued erosion of establishment parties and the upswing in participation suggests a new political era for the bloc.
Impact of ‘GreenLib’ Wave on European business interests
The May elections saw a significant change to the make-up of the European Parliament & reflect a fundamental shift in power politics throughout the EU.
China’s new Silk Road or debt-trap diplomacy?
Italy’s decision to join China’s new Silk Road project last month has heightened Western nations’ concerns over Chinese expansionism.
Italy: Likelihood of general elections
The recent regional elections in Abruzzo and Sardinia have highlighted the contrasting political fortunes of the two populist parties that make up Italy’s coalition government.
Irish backstop: PM risks future of the Union
New assurances regarding the backstop will likely secure Brexit, but it would also inflame nationalist passions in Ireland which would threaten the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom
International agreements: a sprinkle of optimism
Global headlines tend to focus on an increasingly hostile trade environment and withdrawals from trade agreements. However, this article examines the lesser known progress being made across the globe, which can foster a positive tone for international cooperation.
Predicting the next global pandemic
The nature and likelihood of the next pandemic presents many challenges to governments and health organisations, as it could be an unknown pathogen that the world is ill-equipped to contain. The risks associated with such a pandemic has secondary effects as it not only affects human health, but also causes severe disruptions in economic, political, and social areas.
Serbian visas as diplomacy
Serbia has ensured that its passport holders have visa-free access to a wide range of countries, from Belarus to Indonesia. Many new visa waiver agreements have been signed in the past 5 years, but the most recent agreement, with Iran, was cancelled after one year alone. The failure of the Iran agreement highlights the unique role that visas play in Serbian diplomacy.
The Orthodox schism: religion as a political instrument
On 15th October, the Russian Orthodox Church announced that it had severed ties to the Patriarchate of Constantinople after the Patriarch declared that he would grant the Ukrainian Orthodox Church autocephaly, meaning independence from the Russian Church. Until this declaration, the only Orthodox Church in Ukraine that was officially recognized by other Patriarchates was administered from Moscow. While this may seem at first glance to be primarily a religious matter, it is in fact deeply political in nature.
The dragon over Visegrad: China in central Europe
China’s modern successor to the Silk Road – the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – has received heavy criticism from the West as a tool that could be used to divide Europe through economic influence. Just how well-established is China’s influence in Central Europe – and does Chinese investment represent a threat?
