Europe
Presidential elections bring Ukraine closer to the West
The success of the presidential elections and the clean victory of the pro-European candidate Petro Poroshenko will bring Ukraine closer to the West, but the conflict with Russia is likely
London housing bubble continues to grow
London, generally viewed as an investment haven, has developed a housing bubble fueled by foreign investors and urban migration. The government’s Lend to Buy program has not helped in the way
Putin wins with Eurasian Economic Union
Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus recently agreed to establish the Eurasian Economic Union. Like the Custom Union before it, Russia looks to benefit the most. On May 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Greek presidency gives window for Albania EU bid
In December 2013, the European Council rejected the Commission’s recommendation to grant Albania candidate country status. But on May 12 this year, the sixth meeting of the Stabilization and Association Council
Austria-Russia gas deal exposes EU disunity over Ukraine
A recent gas deal between Austrian energy company OMV and Russian gas exporter Gazprom exposes fractures within the European Union bloc over responses to the Ukraine crisis and threatens the
Adams arrest shows vulnerability in Northern Ireland’s rebirth
Coming ahead of EU parliamentary elections, Adams’ arrest shows the situation that hampered the Northern Irish economy for decades is still fragile. When Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams was taken into
Crimea annexation comes with host of problems for Russia
Russia will bear the brunt of recently annexed Crimea’s long-term economic, financial and political problems. President Putin made a triumphant visit to Crimea on the 9th May, as the region
Norway woos China by refusing to meet with Dalai Lama
Norwegian-Chinese relations suffered when the Nobel Peace Prize was handed to the Chinese dissident Liu Xiabo. Now the government tries to normalize relations by refusing to meet with the Dalai Lama. As a small
Sanctions hurt Russian credit rating, energy firms
With the situation in Ukraine entering its most difficult pre-election stage, the growing rift between Russia and the West is starting to affect everyday business. Following the ineffective Geneva Agreement
IMF oks Ukraine support plan, but risks could derail it
The $17 billion package will support fiscal adjustment and increased competitiveness. But the threat of losing control of Eastern Ukraine and risks in implementation make stability far from certain. The
