All Europe
The ExplainerGreece and Turkey's tense rivalry swells over land and seaFrom the death of a fighter pilot to a flag planted on an lonely islet, the relationship between Greece and Turkey is deteriorating over both symbols and substance. Watchers warn that a miscalculation could lead to serious conflict.
Europe's top song contest gets a little more European-soundingAfter years of domination by English-language entries, this year’s Eurovision competition will feature a marked increase in the number of songs with non-English lyrics. And it sets a stage for a larger debate in the European Union about English as the bloc’s lingua franca.
As strikes rage in France today, the legacy of May '68 looms largeFifty years ago this month, France nearly succumbed to revolution amid debilitating nationwide labor and student strikes. Though the mood eventually passed, the effects were lasting and can still be seen amid today's strikes.
FocusKosovo's attempt to help wartime rape survivors reopens old woundsKosovo has done little to help the victims of sexual violence during its 1998-99 conflict, but with new legislation that is changing. However, the effort to provide recognition and restitution to survivors is marred by deep problems.
To pay for a 'Russia first' agenda, Putin takes ax to military spendingAs Putin begins his newest term, he is introducing a radically different budget for his country, with plans for a major infrastructure boost coming at the expense of some of the Kremlin's more ambitious defense projects.
First LookBlack Britons find meaningful symbolism in Meghan Markle's royal marriageThe upcoming marriage of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, who is a divorced, biracial American actress, has been heralded as proof that Britain has become more egalitarian, inclusive, and diverse. But others say one pretty face won't change entrenched racism in British society.
After Nobel prize falls to #MeToo, what's next for literature's highest honor?It started in Hollywood in the temples of mass entertainment. Now #MeToo has reached Parnassus, as a sexual harassment scandal taints the world's most prestigious literary prize and forces the international cultural establishment to rethink its values.
For 'accidental Americans,' the hidden costs prove taxingFor many who discover that they are American citizens, the revelation is not good news. Instead, it means discovering that they're on the hook for thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes. And the alternatives are just as expensive.
As Israel-Iran rivalry burns, Russia’s Tehran ties may get singedRussia has been serving as a buffer between Israel and Iran amid the fighting in Syria. But Israel's restraint appears to be fraying – making the state of relations between Iran and Russia critical to managing any outbreak of fighting.
Disclosure in the Caymans: Global walls of financial secrecy are fallingA new British law could have big ripple effects as part of a global trend toward financial transparency. Disclosure of who really owns offshore companies can counter crime and reduce the inequality that arises from corruption or tax evasion.
As Trump mulls withdrawal from Iran deal, Europe braces for falloutThe deal to crimp Iran’s nuclear program, one of President Trump’s top bugbears, came under attack this week from another direction – Israel. What can the agreement’s strongest defenders, European nations, do about it?
First LookIn marches against Macron, French protesters recall movements of 1968The artists, students, and laborers who brought mass protests to France in 1968 have had a profound effect on the social and economic composition of the country. Today demonstrators evoke the past in protests against the president's policies.
Britain taps the son of a Pakistani bus driver to shape immigration policyNew British Home Secretary Sajid Javid's appointment doesn't just mark a break from his predecessor Amber Rudd's hard-line policies. Mr. Javid, who was born to immigrant parents and went on to become an elite banker, could turn the government away from closed-border sentiments.
Macron emerges as champion of the liberal world orderThe French president has given his country its most powerful voice in decades. He is using it to warn both the US and Europe against turning sharply inward. A biweekly column on patterns in diplomacy.
In back-to-back visits, Macron and Merkel look for manageable middle with TrumpThe French president and German chancellor each made visits to the White House this week to meet with President Trump, despite significant disagreements over transatlantic relations. But Macron and Merkel may be finding a way to coexist with Trumpism.
First LookEuropean leaders work to keep conservative East in EUWith Britain's exit from the European Union approaching next year, the international network is now turning its attention to countries in Eastern Europe, including Poland and Hungary, whose powerful leaders have spoken out against it.
Armenia is having a 'color revolution.' So why is Russia so calm?Unlike post-Soviet revolutions in Ukraine, Georgia, and elsewhere, the current protests in Armenia have not alarmed the Kremlin, even though they look set to bring greater democracy. That is likely due to the lack of geopolitical stakes involved.
First LookThousands of Germans join 'kippa marches' in support of the Jewish communityAn Israeli Arab, who wore a kippa in Berlin as an experiment, was attacked and harassed last week. The incident came after reports of Jewish children being bullied in schools led the head of the Central Council of Jews to advise people not wear kippas in big cities.
Will Russia's involvement in Syria end up burning its ties with Israel?Israel has maintained a good relationship with the Kremlin amid Russia's tensions with the West. But as the Assad regime's victories bring Iran closer to the Israeli border, Russia is finding it harder to balance its needs in Syria with its Israeli ties.
First LookSyrian refugees share traditional Arab dance with BerlinersIn addition to formal integration efforts, dozens of informal cultural projects, run by migrants wanting to share their culture and Germans attempting to break down barriers, have sprouted up around Germany.
