read full article here China’s impact on southern and eastern European markets Introduction In 2012 China initiated the 16+1 format , a cooperation framework that includes 16 central and eastern European countries, 11 of them members of the European Union. The initiative caused alarm among many European leaders, who feared that China would use it […]
Europe
The makings of a “geopolitical” European Commission
read full article here The makings of a “geopolitical” European Commission As if incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was not already inheriting a full plate of major challenges, she has also promised to reshape the EU into a “geopolitical” force to be reckoned with. To succeed, she will need to pass seven […]
Czech Intelligence Report Exposes Russian, Chinese Spying
read full article here Czech Intelligence Report Exposes Russian, Chinese Spying Pro-communist supporters hold flags and a portrait of Vladimir Lenin as they protest against the government in central Prague, Czech, in this file photo. (MichalI Cizek/AFP/Getty Images) The Czech intelligence service (BIS) in its annual report for 2018 published on Nov. 26, warned against […]
Germany’s difficult choice could be whether to alienate the US or China
read full article here Germany’s difficult choice could be whether to alienate the US or China BIARRITZ, FRANCE – AUGUST 25: US President Donald Trump kisses Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel as G7 leaders and guests gather for a family picture in front of the Biarritz lighthouse on the second day of the annual G7 summit […]
The benefits of political fragmentation
read full article here The benefits of political fragmentation The EU’s new pluralism has made public debate more political, as parties and groups have become careful to protect their distinct identities. With the launch of Ursula von der Leyen’s new European Commission six months after the European Parliament election, one thing is certain: Europe’s politics […]
French government reverses decision to close Moncton consulate
read full article here French government reverses decision to close Moncton consulate Tourism Minister Robert Gauvin, MLA for Shippagan-Lamèque-Miscou, calls the decision to keep the consulate doors open ‘extraordinary.’ (Ed Hunter/CBC) The French government has decided to keep Moncton’s French Consulate open, reversing a decision made earlier this year to close the office in 2020 […]
Rudy Giuliani’s foreign adventures
OF ALL THE meetings that will take place between heads of state at the United Nations in New York next week, the one between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured), a comedian turned president of Ukraine, may be the strangest. Last month, as Ukraine’s government was trying to negotiate the release of its prisoners […]
5 reasons Macron got it wrong on Germany
The French president still wants to relaunch Europe. But after two years of courting Berlin, he is now searching for new ways to strengthen Europe’s sovereignty Emmanuel Macron appears to have given up on Germany. Earlier this year, the French president admitted to being “not exactly on the same line” with Berlin on major issues […]
How Brussels-born doctor could prove a lifeline amid Brexit crisis as the EC’s likely next president
Ursula von der Leyen, the nominee to be the European Commission’s next president, is not your typical Brussels technocrat (Photo: Michael Kappeler/Pool via Reuters) Ursula von der Leyen, the nominee to be the European Commission’s next president , is not your typical Brussels technocrat – and that may be the reason why EU leaders want […]
EU gives Nigel Farage 24 hours to explain Arron Banks funds
Editor’s Note – Nigel Farage has responded by rejecting the call for him to appear. He said he is not going to Brussels to appear before the committee and that they should be focused on other MEP’s use of expenses not his. European parliament summons Brexit party leader over failure to declare expenses Nigel Farage […]