Blogs

In the past few days, we’ve observed Gaza and hoped for an ending of the current conflict. I was writing last week that it is regional powers that will be the main drivers of a potential cease-fire, considering that the current foreign policy focus of the EU members and the U.S. is elsewhere. Cairo is indeed mediating the cease-fire talks. However, recent interesting moves from Washington and Paris allow us to better understand the challenges of the current situation. U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, en route to Cambodia, made a stop in the region, but this does not necessarily mean the United States will get involved in the conflict. [...]

The last weeks have been all about Gaza and the Middle East. While that region remains key in international affairs, the old Europe proved to have interesting news as well recently. The European Commission said that Scotland would have to apply for membership, according to a report in The Scotsman newspaper. This statement came as the Scottish government said that independent Scotland will remain in the EU. The Commission move is a clear message from the EU, indicating that it has taken sides with the central governments of European countries in making it clear again that any secessionist country would have to apply for EU membership. This is a message [...]

During the last few weeks I struggled to find out ‘the important’ in the world news. As always, travels are making it even harder – but at the same time, the details of life perceived while traveling are making all the difference. Away from the media noise about the troubles of the eurozone, I had the opportunity to travel in Germany, Austria and Greece recently. Starting my trip in southwestern Germany, at the very heart of the eurozone, I had the chance to meet with businesspeople saying that the “EU must be organized in order to work efficiently” and listen to students talking about the great chances that the European [...]