Western Europe
German Ruling Coalition Falls Apart
The German ruling coalition, led by Olaf Scholz, has collapsed following the firing of the finance minister, Christian Lindler, last week.
UK Defense Spending and Strategic Shifts in the Face of Rising Global Threats and a New Trump Administration
The United Kingdom’s (UK) defense spending and international security commitments are attracting much attention as the government balances global threats and budget conflicts.
BRICS Summit Implications for the European Union
As BRICS continues to assert its influence, the European Union (EU) must carefully evaluate the implications of its growth. The summit's outcomes hold particular relevance for the EU, given the bloc's strategic interests and increasing involvement in global affairs, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. How is BRICS going to impact the EU's strategic interests?
UK and Germany Strengthen Defense in Response to Russia's Growing Threat
As of Oct. 22, 2024, the United Kingdom and Germany have signed a significant defense pact to reinforce military collaboration in response to the growing threat posed by Russia. Such an agreement highlights the strategic importance of their alliance as both powers seek to confront escalating security challenges in Europe.
France Charges Seven Over Cyber Harassment Linked to Paris Olympic Ceremony Controversy
On Friday 25 Oct French authorities revealed they’d charged seven individuals in connection with the cyberbullying of Thomas Jolly, the creative director for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Race to Join the EU: What Comes Next After Referendum Vote in Moldova
On Sunday, October 20th, Moldova held a referendum vote on joining the European Union (EU), alongside its planned presidential elections.
Court Ruling Challenges Italy's Albanian Migration Plan Amid Growing Debate
Italy's plan to process migrants in Albania faces legal challenges after a Rome court ruled the return of migrants to their countries unsafe and unlawful. While Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defends the deal as a European model, critics raise concerns about human rights violations and tensions between national policies and European law.
Starmer's Leadership Tested as Britons Scramble to Escape Escalating Lebanese Conflict
After the deadliest Israeli attack on Hezbollah since 2006, UK ministers, headed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urge British nationals to “leave Lebanon immediately”.
New European Union Ruling Promotes Asylum Accessibility for Afghani Women
Three years following the Taliban’s siege of Kabul, a new European Union ruling passed on October 4th, 2024 states that countries only require the gender and nationality of female Afghan refugees to grant asylum.
Austria's Far-Right Victory: Potential challenges Ahead for the European Union
On Sept. 29, Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) achieved an unprecedented victory by winning the national parliamentary election — its first major success since World War II.
Potential Global Health Crisis After India Reports a New Monkeypox Case
India has reported a new case of Monkeypox (Mpox) in Kerala's Malappuram district. According to CNN, this case is among the new variants of Monkeypox, called clade 1b, which causes more severe disease than the original clade 2b variant that was present in 2022.
United Kingdom Foreign Minister Echoes the Need for a Ceasefire in Lebanon
In a joint statement on Sept. 29, 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy reaffirmed their countries commitment to Israel’s security while simultaneously calling for the promotion of peace and security in the Middle East.
Mark Rutte's First Week as Secretary General of NATO
Mark Rutte officially took office as Secretary General of NATO on Oct. 1, 2024, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels.
Hungary Fined for Breaking Migrant Laws: The Implications for Isolationism and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Europe
The ongoing tension between Hungary and the European Union (EU) regarding immigration laws has reached a critical juncture. Hungary has faced increasing scrutiny for its inhumane treatment of migrants and the unlawful detention of asylum seekers.
The New French Interior Minister’s Conservative Ideologies Sparks Concern for the Country’s Future
Bruno Retailleau, a prominent figure in French politics and longstanding member of The Republicans party, was recently appointed as France’s newest Interior Minister on Sept. 21, 2024.
Sanctions or Suffering: Europe's Syrian Dilemma at the UN Security Council
On Sept. 20, the UN Security Council convened during the kick-off of the United Nations’ high-level Week. Political representatives discussed the political future of Syria, drawing the world’s eyes once again to this persistent crisis. Yet, the meeting underscored more than just concern for Syria’s wellbeing.
ASML Sales Display State of Global Microchip Race
On Nov. 8, Dutch Company ASML reported a shipment increase of 29.5 percent in October year on year to PRC-based companies and the PRC itself. ASML is responsible for creating the machinery required to create the world's most advanced microchips.
Europe’s New Threat Within its Most Beneficiary Policies
On Sept. 6th 2023, Spain, which will hold the European Union’s presidency until this December, took a major step in restructuring the bloc’s electricity market.
West Europe & Israel: Patterns in Individualism
The conflict between Hamas and Israel has captured the attention of the world, from Copenhagen to Cartajena protests of support or condemnation for one side or another are continuously thrown. From the IR perspective, though, it is certainly well to step back to see the wider picture of how the individual reactions of individual nations lend to a picture of the wider whole.
The "New German Speed"
As the war in Ukraine progresses and an economic recession looms, EU nations have been forced to reinvent their economic models in order to cut their dependence on authoritarian regimes and dim the effects of the climate crisis.