The Western Europe Section of IR Insider publishes breaking news reports and analysis from the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and other Western European nations. Topics covered by the Western Europe Section may range from Brexit to negotiations within the European Union and beyond. Our section editor is Chris Bond.
The German ruling coalition, led by Olaf Scholz, has collapsed following the firing of the finance minister, Christian Lindler, last week.
The United Kingdom’s (UK) defense spending and international security commitments are attracting much attention as the government balances global threats and budget conflicts.
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?
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.
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.
On Sunday, October 20th, Moldova held a referendum vote on joining the European Union (EU), alongside its planned presidential elections.
Ursula von der Leyen's commissioner designations for her second term as President of the European Commission have drawn attention to the future direction of the European Union (EU). As she transitions from her first term (2019-2024) to her second term (2024-2029), how will she aim to steer European politics?
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.
After the deadliest Israeli attack on Hezbollah since 2006, UK ministers, headed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urge British nationals to “leave Lebanon immediately”.
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.
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.
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 officially took office as Secretary General of NATO on Oct. 1, 2024, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The international community has been aware of the migrant crisis in Europe for a decade.
On March 17th, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave Finnish President Sauli Niinisto the green light to apply for NATO membership, signaling a shift in Erdogan's policy.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
After winning a primary vote on Feb. 27, Elena Ethel "Elly" Schlein was elected the leader of Partito Democratico (the Democratic Party of Italy), or PD.
The European Union and United Kingdom reached a historic deal on Monday regarding post-Brexit legal issues.
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, the German Parliament announced its intent to vote on the proposed plan to set aside €10 billion (or $10.5 billion) to purchase the F-35 stealth fighter jets from American company Lockheed Martin.
Nov. 27, 2022, BBC journalist Edward Lawrence was arrested whilst covering protests against coronavirus lockdowns in Shanghai, China.
Global climate talks at the COP27 conference in Egypt have dragged on as countries continue to debate the best way to help nations most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
On Nov. 17, 2022, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt will announce the government’s new spending plan.
On Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 climate protesters organized in the streets of Lisbon, Portugal and stormed the building where Antonio Costa Silva, Portugal’s Economy Minister, was speaking.
