In The News

The Guardian: UK General Election Result to Impact Brexit Talks

Jon Henley June 9, 2017
Political leaders in democracies need solid support before embarking on sweeping policy changes. In Britain, Theresa May miscalculated in calling for a general election to strengthen her hand before Brexit negotiations. Instead, the snap election, with a greater turnout by young voters, resulted in a hung parliament. The country remains divided over how to proceed on Brexit - in the 2016...

The Guardian: Merkel Says EU Cannot Completely Rely on US and Britain Anymore

Jon Henley May 30, 2017
The United States as reliable partner is a campaign issue for other countries. “We Europeans truly have to take its fate into its own hands,” said Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel at campaign rally. The Guardian reported on Merkel’s comments: “Speaking after bruising meetings of Nato and the G7 group of wealthy nations last week, the German chancellor suggested the postwar western alliance had...

The Washington Post: Trump Chastises Fellow NATO Members

Philip Rucker, Karen DeYoung and Michael Birnbaum May 26, 2017
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization formed in 1949 as collective defense against potential aggression by the Soviet Union. NATO now has 28 members. US President Donald Trump, attending meetings and ceremonies in Brussels, urged fellow members to pay a fair share of NATO expenses, at least 2 percent of GDP by 2024. Other NATO members may be wary of Trump, whose presidential campaign is under...

BBC: Chancellor Merkel Warns UK on Scope of Brexit Talks With EU

April 27, 2017
The European Union is setting priorities and preparing for an orderly Brexit with the expectation of settling exit terms before planning on future ties. Terms for settlement include British payments due for the EU budget and rights of EU citizens in the UK and British citizens in the EU. The British dispute an estimate from EU officials that the United Kingdom owes €60 billion. EU leaders will...

Spiegel Online: Time to Break Off EU Membership Talks With Turkey

Markus Becker April 20, 2017
A narrow majority of Turkish voters have approved constitutional reforms that consolidate their president’s power. The European Union could continue to pursue economic ties, but end negotiations on Turkey’s membership. “The Turks have voted for autocracy, for the repression of political opponents and likely also for the introduction of the death penalty,” urges Markus Becker for Spiegel Online. “...

Market Pulse: Theresa May Seeks Snap UK Election To Get Brexit Backing

Dean Popplewell April 19, 2017
British voters narrowly approved leaving the European Union a year ago, but political leaders are divided over how to proceed. So Prime Minister Theresa May is taking a gamble by calling for a snap election on June 8 in hopes of consolidating power behind a conservative approach and slowing opposition to details as she prepares to negotiate with the EU. The early election requires approval from...

Prospect Magazine: Gibraltar Dispute Is a Sign of Things to Come

James Black April 17, 2017
As Britain prepares to formally leave the European Union, it is facing a dilemma over Gibraltar’s sovereignty. Although “EU negotiating guidelines make clear that Madrid should have a say on any agreement affecting the territory,” writes James Black for Prospect Magazine, the UK is unwilling to let go of the territory that it has held since 1713. Due to its southern location, the tiny peninsula “...