In The News

The Telegraph: Victory for Eurosceptic, Populist Parties in Italy Election

Nick Squires and Peter Foster March 5, 2018
Italian voters supported anti-establishment, populist and Euroskeptic parties in Sunday’s election, but no party received the required 40 percent for running the government and a coalition will be necessary. Europe’s fourth largest economy is flailing and concern runs high about unrestrained migration. Unofficial results suggest that Five Star Movement lead by capturing about one-third of all...

Newsweek: NY Bank Regulator Scrutinizes Kushner

Jessica Kwong March 2, 2018
Jared Kushner, senior adviser and son-in-law to the US president, confronts charges of conflict of interest on numerous fronts. New York’s banking regulator is requesting details on loans to Kushner, his real estate company and family members from three banker including Deutsche Bank, reports Newsweek. This follows a New York Times report that Kushner received loans after meeting with top...

Reuters: China’s Xi and the World

Peter Marino February 28, 2018
China plans to scrap term limits for its president, consolidating Xi Jinping’s power and reducing power for others in the Communist Party. Some in China contend the move promotes stability, but Peter Marino, writing for Reuters, suggests that assessing political events could become more challenging for insiders or outsiders assessing the country: “Xi has fractured what remains of global models...

Financial Times: Pro-EU Tory Faction to Join Labour on Brexit

Jim Pickard, George Parker and Laura Hughes February 28, 2018
Britain remains divided about whether the nation should part ways with the European Union, and some members of parliament mull crossing party lines to salvage a trade relationship. Voters in June 2016 narrowly approved exiting the EU, but concerns emerged since about misinformation and foreign interference during the campaign. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour party, shifted his party’s positon...

The Economist: Netanyahu Fights for Political Survival

February 27, 2018
Police officers informed Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu in February that impending charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust would come his way. Netanyahu addressed the nation the same day, recounting his 50 years of service, including experience with the Special Forces and as ambassador to the United Nations. Israel’s police chief, Robi Alsheikh had been selected by Netanyahu out...

EUROPP: The Italian Election

Andrea Lorenzo Capussela February 27, 2018
Italians head to the polls on Sunday March 4 and polls suggest that a center-right coalition led by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi may win the most seats in parliament. Economic growth has lagged in Italy, at 1.3 percent, and the country’s unemployment rate stands at 11.4 percent. Immigration and European integration are also concerns for Italy’s voters. Andrea Capussela summarizes Italy...

The Guardian: Gazans Rush as Egypt Opens Crossing

Hazem Balousha and Oliver Holmes February 26, 2018
Egypt opened its Rafah border, a rare occurrence since 2013. Gazans in need of medical treatment or refuge from Israeli military incursions hope to leave. Hazem Balousha and Oliver Holmes report for the Guardian: “Some 30,000 Gazans including medical patients, students and businesspeople are on a waiting list to travel through Rafah. But not all are guaranteed.” Under the joint control of the...