In The News

Study: Borders in Europe Would Cost Up to $3.3 Billion a Year

Valentina Pop October 19, 2016
A study by the RAND Europe think tank shows that to restore borders across Europe would cost the continent more than $3 billion yearly, a number calculated using the cost of restoring physical borders, administrative costs, and losses from trade and travel. As Europe has drawn millions of refugees from Syria and other war-torn areas, some countries in the Schengen zone – the border-free area...

Warming Russia-Turkey Relations Send a Chill Through Ukraine

Fred Weir October 18, 2016
Despite rising tensions among Russia, Turkey and the West over civil war in Syria, agreements are emerging over sending natural gas from Russia to Europe. Proposed development of two new pipelines would allow Russia to pass Ukraine in sending gas to the rest of Europe, reports Fred Weir for the Christian Science Monitor: “With TurkStream, Turkey will stand to become the chief distributor for...

Angela Merkel Tells African Union It Must Do More to Stop Migration to Europe

Adam Withnall October 17, 2016
Germany will be at the helm of the G20 for 2017, and Chancellor Angela Merkel has signaled that Africa will be a primary area of focus: “But in return, she has asked that the African countries do more to stop the growing culture of young people leaving to seek a better life in Europe,” reports Adam Withnall for the Independent. In a tour to Mali, Niger and Ethiopia, Merkel implied that failed...

Tens of Thousands Protest in Europe Against Atlantic Free Trade Deals

Michael Nienaber September 28, 2016
Thousands of people across Europe have marched in protest of free-trade agreements promoted by the European Union with Canada and the United States. Activists caution that the proposed deals – the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the United States and the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement with Canada – could reduce environmental standards and protections for workers. But...

The Growing Gap Between Town and Country

Ronald Brownstein September 26, 2016
The industrialized world is experiencing a growing divide between “diverse global cities” and the rural “places that feel left behind,” according to Ronald Brownstein of the Atlantic. Sadiq Khan, mayor of London and the first Muslim mayor of a major Western city, pointed this out during a visit to Chicago. Alongside Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Khan celebrated immigrants and increased opportunity...

Britain Approves Controversial Chinese-Financed Nuclear-Reactor, With a Catch

Griff Witte September 22, 2016
British Prime Minister Theresa May hesitantly agreed to a nuclear power plant, Britain’s first in decades, financed in part by China with a controlling stake by EDF, a French firm. May, who came to power after the Brexit referendum in June, and others in her staff have expressed concern that a large Chinese investment in British energy could leave Britain vulnerable should geostrategic interests...

Brexit Vote Revives Dream of EU Army

Jonathan Marcus September 9, 2016
The United Kingdom spends more on defense than any other country in Europe, including Russia, reports Global Firepower. As the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union, the regional bloc considers defense development. “The UK – by far the most capable European military player, along with France – has always been a brake on such an idea, fearing unnecessary duplication with Nato,”...