End of Obamamania? Europe’s Tepid Reaction to Obama’s Nobel
By October 11, 2009 Read More →

End of Obamamania? Europe’s Tepid Reaction to Obama’s Nobel

European newspapers have reacted to Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize with a mixture of incredulity and scepticism. Almost without exception, newspapers across the continent (and political spectrum) are saying the award to Obama is premature and undeserved.

Lisbon Treaty: Europe’s Slow-Moving Coup d’État
By October 10, 2009 Read More →

Lisbon Treaty: Europe’s Slow-Moving Coup d’État

Irish voters have overwhelmingly approved the European Union’s controversial Lisbon Treaty, a document that will forever change the dynamics of European (and potentially global) politics. The “yes” vote comes less than 18 months after Irish voters gave the “wrong” answer by rejecting the treaty in a first referendum.

Germany Swings to the Center-Right
By September 27, 2009 Read More →

Germany Swings to the Center-Right

German Chancellor Angela Merkel cruised to victory in federal elections on Sunday with enough votes to form a new center-right government with her preferred partner, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). The results follow a trend in which Socialist parties across Europe have seen sharp declines in their popularity.

Posted in: Europe
Eurofighter Program Saved by Compromise Deal
By September 8, 2009 Read More →

Eurofighter Program Saved by Compromise Deal

The four nations involved in the Eurofighter Typhoon military aircraft consortium signed a long-awaited contract to buy more of the controversial fighter jets. The breakthrough represents a much-needed financial boost for a program central to European defense cooperation.

Fifty Years of Basque Terrorism
By August 1, 2009 Read More →

Fifty Years of Basque Terrorism

The Spanish government has accused the Basque terrorist group ETA of responsibility for back-to-back bombings last week that killed two people and injured more than 50 others. The bloody attacks came as ETA — short for Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, or Basque Fatherland and Freedom — marked the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Is ‘Obamamania’ Waning in Europe?
By July 7, 2009 Read More →

Is ‘Obamamania’ Waning in Europe?

A brief selection of European news stories that typify what seems to be a general trend toward a return to more negative reporting about America, its people and its president.

Spain Steps Back from Universal Jurisdiction
By July 3, 2009 Read More →

Spain Steps Back from Universal Jurisdiction

The Spanish National Criminal Court (Audiencia Nacional) said on June 30  it was scrapping an investigation into a 2002 Israeli Air Force bombing in Gaza that killed a suspected Hamas militant and 14 civilians. The move comes just days after the lower house of the Spanish Parliament voted to limit the scope of a 1985 […]

As Goes the West, So Goes NATO
By July 1, 2009 Read More →

As Goes the West, So Goes NATO

NATO has always been more than just a traditional military alliance because it has always been about more than just traditional military security.

A400M Project Highlights European Defense Paradox
By June 19, 2009 Read More →

A400M Project Highlights European Defense Paradox

  France and Germany have decided to wait another six months before determining the fate of the troubled A400M military transport plane.

Franco-Spanish Sub Dispute Shows Challenges Facing EU Defense Market
By May 28, 2009 Read More →

Franco-Spanish Sub Dispute Shows Challenges Facing EU Defense Market

  As if to illustrate the challenges facing an integrated European defense market, the French naval shipyard DCNS is suing Spain’s leading state-owned shipbuilding firm, Navantia, for allegedly stealing trade secrets relating to the Scorpène submarine project.

Immigration Policy a Casualty of Unemployment in Spain
By May 14, 2009 Read More →

Immigration Policy a Casualty of Unemployment in Spain

As the once-vibrant Spanish economy plunges deeper into recession, the government of Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is struggling to staunch the country’s skyrocketing jobless rate. And among the first casualties is Spain’s famously lenient immigration policy.

Posted in: Spain
NATO Struggles to find Unity of Purpose
By April 4, 2009 Read More →

NATO Struggles to find Unity of Purpose

US President Barack Obama’s debut NATO summit at the Franco-German border on April 3-4 was a triumph of style over substance. Although allies put on a public face of unity, they were unable to agree on any of the major problems facing transatlantic security. As NATO marks its 60th birthday, the Alliance is mired in […]