Western Europe
The Race to Join the EU: What Comes Next After Referendum Vote in Moldova
On Sunday, October 20th, Moldova held a referendum vote on joining the European Union (EU), alongside its planned presidential elections.
Court Ruling Challenges Italy's Albanian Migration Plan Amid Growing Debate
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.
Starmer's Leadership Tested as Britons Scramble to Escape Escalating Lebanese Conflict
After the deadliest Israeli attack on Hezbollah since 2006, UK ministers, headed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urge British nationals to “leave Lebanon immediately”.
French Researcher’s Detention in Russia Deepens Diplomatic Rift with France
The trial of French researcher Laurent Vinatier has emerged as a significant point of contention in the decaying relationship between France and Russia. Vinatier, who specializes in post-Soviet studies, was arrested in March 2024 on espionage charges.
New European Union Ruling Promotes Asylum Accessibility for Afghani Women
Three years following the Taliban’s siege of Kabul, a new European Union ruling passed on October 4th, 2024 states that countries only require the gender and nationality of female Afghan refugees to grant asylum.
Austria's Far-Right Victory: Potential challenges Ahead for the European Union
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.
Potential Global Health Crisis After India Reports a New Monkeypox Case
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.
United Kingdom Foreign Minister Echoes the Need for a Ceasefire in Lebanon
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's First Week as Secretary General of NATO
Mark Rutte officially took office as Secretary General of NATO on Oct. 1, 2024, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels.
Hungary Fined for Breaking Migrant Laws: The Implications for Isolationism and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Europe
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.
The New French Interior Minister’s Conservative Ideologies Sparks Concern for the Country’s Future
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.
Sanctions or Suffering: Europe's Syrian Dilemma at the UN Security Council
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.
ASML Sales Display State of Global Microchip Race
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.
Europe’s New Threat Within its Most Beneficiary Policies
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.
West Europe & Israel: Patterns in Individualism
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.
The "New German Speed"
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 EU's New Migrant Crisis
The international community has been aware of the migrant crisis in Europe for a decade.
Finland First: Sweden still seeks a path to NATO Membership
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.
Italy’s Fight Against Russian Aggression, on Two Fronts
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Two Women Are Now Italy’s Most Powerful Politicians
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.