2024 European Elections

EU parliament election sees shaken centre hold – but far-right now has chances to show its strength

— The European parliamentary election highlighted a fragile centre amid a rightward shift, with significant far-right gains in France, Germany, and Italy. The EPP retained centre-ground dominance, but far-right successes may influence future EU policies.

Slovakia

Who is Robert Fico? Slovakia’s controversial prime minister in stable but serious condition after assassination attempt

— Slovakian PM Robert Fico is in serious condition after a May 15 assassination attempt. His divisive policies, political history, and controversial stances have created significant tensions, prompting widespread protests.

2024 US Presidential Election

What a second Trump presidency might mean for the rest of the world

— Six months before the US election, global attention focuses on Trump’s potential return, especially his foreign policies towards China, NATO, Ukraine, and Gaza. A second term might increase US isolationism and weaken international alliances.

European Union

Trump-proofing NATO: Why Europe’s current nuclear deterrents may not be enough to face biggest threats since WWII

— NATO members are urgently rethinking their nuclear strategy as Donald Trump’s potential presidency might weaken U.S. commitments, prompting Europe to consider independent defence capabilities amid rising Russian threats.

Climate Change

‘Hard-right’ NatCon event was organised by oil-funded group

— A controversial right-wing conference in Brussels, sponsored by a Hungarian think tank funded by fossil fuels, faced shutdown by police due to safety concerns. The event included prominent climate change sceptics and right-wing politicians, including Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.

Long-Read

Britain’s Brexit drift

— The UK government’s new ‘common user charge’ on EU imports adds significant costs, affecting particularly small firms and highlighting the ongoing economic and political instability post-Brexit, with broader impacts on sectors like agriculture and financial services.

European Union

Mounting tension and instability in the Western Balkans is playing into Russia’s hands

— Tension in the Western Balkans, which has been troubled by ethnic tensions since the wars of the 1990s, is becoming an increasing concern for the EU and NATO.

War in Ukraine

Ukraine war: Why many NATO countries are thinking of introducing conscription and the issues that involves

— Amid global conflicts and political debates, several European nations, including new NATO members, are reconsidering or reintroducing conscription to enhance military and civic preparedness.

European Union

What are the EU’s new migration rules, and why did they take so long to pass?

— The European Parliament has passed the Pact on Migration and Asylum after almost ten years of impasse since the 2015 crisis. It aims to distribute responsibilities across EU states, offering nations options to host migrants or pay, amidst ongoing debates about refugees’ rights.

Foreign Policy

Waiting for Trump to be re-elected is wrong – Nato leaders need to Trump-proof their policies now

— The potential re-election of Trump could disrupt global stability. Leaders must not wait but proactively fortify foreign policies and alliances like NATO to mitigate unpredictable actions.

War in Ukraine

Ukraine war: Ten years after Putin annexed Crimea, Russia’s grip on the peninsula looks shaky

— Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 hasn’t secured the region as Vladimir Putin hoped. Recent Ukrainian attacks expose vulnerability, leading to losses like the Black Sea fleet. Ukrainian successes challenge Russia’s grip.

War in Ukraine

Macron won’t rule out using Western ground troops in Ukraine – but is NATO prepared for war with Russia?

— French President Macron doesn’t exclude the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine following a meeting with European leaders. However, the question remains: could the deployment of ground troops to Ukraine provoke a broader and more dangerous conflict with Russia?

Populism

The maths of rightwing populism: Easy answers + confidence = reassuring certainty

— Right-wing populists thrive by simplifying messages in a noisy information landscape. Communication theory elucidates how misinformation polarises society, favouring certainty over complexity, especially on the political right.

Long-Read

Brexit, Brexitism, and the Trump and Russian threats

— Brexit fractures the UK’s geopolitical strategy, hindering cooperation with the EU on security. Amidst the Russian threat and potential European conflict, deeper UK-EU security ties are crucial for stability.

UK Politics

The UK’s culture war is dying – But the next prime minister will have to stand up to plenty of populists overseas

— Keir Starmer, if he becomes prime minister, faces global populism amid elections favouring anti-establishment figures around the world. Navigating instability, he must defend NATO and counter divisive forces in a changing political climate.

Climate Change

Oil and gas lobbyists have deep pockets and access to politicians, but an EU ban could be in the pipeline

— Tobacco lobbyists are strongly regulated – could a ‘tobacco-style’ ban work in the EU for fossil fuel interests?