Europe & Eurasia

Romanian Offer Causes Moldovan Visa Frenzy

By Valerie Nichols

Last month’s political unrest and violent protests in Moldova have led to an interesting, and controversial, proposition from Romania: the EU nation is offering passports to up to one million Moldovans to prevent the implementation of “a new Iron Curtain” on the border of their historically close neighbor.

Dr. Josef Ackermann Event Transcript

FRED KEMPE:  I am just going to briefly welcome you to this event, part of a new speakers series that we have launched.  But I am going to do the moderating here, and I want to turn over the podium to our new chairman, Senator Chuck Hagel. CHUCK HAGEL:  Fred, thank you.  Good morning.  Thank […]

May Day Riots in Germany, Turkey, and Greece

By James Joyner

David Smith recently argued that the peaceful demonstrations we’re seeing in Georgia and the United States are a healthy part of democracy. Today’s May Day violence in Turkey, Germany, and Greece show the flip side of the coin.

NATO Expels Russian Diplomats on Espionage Charges

By Valerie Nichols

 The expulsion of two Russian diplomats from the nation’s mission to NATO will surely put a damper in recent attempts to thaw relations.  Yesterday’s confirmation of the action comes only one day after the first resumption of formal talks between NATO and Russian representatives since last summer’s war with Georgia.  The talks were meant to […]

NATO and Russia Resume Formal Relations

By James Joyner

NATO and Russia today resumed formal relations, which were broken off in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Georgia.

British Artist Tax Revolt

By James Joyner

There’s a nascent revolt of Britain’s millionaire artists protesting the UK’s high taxes.  Over the weekend, Andrew Lloyd Webber spoke out and now he’s been joined by Michael Caine. 

Swine Flu Outbreaks Prompt EU Travel Warnings

By Valerie Nichols

The European Union’s top health official today urged Europeans to postpone any nonessential travel to the U.S. and Mexico.   With more than 1,600 cases and 103 deaths in Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak, and with confirmed cases in the U.S. doubling to 40, the World Health Organization worries of pandemic potential while economists […]

Mixed Signals in New Turkey-Armenia Framework

By Valerie Nichols

The almost century-old dispute between Turkey and Armenia over the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 has reached a symbolic breakthrough.  A “framework” for normalizing bilateral relations was agreed upon under Swiss mediation, but exactly how it will work to resolve tensions remains unclear.

UN Conference on Racism: Another Wasted Opportunity

By Valerie Nichols

Monday’s opening of the UN Conference on Racism met low expectations, fueling criticism that it was simply a rerun of the notorious Durban Conference in 2001.