by Christine Keilholz | 11 Feb 2019 | Decoders, Europe
Theresa May is racing to negotiate a Brexit accord that the UK Parliament can support. Our decoder explains why the deal hinges on the Irish backstop. Demonstrators hold banners on the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland border on 26 Jan. 2019. (AP Photo/Peter...
by Jonathan Sharp | 8 Feb 2019 | Africa, Americas, Asia, China, Environment, Europe, Middle East
Instead of having too many babies, China is now having too few. A declining population is increasingly referred to in apocalyptic terms. Indians commuting in Bangalore, 11 July 2018 (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) The year 2018 saw a “historic turning point” in China’s...
by John Mehaffey | 6 Feb 2019 | Europe, Nationalism, Sports
Ireland’s rugby team has a history of persevering through conflict. As Brexit reopens old wounds, rugby unites players and fans across borders. Ireland’s Devin Toner is held aloft during the most recent rugby game between Ireland and England, Dublin, Ireland, 2...
by Colin McIntyre | 1 Feb 2019 | Decoders, Europe, Nationalism
It’s a term taken from cricket and baseball. Now, a “backstop” holds the key to Britain’s messy exit from the European Union. Demonstrators on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland near Newry in Northern Ireland, 26...
by Colin McIntyre | 29 Jan 2019 | Europe, Nationalism
Europe faces a moment of truth in May. Voters will choose a new parliament, and far-right parties and populists could make big gains. The European Parliament debating chamber in Strasbourg, France (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) Far-right and populist parties...
by Robert Holloway | 18 Dec 2018 | Europe
France’s “gilets jaunes” movement has forced President Macron to offer concessions. And the yellow vests are sending shock waves across Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron (C) assesses damage after “yellow vest” protests in Paris, France, 2...
by Robert Holloway | 7 Dec 2018 | Europe
A surprise uprising of “yellow vests” in France has forced authorities to backtrack on a climate change policy, sparked riots and rattled the government. Protesters wearing yellow vests near the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France, 1 December 2018 (EPA-EFE/Yoan...
by Robert Holloway | 20 Nov 2018 | Europe, United States
Should Europe build its own army? Or spend more to support the transatlantic alliance? A rift has opened up between Europe and the United States. A soldier takes part in a NATO exercise in Poland, 10 November 2018 (EPA-EFE/Tytus Zmijewski) A call by French President...
by Nadia Dala | 7 Nov 2018 | Africa, Europe, Human Rights, Islam, Middle East, Terrorism, Women
By Nadia Dala Both Islamic jihadist movements and Islamic governments that are trying to counter jihadism are relying on women to win over the hearts of Muslims. Women in jihadist circles are child-bearing, silent recruiters, while governments in some parts of the...
by Alexander Nicoll | 3 Oct 2018 | Europe
Wary of Russia and Donald Trump, Europe is spending more on defence and cooperating more closely. But the effects of collaboration will take time. Helicopters fly during a military exercise of the European Defence Agency near Budapest, Hungary, 2 May 2017...