The year in figures and charts – POLITICO

2023 was marked by crisis, transition and conflict. As the war in Ukraine dragged into its second year, the EU was confronted with yet another conflict on its doorstep: The Israel-Hamas war, which brought fresh instability to the Middle East and exacerbated divisions between EU countries. Europe now heads into a big election year and … Read more

Serbian protesters ramp up claims of stolen election – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. BELGRADE — Young people and students, switching between playing football and lively dancing at a street crossing at noon in Belgrade, might fool a bystander into thinking they are just out to have a good time. Only their placards, and occasional chants, reveal they … Read more

Germany and EU face a new trilemma – POLITICO

Miguel Otero-Iglesias a senior analyst at the Elcano Royal Institute in Madrid. Faced with a choice between successfully completing the green transition, effectively achieving economic security and aiming for fiscal discipline, the European Union is confronted with a new trilemma — and it cannot accomplish all three. But while Germany — with its debt brake, … Read more

The guardrails that once prevented wars are failing – POLITICO

Abishur Prakash is the founder of the Geopolitical Business, Inc. He is a global keynote speaker and the author of five books. His latest book is called “The World Is Vertical.” The Israel-Hamas war is an ominous message to the world: The guardrails that long stopped wars from breaking out are now effectively failing. Of … Read more

As U.S., U.K. and EU sanction violent Israeli settlers, Canada hangs back

The Trudeau government still won’t say if it’s considering imposing sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the wake of travel bans announced by both the U.S. and the United Kingdom in recent days. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said last week that he will recommend EU sanctions as well.  Canada, like its American, British … Read more

Xi Jinping warns top officials to contain political risks to avoid China’s economy, society being hit by ‘butterfly effect’

“Small risks will become big risks, risks will become general risks, and economic and social risks will become political risks.” In the speech, Xi also asked officials to “identify risks early, act quickly, take command at the front and make immediate judgments as soon as they arise”. 03:12 Xi Jinping, Joe Biden hold talks on … Read more