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The view from across the Atlantic, by Nick Ottens

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Nick Ottens

Nick Ottens writes about American and European politics for Atlantic Sentinel and Wynia’s Week. He specializes in the politics of France, the Netherlands and Spain, and is interested in Catalan separatism, drug, energy and housing policy, the future of farming and meat, health care and multiparty democracy. He has been published by the Atlantic Council, EUobserver, Spain’s The Corner and World Politics Review.

Nick grew up in the countryside of North Holland and lived in New York and Barcelona. He wrote opinion columns about Catalan politics and the region’s attempted breakaway from Spain for De Standaard of Belgium, the NRC newspaper of the Netherlands and The National Interest. He worked for three political-risk consultancies and a non-profit, XPRIZE, where he designed multimillion-dollar prize competitions to accelerate innovation, including in health care and meat alternatives.

In his spare time, Nick edits the online (alternate) history magazine Never Was and writes about the making of Star Trek for Forgotten Trek. He is a member of the Netherlands’ liberal party, VVD.

Germany coal power plant

Even in Gas Crisis, Germany Refuses Nuclear Power

Better to burn coal.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 24, 2022
Amsterdam Netherlands cannabis store

How Politicians Keep Making Bad Drug Laws

Some just won’t accept the evidence on decriminalization.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 23, 2022
Paris France

The Center Did Not Hold in France

What Macron’s loss means for the Fifth Republic.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 19, 2022June 20, 2022
French parliament Paris

Takeaways from the French Legislative Elections

Macron has been weakened but remains in first place. The left has united, but it hasn’t grown.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 13, 2022June 20, 2022
Netherlands

The Netherlands’ Farm Crisis, Explained

One in three Dutch livestock farmers could lose their business.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 12, 2022June 13, 2022
Alberto Núñez Feijóo

Spain’s People’s Party Hasn’t Turned the Page Yet

Alberto Núñez Feijóo promised moderation. Moderates are still waiting.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 9, 2022June 12, 2022
Boris Johnson

How Johnson Lost the Confidence of Tory Lawmakers

The prime minister broke the rules, and his word.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 6, 2022June 6, 2022
Dutch soldiers

How the Netherlands Is Spending Billions More on Defense

Soldiers get a raise, the Air Force six F-35s and four Reaper drones.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 5, 2022
Pedro Sánchez

Sánchez Takes Risk by Snubbing Catalans

Without their support, the prime minister would not have a majority in Congress.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 1, 2022June 1, 2022
Ter Apel Netherlands asylum seekers

Why Dutch Asylum Centers Are Full

There is not enough housing for immigrants.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 30, 2022
Emmanuel Macron

Macron’s Party Is Up, But So Is the Left

The French president may defend his majority in parliament after all.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 27, 2022May 31, 2022
Almere Netherlands

Dutch Government Created Housing Shortage, Blames Market

Far from trusting the market, politicians won’t leave housing alone.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 24, 2022May 25, 2022
Boston Massachusetts

Biden’s Housing Policies Are Steps in the Right Direction

Encouraging local zoning reform. Ending discrimination against prefabricated homes.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 18, 2022May 29, 2022
Barcelona Spain

What Conservative Spain Has in Common with Putin

Both are insecure.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 12, 2022
Emmanuel Macron

How Divided Government Works in France

Without a majority in the National Assembly, the president can still make foreign policy.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 11, 2022

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