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Atlantic Sentinel

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.

Boston Massachusetts

Biden’s Housing Policies Are Steps in the Right Direction

Ending discrimination against prefabricated homes. Encouraging local zoning reform.

Nick OttensMay 18, 2022May 18, 2022
Barcelona Spain

What Conservative Spain Has in Common with Putin

Both are insecure.

Nick 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 OttensMay 11, 2022
Northern Ireland parliament Belfast

Northern Ireland’s Political System Will Need to Change

Power-sharing kept the peace for 25 years. Now it’s making it harder to govern.

Nick OttensMay 8, 2022
Seattle Washington port

To Fight Inflation, Liberalize Trade

It’s one of the few things politicians can do to make life cheaper.

Nick OttensMay 6, 2022
Disney World Florida

Republicans Turn Their Backs on Private Enterprise

Florida’s retaliation against Disney marks an escalation.

Nick OttensMay 5, 2022
Amsterdam Netherlands cannabis store

Amsterdam Won’t Keep Weed from Tourists

Banning the sale of cannabis could lead to a surge in street crime.

Nick OttensMay 1, 2022May 3, 2022
Louvre Paris France

Two Parties May Be Better Than Three

The only thing worse than two-party polarization is permanent rule by the center.

Nick OttensApril 29, 2022
Washington DC

Why Congress Let Biden’s Child Benefits Lapse

And what it can learn from the Dutch.

Nick OttensApril 26, 2022
Emmanuel Macron

Macron’s Next Challenge: Defending His Majority in Parliament

The president’s second term could be a lot harder than his first.

Nick OttensApril 24, 2022April 24, 2022
Emmanuel Macron

Macron Wins Second Term in France

Emmanuel Macron is the first French president in twenty years to win reelection.

Nick OttensApril 24, 2022April 25, 2022
Charles de Gaulle

The Three Political Traditions That Explain the French Election

Charles de Gaulle’s two-party system has broken down.

Nick OttensApril 23, 2022April 23, 2022
Joe Biden

Democrats Are Losing Touch with Middle America

Voters feel the party is drifting too far to the left.

Nick OttensApril 22, 2022April 25, 2022
Pedro Sánchez

Sánchez Can No Longer Ignore Catalonia

A spying scandal shatters what little hope Catalan nationalists had of negotiating with Madrid.

Nick OttensApril 21, 2022April 21, 2022
Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Macron Is Lesser of Evils for Mélenchon Voters

Left-wing France should give the president a second chance.

Nick OttensApril 20, 2022April 20, 2022

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