Iraq’s Parliament Convenes as Country Falls Apart
Lawmakers gather in Baghdad while Sunni militants declare a caliphate and the Kurds edge closer to independence.
Nick Ottens
Nick Ottens is a public affairs officer for the Dutch Animal Coalition and a board member for Liberal Green, the sustainability network of the Dutch liberal party VVD. He is a former political risk consultant and a former research manager for XPRIZE, where he designed prize competitions to incentivize breakthrough innovation in agriculture, food and health care. He has also worked as a journalist in Amsterdam, Barcelona and New York for EUobserver, NRC, Trouw, World Politics Review and Wynia’s Week, among others.
Nordic Premiers Could Become European Council President
Jyrki Katainen and Helle Thorning-Schmidt are likely candidates.
Iraq’s Sunnis Likely to Fall Out Once ISIS Campaign Runs Its Course
Many of the Sunnis who back the offensive against Iraq’s government don’t share the Islamists’ vision.
Abandoned by the West, Libyans Vote with Little Hope
Three years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, Libyans have little reason to be optimistic.
Has Merkel Given Up on the British?
The German leader seems willing to meet French and Italian demands.
Japan’s Abe Shies Away from Structural Economic Reforms
The “third arrow” of the Japanese prime minster’s economic reform program underwhelms.
Last of Declared Chemical Weapons Removed from Syria
An international effort to dismantle Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal draws to a close, but Assad could still have poison gasses.
Euroskeptic Bloc Has Failed: Dutch Freedom Party Leader
Geert Wilders calls a deal with the Polish Congress of the New Right “a bridge too far.”
Sunni Insurgents Consolidate Gains in Iraq as Army Flees Border
Radical Islamists consolidate their gains in the north of Iraq while the army abandons its border posts.
Italy’s Renzi Wins Conservative Backing for Senate Reforms
Italy’s two largest conservative parties support the prime minister’s plan to weaken the Senate.
Likely Future Premier: Bulgaria Could Pull Out of South Stream
Boyko Borisov says construction of the Russian pipeline will only go ahead if it complies with EU law.
As Obama Dithers, Canada Approves Competing Pipeline
With China seeking oil to fuel its economy, the Canadians can’t wait for America to make up its mind.
Farage Saves Euroskeptic Group with Front National Defector
The UKIP leader cobbles together just enough allies to maintain his bloc in the European Parliament.
Iraq’s Maliki Boycotts Sunni Party, Lashes Out at Saudi Arabia
Rather than seeking rapprochement with Sunnis, Iraq’s Shia prime minister is relying heavier on his own sect.
By Cutting Gas, Russia Forces Ukraine to Make Painful Choice
Ukraine must either leave its own citizens in the cold or antagonize its new European friends.