Sarkozy Seen Plotting Return to French Presidency, Party Divided
The former president may be the only man who’s able to unite conservatives. What will they do without him?
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.
Britain to “Stick” to Spending Plan, Labour Equivocal
Britain’s chancellor says he can “turn this country round” if it sticks to his economic plan.
Netherlands Seek to Halt “Creeping” EU Competencies
One of the bloc’s founding members believes the time of ever-closer union is over.
Florence Mayor Carves Out “Third Way” for Italy’s Democrats
Likely prime ministerial candidate Matteo Renzi seeks to imitate Tony Blair’s centrist socialism.
Putin Promises Infrastructure Spending, Investors Skeptical
Russian economic policy seems increasingly statist under Vladimir Putin’s third term.
Leftists Pull Out Greek Coalition Over Public Broadcaster Row
Conservative prime minister Antonis Samaras is left with a three-seat majority in the legislature.
Kyrgyzstan Demands Americans Vacate Air Base Next Year
The Central Asian country ends the United States’ lease on a transit center that is critical to the Afghan war effort.
Dutch Move Toward Final Decision on F-35 Fighter Jet
The coalition government is reportedly close to a compromise on replacing its F-16s.
Fewer Nuclear Weapons Might Not Make America Safer
There is no proof that further nuclear weapons reductions will make America safer.
Fijian Troops Replace Austrian Peacekeepers in Golan
Austria withdraws from the UN mission because the EU ended its arms embargo on Syria.
Berlusconi Urges Italy’s Government to Ignore Borrowing Limit
The former prime minister says Italy doesn’t have to honor its budget commitments.
Boris Johnson Questions Own Party’s Syria Policy
The Conservative mayor distances himself from David Cameron’s support of Syria’s rebels.
Czech Right Seeks New Leader to Stave Off Elections
The Central European country’s ruling party looks for someone to replace Petr Nečas.
Germany’s Economic Success Threatens to Stall Innovation
Angela Merkel urges other European nations to boost their competitiveness. So should take her own advice.
Is Obama’s Syria Policy Secretly Realist?
By arming the rebels, the president forces Hezbollah and Iran to commit more resources to the war.