Italy’s Premier Designate Letta Inherits Divided Party
Enrico Letta’s most immediate concern may be splits within his own ranks.
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.
Dutch Court Jails Former Civil Servant, Russian Spy
A former Foreign Ministry worker passed sensitive documents to Russian intelligence.
Russia Plans to Deploy Fighter Jets to Belarus
Russia expands its military presence in Belarus, seen as a buffer between it and NATO.
End to European Austerity? Probably Not
Austerity may have reaches its “limits”, but that doesn’t mean Europe will reverse course.
France Extends Mali Mission, Army Training Underfunded
France commits to Mali’s counterinsurgency but the army there is in a shambles.
Pacific States Wary About Increasing Coal Exports
Left-wing politicians share environmentalists’ concerns about selling more “filthy” coal.
Italy’s Napolitano Expected to Form Unity Government
The octogenarian president urges parties to take their responsibility.
American Middle East Arms Sales Send “Signal” to Iran
Defense secretary Chuck Hagel calls Iran “a real threat”.
Italy’s Napolitano Reelected, Left Divided, Leaderless
The Italian left seems on the verge of collapse after failing to elect a president of its own.
Italy’s Bersani Resigns After Failed Presidential Elections
The left-wing leader says he will step down once a new president is elected.
North Caucasus Radicals Identified As Boston Bombers
Police apprehend a suspect in their investigation of Boston’s marathon bombing.
Blocked by Berlusconi, Italy’s Prodi Quits Presidential Race
Conservatives accuse the left of breaking a pact to nominate a centrist president.
Italy’s Left Rebels Against Leader in Presidential Vote
Pier Luigi Bersani’s lawmakers vote down his nominee for president.
North Korea Offers Start Dialogue If Sanctions Lifted
Pyongyang says it is willing to resume dialogue if the allies end their threats of “nuclear war.”
Assad, Russia Warn West Against Backing Islamist Rebels
Syria’s president and his Russian ally point to Muslim extremists among the opposition.