Presidential Election Map Narrows at Romney’s Expense
President Barack Obama seems on track to replicate his Electoral College success of 2008.
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.
Barack Obama Calls for “Economic Patriotism”
The president seeks to reduce oil imports and “invest in America, not ship jobs overseas.”
Spain Plans More Austerity, But Regions Rebel
Madrid is struggling to balance spending as its provinces grow restless.
Coal Country Papers Chastise Obama’s Energy Policy
Ohio and West Virginia fulminate that the president’s “war on coal” destroys jobs.
Single Currency Never Particularly Benefited Germans
Why should Germans do more to save the euro when it hasn’t been a success for them?
Obama, Romney Unfairly Berate “Unfair” Chinese Trade
Trade successes don’t seem to deter either candidate from chastising the Chinese.
Iran Strike Could Destabilize Caucasus, Energy Transits
A strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities could have unintended consequences for the Caucasus.
Perception Gap Between North, South Europe Widening
While the Germans champion austerity, Southern Europeans have had enough already.
Republicans Alarmed by Romney’s China Policy
Party leaders are worried about the candidate’s promise to “crack down” on China.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia Not on Same Page in Syria
The Saudis are arming radical Salafists while Qatar is supporting the Muslim Brotherhood.
Netanyahu’s “Red Lines” Are Unacceptable
Defining limits for Iran’s nuclear program wouldn’t reduce the chance of war at all.
Jihadist Influx Exacerbates Sectarian Tension in Syria
The presence of foreign Islamist fighters is likely to heighten minority apprehension.
Islamist Power Struggle Behind Egypt’s Embassy Riots
Radical Islamist groups are forcing the ruling Muslim Brotherhood to pick sides.
Administration Insists Benghazi Attack Not Premeditated
America’s ambassador to the United Nations contradicts Libya’s assessment of the consulate attack.
Netanyahu Rejects Calls for Patience on Iran Sanctions
Israel’s premier insists “the danger of not acting” is greater than giving Iran more time.