Catalan and Spanish Leaders Take Steps to Normalize Relations
Quim Torra and Pedro Sánchez meet for the first time.
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.
Spain’s People’s Party Primary, Explained
Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría is the favorite, but Pablo Casado has mounted a strong challenge.
Rumors of a Democratic Civil War Are (Probably) Exaggerated
When it comes to bread-and-butter issues, centrist and left-wing candidates actually have a lot in common.
Brexiteers Are Still in Denial About What Leaving the EU Means
The EU has made clear from the start that its four freedoms cannot be separated.
Removing American Troops from Germany Would Be a Mistake
Those 35,000 soldiers serve American, not German, interests.
Give America’s Cities the Power They Deserve
To avoid deepening the rural-urban split, devolve more power to city governments.
America’s Supreme Court Has Become Too Powerful
Legislators aren’t doing their jobs, which has made the court more important than it should be.
Fetishizing Victimhood: From Poland to America
Wallowing in self-pity doesn’t buy nations respect.
Four Theories for Rise of Nativism and Trump
Those who want to deradicalize the Republican Party and defeat Trump need to figure out which played the bigger role.
Nine EU Countries Establish Joint Military Intervention Force
The new force is a win for France, which has long called for closer defense cooperation in Europe.
Far-Right League Gains Most from Governing in Italy
The League is up in the polls, despite having done little yet to address Italy’s immigration crisis.
Dutch Lead Resistance to Macron’s Eurozone Budget
The Netherlands has formed a coalition with like-minded nations in Northern Europe.
Three Possible Futures for Europe’s Open-Borders Schengen Area
Unless member states can agree on new border and asylum policies, the Schengen Area could fizzle out.
Macron, Merkel Agree on Eurozone Reforms
Other countries may not be eager to join.
Sánchez Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Federalizing Spain
Spain’s new prime minister mustn’t make the same mistake as the last.