Making sense of the European elections
If you are a New Zealander watching this strange post-EU elections process with a sense of disbelief from afar, do not be too puzzled: Most Europeans do not understand it either. [...]
EU
Looming problems on the EU’s event horizon
While the EU has been gazing into the timeless Brexit black hole, the next crisis could thus be just as severe. We can already see it on the event horizon. [...]
Brexit in a nutshell
In a world where we can hardly buy anything without a disclaimer stamped on it, it is surprising that articles about Brexit still come without a health warning. No, Brexit coverage does not contain nuts. But it can make you go nuts. [...]
A continent on the brink
No matter where you look, Europe is facing serious challenges. The past two or three years after the end of the Greek crisis were a welcome respite for the troubled continent. But the next storm is not far away and it is likely to be worse than the ones before. [...]
Europe’s defence shambles
Europe’s middling defence capacity is no match for the continent’s lofty political ambitions. [...]
When Brexit does not mean Brexit
No matter what Britons voted for in the 2016 referendum, no-one can be happy with the draft Brexit agreement. [...]
Brexit: an experiment in game theory
Britain will inevitably exit the European Union, but hopes of a "smooth Brexit" are likely to be thwarted by the EU's realisation that it's in its interests to make it as messy as possible. [...]
The EU’s reverse Annie Hall problem
“I’d never join a club that would accept me as a member,” says Woody Allen’s character in Annie Hall. With the European Union, it is the other way around: The EU would reject new members as anti-democratic as itself. [...]
Trump and other hypocrites
When discussing free trade, most governments sit in their own glasshouses. Trump’s protectionism deserves a response. But it should be an even greater commitment to free trade, not retaliation. [...]
Belgium proves Brexiteers right
The CETA fiasco has seriously diminished the EU’s reputation as an organisation to do business with. Any other country thinking about doing trade deals with the EU will now think twice. [...]
