Europe
Europe
Fair Observer provides insightful and informed analysis about important European issues, events and trends.
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360° Analysis / Catalonia / Catalunya / EU / Nobel Prize / Peace Nobel Prize / Politics / Seperatism / EuropeAs economic grievances towards the central government grow among Catalans, what would the secession of this wealthy region mean for Spain and the EU? On 11 September, 2012 the world’s attention, rightly so, was fixated on the assault and subsequent death of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and 3 other personnel at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. On that same day in Spain, an event took place that could very well be the beginnings of the dissolution of Spain as we know it - and have known it - for centuries. Catalan National Day The 11th of September is celebrated every year as the “Diada Nacional de Catalunya” (National Day of Catalonia). Its purpose is to...
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360° Analysis / Catalonia / Catalunya / Independence / País Vasco / Politics / Spain / EuropeBy Ryan BarnesAs prosperity grows in federal regions of Catalonia and Flanders, nationalist and separatist sentiments are being reinforced, as people seek greater control of their economy in the light of financial crisis. Massive anti-austerity protests, twenty five percent unemployment and other economic woes are not the only torments of Spain today. Prime Minister Rajoy also has to deal with an internal revolt in Catalonia, where there is a sharp uptick in separatist attitudes and demands for greater sovereignty, a phenomenon also seen elsewhere in Europe. Catalonia, with an economy the size of Portugal, could be on the brink of breaking away from one of the oldest states in the world. How did it...
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As the European Union is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, separatist movements are gaining momentum across the continent. Background The key separatist movements that are currently vying for independence in Europe are those in Spanish Catalonia and Basque Country, Belgian Flanders and Scotland. A number of less advanced movements also simmer, such as in Italy’s South Tyrol (Alto Adige), in Turkish Cyprus or the Sami regions in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Historic cultural differences are being fuelled by the economic crisis, forcing the wealthier regions to believe that they will be better off on their own or, more precisely, as independent states within the European Union. By offering...
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By choosing to follow an aggressive policy of imperialist nationalism, Putin and his government inadvertently bolstered a serious domestic crisis that threatens the very existence of their regime. In the immediate aftermath of the Orange Revolution in Ukraine in 2005, an array of new institutions, organizations, and concepts were introduced in Russia in an attempt to prevent similar events taking place at home. These innovations included various patriotic youth organizations such as “Nashi” (“Ours”), the Young Guard of United Russia, the Eurasian Youth Union, “Molodaia Rossiia”, “Mestnye” (“Locals”) and new state TV...
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With the Russian right-wing groups increasingly targeting the police and other government officials, Putin’s administration is taking a firmer stand against the nationalist far right. But is it enough? The interview was conducted by Anna Pivovarchuk. How would you describe the situation in Russia with regard to far right groups and right-wing violence? Would you say there is a problem, and if yes, how serious? I think the situation with far right groups is serious, but it is not as bad as it was in the 1990s, when the state turned a blind eye to extremist racial violence. As a journalist, I remember how the then minister of justice Pavel Krasheninnikov refused to prohibit the...
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360° Analysis / Barack Obama / Elections / Europe / Israel / Mitt Romney / NATO / obama / Politics / presidential elections / Romney / Russia / UN / United States / US / EuropeA Romney presidency will signal a re-evaluation of the relationship between Moscow and Washington, a strong commitment to Israel and a continuing push for the European powers to increase NATO’s defense spending. The final countdown to the US presidential election has started and with it has come the unthinkable for many Europeans: a potential victory for Mitt Romney. The Republican challenger is no longer his party’s hopeless second- or third-tier choice. He may remain that among Europeans, but their overwhelming support for Barack Obama cannot blind them from seeing reality. Instead, they need to consider the consequences of a Romney victory. Unfortunately, Romney’s...
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By Paul JacksonWhile it is true that the far right does not have the same political presence in Britain compared toother countries in Europe, we should recognize far right policies are often radicalised forms of mainstream concerns and these need to be challenged. There is a complacent narrative in the United Kingdom that likes to think that the British public are immune from far right ideologies and perspectives. It stresses that the UK’s “first past the post” voting system keeps out any such extremists, who are too disorganised to pose any real political threat anyway. The few “native” far right politicians the country has – such as the British...
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360° Analysis / Elections / obama / Politics / presidential elections / Putin / Romney / Russia / United States / WTO / EuropeA re-elected Barack Obama, despite his support for Russia's WTO membership, the signing of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and his overlooking of the Kremlin’s crackdown on the opposition, may not really be preferred by Russia's leaders over Mitt Romney. By Lilia Shevtsova and David J. Kramer In his speech accepting the Republican nomination for president, Mitt Romney vowed to take a hard line in dealing with Russia. “Under my administration,” he said, “our friends will see more loyalty, and Mr. Putin will see a little less flexibility and more backbone.” Earlier in the campaign, Romney had cited Russia as “our number one...
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United States / Europe / 360° Context / Middle East / Americas / Africa / Global Security / Asia / Oceania / Environment & SustainabilityNatural resources are becoming the new powerful key to defining geopolitics and securing economic and strategic interests. Background Global power shifts in the post Cold-War era have characteristically moved away from traditional military rivalries to economic expansion and prowess. The paradigm, in part fuelled by technological advances and the ferocious scale of globalization in recent decades, has highlighted the strategic advantages lent in particular by natural resources. Historically linked to prolonged conflicts and civil wars in parts of Africa, Latin America and Asia, natural resources such as hydrocarbons, gold, uranium, diamonds, copper, zinc and rare earth minerals are now...
