Articles archive
Can London's Olympics 'buck trend' and leave true legacy?
Studies of previous Olympics have shown no real long-term economic benefits or increased participation in sports – but if certain conditions are met London is well placed to buck this trend, writes Peter Grant
Problems ahead for the EU due to 'troublemakers' like UK
Many EU institutions and member states want a bigger supranational budget and 'more Europe'. Others, like Britain prefer a pick and mix approach to EU policies and funding. Our secret columnist predicts further trouble for the union in the near future, due to continued clashes between national sovereignty and EU collectivism
EU 'should extend' Somalia anti-piracy mission
A parliamentary committe in the UK praises the EU's naval operation off the Somalia coast for reducing the number of hostages taken by pirates - and calls for its mandate to be extended
British gunboat diplomacy over Julian Assange was 'PR disaster'
There never was any prospect of Britain rescinding the diplomatic status of the Ecuadorian embassy as to do so would be tantamount to tearing up decades of international law – argues Chris Whitehouse
Non-euro countries hit by EU construction decline
European Union leaders will begin a week of key meetings on the debt crisis against a backdrop of a worsening economic outlook, with the latest figures for the construction sector showing output falling even in the eurozone core
Turkey in 'urgent' need of political opposition
A robust opposition party is a vital part of a healthy democracy – but in Turkey, an increasingly important player in regional and global affairs, the position is currently vacant, writes Ziya Meral
South America condemns UK 'threats' over Assange
The Union of South American Nations has criticised the United Kingdom's alleged threat to enter the Ecuadorean embassy in London in order to arrest the Wikileaks founder Julian Assange
Russian political system is 'rotten to the core'
The abuse of public power by government officials is widely spread throughout the country and corruption is already a way of national thinking in Russia – claims Tigran Grigoryan
Norwegian Police Chief steps down over Breivik
Defence analyst Anthony Tucker-Jones argues that Norway's police chief was not to blame for the intelligence failures of 22/7
Ashton brands Pussy Riot sentences disproportionate
The two-year prison sentences handed to the members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot have been described as "disproportionate" by EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton
International community 'must unite' against genocide
History shows that the international community's failure to sufficiently punish those responsible for acts of genocide is one of the reasons why war crimes are still committed in the 21st century, writes Vahram Ayvazyan
Finland: Minister dismisses euro break-up 'speculation'
European affairs minister Alexander Stubb has reasserted Finland's commitment to the euro after a senior member of the coalition government said plans had been made for the break-up of the currency
Norway's 'intelligence catastrophe' over Breivik
Defence analyst Anthony Tucker-Jones reports on the intelligence failings that led to the deaths of 77 innocent people at the hands of Anders Behring Breivik in Norway last year
Monti's 'last chance' to put Italy on right track
The final phase of Mario Monti's technocratic government in Italy could set the country's political agenda for years to come – with crucial decisions on reducing the public debt and whether to seek EU aid framing the debate, writes Pietro Battistella
EU attempt to impose federal identity 'pitiable'
The European Union's attempt to jump on the Olympic bandwagon is pitiable and it should give up trying to impose a federal identity, writes Marina Yannakoudakis