All Europe
First LookOne year in office, has Italian Premier Meloni proven skeptics wrong?Giorgia Meloni took office one year ago as Italy鈥檚 first post-war far-right premier. But so far, Ms. Meloni has surprised skeptics. Notably, she has backed NATO support for Ukraine despite running an election campaign 鈥渞aging against Europe.鈥�
FocusFrance won鈥檛 apologize to Algeria for war. Enter the French people.Can a former colonial power make amends without offering an apology? France and Algeria offer a test case that shows how difficult it can be to grapple honestly with the past.
After Karabakh: Why peace in Azerbaijan could unsettle larger Russian sphereAzerbaijan's seizure of the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno Karabakh could prompt other ex-Soviet republics to choose violence over diplomacy.
As Poland votes, its close partner Ukraine becomes a political footballIf one European nation has stood by Ukraine in its war with Russia, it is Poland. But that partnership is under strain as Poland nears crucial national elections and parties try to take advantage of voters鈥� frustrations.
First LookPoland freed itself from communism. Now it's fighting for democracy.Sunday's elections in Poland may be the most important since 1989, when the nation threw off communist rule. Those activists who once fought communism are now divided 鈥� and many are worried that Polish democracy is at stake.
In Pictures: Why Yazidi herders still traverse Armenian mountainsEach year in the warmer seasons, Yazidi herders and their families guide their livestock to Armenia鈥檚 high pastures 鈥� a vestige of a nomadic past.聽
First LookGermany steps up deportations as migration pressure increasesGerman lawmakers have drawn up legislation to ease deportations. Political pressure is rising on the country's governing coalition, which fared poorly in two state elections on Sunday in part because of the migration issue.
First LookUK Supreme Court listens to arguments on Rwanda deportation policyThe British Supreme Court is hearing arguments this week around an agreement made last year to send failed asylum seekers聽in Britain to Rwanda. No one has yet been deported as court battles have delayed the implementation of the policy.
First LookChurch and state in Poland too close for comfort, say young votersThe ruling Law and Justice party that has aligned itself closely with the Catholic Church seeks to win a third straight term in the upcoming Polish parliamentary election. The party鈥檚 海角大神 values have led many young Poles to turn away from religion.
As GOP faction challenges Ukraine policy, does Biden have an answer?Amid weakening support for the Ukraine war effort, it鈥檚 a dramatic shift in Washington that has Kyiv and Western leaders most concerned.
With wary eye on Moscow, European Union opens door to UkraineRussia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine has put European Union enlargement on the agenda again, with Kyiv the top-priority candidate. But joining won鈥檛 be easy.
First LookArmenians decry use of Israeli arms in Karabakh invasionWeeks before invading Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan received weapons shipments from Israel. Azerbaijan went on to recapture the region, causing thousands to flee 鈥� and bringing Israel鈥檚 national interests in the Caucasus to light.
For these Ukrainian volunteers, mission is to bring elders out of harm鈥檚 wayFleeing one鈥檚 home in war is often a difficult choice to make, but it is particularly so for Ukraine鈥檚 seniors, who have survived hard times before. It often falls upon volunteers to bring them to safety.
First LookFor the first time, women will have a seat at the Vatican's tablePope Francis will open a global gathering of Catholic bishops and laypeople this week to discuss the future of the Catholic Church. Women鈥檚 voices and votes will take center stage for the first time this year, in a historic move for the church.
With one video, Russia鈥檚 Chechnya problem seizes the spotlight againIn theory, Russian law applies everywhere within Russia鈥檚 borders. But over and over, the Chechen republic proves exempt from those rules, no matter how blatant a violation might be.
First LookSpain鈥檚 left needs votes to govern. For Catalans, it鈥檚 not that easy.Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez needs the support of Catalan regional parties to form a government. The price might be granting amnesty to independence activists 鈥� a move that would be highly divisive with the rest of Spain鈥檚 voters.
Wanted: A humane and sustainable policy on refugeesRising numbers of refugees seeking comfort in the United States and Europe are prompting a political backlash. Can a humane policy be politically sustainable?
First LookParis turned into real-life Mario Kart as bikes take over the cityThe cycling revolution is transforming France鈥檚 capital. On some boulevards, bikes outnumber cars at peak times as growing numbers of Parisians are discovering that biking can rekindle love for the city鈥檚 charms.
First LookKarabakh dissolves separatist government amid exodus, crackdownsThe breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh government will cease to exist by next year, after Azerbaijan鈥檚 invasion last week. Ethnic Armenians are fleeing Karabakh in fear of civilian reprisals, raising concerns of ethnic cleansing.
To forge bonds, Ukraine tries to bring kids back into schools 鈥� safelyAnother academic year is starting amid war in Ukraine, and some students are going back into classrooms. Schools have to fortify their facilities, but educators and parents view the in-person experience as worth the risk.
