All Europe
First LookBrexit uncertainty pushes 'preppers' to stockpile seeds, goodsBritain is scheduled to leave the EU in less than a month, but its departure terms are still unknown, turning easygoing Brits into 鈥減reppers鈥� who are stockpiling vegetable seeds and other goods in anticipation of potential trade disruptions.
Specter of new arms race has Russia recalling Soviets鈥� fateWith new weapons development and the end of the INF treaty, a new nuclear arms race seems all too possible to Russians. Lessons from the last one, which ended in the USSR鈥檚 collapse, may prove critical.
Reading, writing, and鈥ousseau? Why Philosophy 101 starts young in FranceThe idea that philosophy is a suitable subject for children is a hard sell. But in France, where educators recognize the value of helping children understand a complex world, the practice is catching on.聽
First LookBritish PM says Parliament will get to decide between no deal and delayWith barely a month to go before Britain is due to leave the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May told lawmakers that if her deal with the EU is defeated,聽they will then be able to vote on whether to leave the bloc without an agreement.
Back out in the open, Europe鈥檚 anti-Semitism kindles new responsePublic figures harassed and cemeteries defaced in France. MPs in Britain abandoning a party they say is ignoring hatred against Jews. Old libels given new life by the far right. Why is anti-Semitism growing bolder?
When Putin goes, will Putinism persist? Russians debate.When聽the Kremlin鈥檚 ex-chief ideologist speaks, people listen. Last week, he said that the聽governmental structure that Putin built would outlive the man who built it. Now Russians are arguing over what 鈥淧utinism鈥� is.
First LookThousands flood streets in France to decry recent anti-Semitic actsAfter a recent slew of anti-Semitic attacks, thousands of people across France rallied against the bigotry. France is home to the world's third-largest Jewish population, but anti-Semitic hate crimes have increased in recent years.
First LookPutin: US missiles in Europe will be met with 'equivalent weapons'Speaking at his state-of-the-nation address, Russian President Vladimir Putin rebuked the United States for its plans to place new missiles in Europe. He suggested Moscow would retaliate, adding new pressures to already tense relations between the US and Russia.
Cover StoryPeaceful revolutionary: Can Armenia鈥檚 prisoner-turned-prime minister govern?The journalist, revolutionary, and opposition leader became prime minister last May. Now he faces his hardest task yet: governing.
First LookAfter failed budget, Spain calls early electionAfter Spain's聽minority Socialist government was defeated in a budget vote in Parliament, Prime Minister聽Pedro Sanchez called an early election for Apr. 28. In the country's fragmented political environment, forming a new government will be challenging for any party.
First LookItaly's leaders spar over high-speed rail projectThe future of Italy鈥檚 coalition government rests upon the completion of a high-speed rail tunnel to France, as the two factions use the project to determine the country's governing ethos: populism or pro-business?
Baffled by Brexit? You鈥檙e not alone.
First LookGermany mulls tougher rules on telecom suppliers to control Huawei risksGermany's聽Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has expressed support for reforming the country's telecommunications law, rather than an outright ban, to counter the risks posed by Huawei, the Chinese mobile network equipment giant.
Macron asks a restive France: What would you like to change?Even in the best of times, many in France feel their government isn鈥檛 listening to them, and today that is especially true. Can a 鈥渘ational debate鈥� counteract their malaise, or will it feed into skepticism?
First LookSpain's highest court faces big test in Catalan separatists' trialThis week, Spain's Supreme Court will put on trial a dozen Catalan separatists who led a failed independence referendum in 2017. The court's decision could play an outsized role in Spain's future, as Catalonians remain divided by the secession question.聽
Out of the shadows: Historical female artists finally shineA cursory look through art history may suggest that women have not played a significant role. New research shows otherwise, but doing justice to forgotten female artists requires more than identifying them.
First LookNew Start treaty between US and Russia set to expireNot even a week after the United States ended a treaty with Russia limiting nuclear-warhead proliferation, a Russian official suggests that another de-escalation pact is in danger of dissolution if the US doesn't engage soon with talks before the 2021 expiration date.
First LookIn Ukraine, comedian who plays president on TV leads real raceIn a popular TV series in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy聽plays a high school teacher propelled into the presidency after a video of him blasting official corruption goes viral. In reality, he is now the leading candidate for the country's upcoming presidential election.
To take Spain left, prime minister digs up civil war鈥檚 legacyAt the heart of Pedro S谩nchez鈥檚 government is a dramatic appeal to unresolved issues around the fascist era. But it may not be enough to bolster his party for the challenges of the present.
In uncertain post-INF world, Russia may opt for talks over armsAs the US pulls out of 鈥渢he treaty that ended the cold war,鈥� what鈥檚 next for Russia? Probably a diplomatic attempt to split the US and its European allies in an effort to prevent a return to nuclear standoff.