All Europe
First LookGermany reaches out to US public as relations strainPresident Trump's combative foreign policy against long-standing American allies has led Germany to spearhead a hearts-and-minds campaign directly to the American people聽called Wunderbar Together聽to celebrate Germany's cultural contributions.聽
First LookOne year after vote, Catalan separatists demand actionOn Oct. 1, hundreds of Catalan activists blocked roads, occupied railway tracks, and protested outside of the Spanish delegation's local headquarters. The activists continue to demand independence from Spain one year after a divisive referendum vote took place.
Macedonians vote on their country's name. Will they follow heart or head?This Sunday, a referendum will decide whether to ditch the country's wordy official name for the more concise 鈥淣orth Macedonia.鈥� It could be the key to unlocking access to the European Union and NATO.
One reporter's fascination with Siberia leaves readers asking for moreAs a subscriber you鈥檝e probably seen plenty of our Moscow Bureau Chief Fred Weir鈥檚 stories probing the geopolitical storms swirling out of Moscow. But we were all recently reminded how Fred鈥檚 30-plus years of living in Russia have blessed him with a curiosity that can take you beyond the news cycle and into everyday Russia. One in a series of monthly profiles of Monitor journalists.
With new missile defense for Syria, Russia shifts its relationship with IsraelDespite working closely with Israel's traditional enemies, Syria and Iran, during Syria's civil war, Russia has managed to maintain a good relationship with Israel. But it could be about to sour.
In a first for Russia, Moscow agrees with locals that their election was riggedWesterners often assume that Russian politics is wholly corrupt. But the response to blatant ballot stuffing in Russia鈥檚 Far East shows some limits to what Russia will tolerate 鈥� and such fraud may be on its way out.
First LookItaly seeks to limit asylum seekersA decree approved by Premier Giuseppe Conte and his Cabinet tightens criteria by which migrants can receive humanitarian protection. The movement was driven by Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, whose right-wing League party associates migrants with crime.聽
First LookHungary continues to stifle independent journalismDozens of media outlets critical of Prime Minister Viktor Orban have changed hands in the past four years. Those that聽toe the government line receive more state advertising spending, media researchers say.聽The EU has sent a warning to Hungary for violating rules on media freedom.
With stalled talks between EU and May, Labour Party searches for its pathNegotiations between the European Union and Prime Minister Theresa May have stumbled, and the future of Brexit looks more uncertain. At its party conference this week, divided Labour will debate merits of forcing another referendum to reverse Britain's course.
First LookEU rejects May's exit plan as Brexit loomsIn a series of meetings between the EU and the UK, both sides left empty-handed as Prime Minister Theresa May's government feels increasing political pressure in London and the final date for Brexit approaches in March.聽
In struggle over Ukrainian Orthodox communion, a political hornet鈥檚 nestOrthodox leaders in Ukraine are attempting to create a national church. But their success would likely result in a political schism, as parishes that were once spiritually allied to Moscow would be forced to orient toward Kiev.
First LookWith Catalan politicians still in Spanish prison, dialogue stumblesIt has been almost one year since Catalans voted to separate from Spain. The government in Madrid reacted by imprisoning many Catalonian political leaders, and that continues to be a source of tension for a resolution over the issue of independence.聽
Putin's war games send signal to West, but Russia-China alliance unlikelyThe Vostok 2018 war games in Siberia may look to some like an indicator of an impending Sino-Russian alliance. But experts say the exercises are not as grand as they appear and are less an omen than a word of warning to the West.
First LookAnti-Putin protests now led by Russian youthUnder Russian President Putin's leadership, protests have been primarily dominated by middle-aged people, but anti-Western attitudes, alleged corruption, and strict moral doctrine have left young people frustrated.
First LookBaptist pastor starts nonprofit to restore post-Holocaust cemeteriesSteven Reece has been cleaning up forgotten cemeteries in Eastern Europe for years. He hopes to honor victims and the current Jewish community, while also building understanding between 海角大神s and Jews.聽
In Albania, new Turkish mosque stirs old resentmentsAlbania is short of mosques, and Turkey is building one in the capital for free. So why are Albanian Muslims not all happy about this?
First LookSteve Bannon hopes to unite Europe's populists under 'The Movement'Following his exit from the Trump White House, Steve Bannon is heading to Europe to forge a coalition among Europe's right-wing to take control of the European Parliament and challenge the future of the EU.
First LookWho will rule in Sweden? Election results bring uncertainty.Preliminary elections results from Sweden show no single party winning a majority, making it unclear who will govern the country. Meanwhile, the far-right Sweden Democrats won more than 17 percent of the vote, an increase from the 13 percent it gained four years earlier.
Finland used the swastika before the Nazis. Why do they still?The swastika was introduced to the Finnish military in 1918, before the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. The symbol is still used in the official emblem of the Finnish Air Force, and Finns are generally just fine with that.
First LookTrans students return to schools ill-prepared to support themTransgender students around the world are struggling to receive an education amid a backdrop of bullying and misunderstanding. While some schools choose to accommodate these pupils through updated policies, such as gender-neutral bathrooms, others refuse to adapt.聽