Tag: France

Macron’s NATO Bashing, Global Cluelessness Could Throw Europe into Despair (written for The European Views*)

On By Ivan DikovIn Analyses and Opinion ArticlesLeave a comment
French President Emmanuel Macron’s deeds and words with respect to NATO, the EU, and the West seem to be growing ever more perplexing to the unbiased, well-meaning citizens of the West. Photo: Jens Stoltenberg on Twitter
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

If France’s President doesn’t know who Europe and the West’s enemies are, Europe and the West are in a very, very serious trouble.

Continue reading “Macron’s NATO Bashing, Global Cluelessness Could Throw Europe into Despair (written for The European Views*)” →

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Can Franco-Germany Handle Becoming a Vanguard of Democracy after Brexit? (written for The European Views*)

On By Ivan DikovIn Analyses and Opinion ArticlesLeave a comment
Franco-Germany’s potential as a “vanguard of democracy” badly needed by the West is heavily limited by its unwillingness to commit to such a cause, its historical legacy, and some cracks that are emerging along the Rhine. Map: Wikipedia
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

Franco-Germany seems like the only candidate capable of filling the Western leadership gap opened up by Trump and Brexit.

Continue reading “Can Franco-Germany Handle Becoming a Vanguard of Democracy after Brexit? (written for The European Views*)” →

Macron’s ‘Africans over Eastern Europeans’ Comment Shows EU Must Start Getting Its Priorities Right (written for The European Views*)

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A grand bargain between Trump and Putin that Macron has been trying to broker has been one of the explanations for the recent perplexing behavior of the French President, at least according to some Russian analysts. Photo: Emmanuel Macron on Twitter
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

Western Europe has overwhelming reasons, both geopolitical and civilizational, to prioritize Eastern Europe above other regions.

Continue reading “Macron’s ‘Africans over Eastern Europeans’ Comment Shows EU Must Start Getting Its Priorities Right (written for The European Views*)” →

Looking behind France’s Shameful Veto on Albania, North Macedonia’s EU Accession Talks (written for The European Views*)

On By Ivan DikovIn Analyses and Opinion ArticlesLeave a comment
The EU integration prospects of the Western Balkans have been thrown in disarray by French President Emmanuel Macron, hopefully not as part of some sort of a nasty backstage deal among world powers. Map: EPP
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

The rationale for Macron’s decision doesn’t make sense as purely “enlargement fatique”.

Continue reading “Looking behind France’s Shameful Veto on Albania, North Macedonia’s EU Accession Talks (written for The European Views*)” →

EU Defied US over Iran’s Nuclear Program with INSTEX. Was It Worth It? (written for The European Views*)

On By Ivan DikovIn Analyses and Opinion ArticlesLeave a comment
The leading EU powers’ INSTEX special purpose vehicle has managed to “p*ss off” both Iran and the United States, even though it was supposed to placate both of them. Map: Wikipedia
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

INSTEX has created a dangerous precedent that can ruin future Western sanctions, while also disgruntling everybody.

Continue reading “EU Defied US over Iran’s Nuclear Program with INSTEX. Was It Worth It? (written for The European Views*)” →

From the Notre-Dame Fire to Italy’s ‘Bone-Breaking’ Scam: EU’s Top Stories from April 15, 2019, Ranked (written for The European Views*)

On By Ivan DikovIn Top Daily News RankingsLeave a comment
The fire in the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris has grabbed global attention. Photo: TV grab from France24
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

16 EU news and developments from April 15, 2019 that matter the most. (An experimental piece.)

Following are the top news stories from April 15, 2019, concerning the European Union and its member states, with ranking and commentary by European Views journalist Ivan Dikov. Continue reading “From the Notre-Dame Fire to Italy’s ‘Bone-Breaking’ Scam: EU’s Top Stories from April 15, 2019, Ranked (written for The European Views*)” →

Emmanuel Macron: The New and Real Hope for France and Europe

On By Ivan DikovIn Analyses and Opinion ArticlesLeave a comment
Centrist Emmanuel Macron (right) and far-right Marine Le Pen during their televised debate before the second round of the 2017 French presidential elections. Photo: Video grab from YouTube

Against the backdrop of growing challenges and ugly political faces, Emmanuel Macron’s potential election as President of France is a beacon of hope for his country and beyond. Continue reading “Emmanuel Macron: The New and Real Hope for France and Europe” →

When the Germans Marching East Is a Good Thing. Can Germany Handle It?

On By Ivan DikovIn Analyses and Opinion ArticlesLeave a comment
German military equipment arriving in Lithuania as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence. Photo: Lithuanian Ministry of Defense

Germany needs to stand up, not as an aggressor or an imperialist power of the past, but as a defender of democracy. Continue reading “When the Germans Marching East Is a Good Thing. Can Germany Handle It?” →