Tag: Germany

30 Years of Post-Communism with Well-Deserved Gloom. But Why and By Whom? (written for The European Views*)

On By Ivan DikovIn Analyses and Opinion ArticlesLeave a comment
This isn’t a “Recylce Eastern Europe” sign but my gradation arc of post-communism in Eastern Europe – from most to least westernized, and from least to most oligarchical – going from the northwest down south and up to the northeast. Original map template derived from LizardPoint.com
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

Western failures in Eastern Europe and at home, coupled with Eastern Europeans’ impotence, have entrenched post-communism, the highest stage of communism.

“A specter is haunting Europe. The specter of post-communism…” Continue reading “30 Years of Post-Communism with Well-Deserved Gloom. But Why and By Whom? (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*)

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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*)” →

Rewarding Erdogan, Forgoing the EU: the Moral from Volkswagen’s New Factory in Turkey (written for The European Views*)

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The question of whether non-EU countries beat the EU for major investments because of its own self-imposed rules should be tackled as soon as possible by the entire Union. Map: Wikipedia
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

The EU should rethink its state aid rules when it comes to foreign competition, and the EU multinationals – their approach towards the Union’s home turf.

Continue reading “Rewarding Erdogan, Forgoing the EU: the Moral from Volkswagen’s New Factory in Turkey (written for The European Views*)” →

East Germany Is Perhaps Not Atavistic but Rebels against Some Extremes of the Old West

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The growing popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the five former East German provinces has helped turn them into a favorite target for “political correctness” warriors. Photo: Guvo59, Pixabay
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

The main difference between East and West Germans 30 years after the Reunification seems to be that the former are less constained by the paradigms of political correctness.

Continue reading “East Germany Is Perhaps Not Atavistic but Rebels against Some Extremes of the Old West” →

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

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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*)” →

How Long before Russia’s Risky Toying with Europe’s Far Right Really Backfires? (written for The European Views*)

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The European far right seems like a logical and huge temptation for Moscow but it promises a lot more challenges than benefits. Map: Wikipedia
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

Engaging with the European far right is unpredictable, risky business because you never what kinds of monsters it might produce.

Continue reading “How Long before Russia’s Risky Toying with Europe’s Far Right Really Backfires? (written for The European Views*)” →

From Greece’s ‘German Reparations’ to UK’s EU Elections: EU’s Top Stories from April 17, 2019, Ranked (written for The European Views*)

On By Ivan DikovIn Top Daily News RankingsLeave a comment
Greece isn’t putting to rest the question of its World War II reparation claims for Germany. Photo: Greek Parliament on Twitter
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

The 10 EU news and developments from April 17, 2019, that matter the most. (An experimental piece.)

Following are the top news stories from April 17, 2019, concerning the European Union and its member states, with ranking and commentary by European Views journalist Ivan Dikov. Continue reading “From Greece’s ‘German Reparations’ to UK’s EU Elections: EU’s Top Stories from April 17, 2019, Ranked (written for The European Views*)” →

Brexiting Britain’s ‘Special Relationship’ with the USA: Not So Special Anymore!

On By Ivan DikovIn Analyses and Opinion ArticlesLeave a comment
The UK’s special relationship with the US might suffer under Trump and May because of. Photo: Video grab from YouTube

Britain is to rely increasingly on its special relationship with America because of Brexit; yet, because of  Brexit that relationship won’t be so special anymore.

Continue reading “Brexiting Britain’s ‘Special Relationship’ with the USA: Not So Special Anymore!” →

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

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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?” →