The EU Survived Trump. Now It’s Gotta Survive Biden

The challenges underlying the EU-US relationship won’t be gone simply by Biden’s replacing of Trump. Photo: Video grab from YouTube. Above: Video grab from the EC Press Service
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

Not to worry: the Biden years ahead will be no less challenging for the European Union and the Trans-Atlantic relations than the Trump years just past!


Continue reading “The EU Survived Trump. Now It’s Gotta Survive Biden”

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Trump Was Good for the EU. Too Bad the EU Didn’t Take Advantage

US President Donald Trump and then EU chiefs Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker are seen here in Brussels in 2017. Photo: EC Press Service; Above: Photo: Video grab from EC Press Service
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

Somehow Donald J. Trump seems to be on his way out of the White House some time by early 2021. The ripple effect from his one-term “reality show” presidency is going to be hovering around US and world affairs for quite some time. And European and EU affairs, for that matter.


Continue reading “Trump Was Good for the EU. Too Bad the EU Didn’t Take Advantage”

Ukraine Is the Most Important Country for the EU. Here’s Why (written for The European Views*)

Unlike larger countries geographically eligible to join the EU, Ukraine isn’t enticed by the notion of its own empire from the past, present, or future. Map: Wikipedia
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

Size and a desire to join set Ukraine apart from the rest of the world in a unique way as far as the European Union should be concerned.

Continue reading “Ukraine Is the Most Important Country for the EU. Here’s Why (written for The European Views*)”

Trump Seems to Hate the EU. Is It Because He Already Had a George W. Bush Florida Orange Juice Moment? (written for The European Views*)

“Obviously the European Union, as represented by @JunckerEU and the United States, as represented by yours truly, love each other!” Donald Trump commented when he tweeted this passionate photo of him and Juncker back in July 2018. Photo: Donald Trump on Twitter
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

The United States has had to back down twice in the past 16 years in major trade disputes with the European Union.

Continue reading “Trump Seems to Hate the EU. Is It Because He Already Had a George W. Bush Florida Orange Juice Moment? (written for The European Views*)”

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

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

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*)”

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*)

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*)”

‘Pre-Columbian’ Should Be Applied to Europe and the ‘Old World’. Bulgarian Archaeology and History Suggest So (written for ArchaeologyinBulgaria.com)

The annual Ancient Roman market at the Sexaginta Prista Fortress in Bulgaria’s Ruse does justice to the fact that the Romans, for all their might, had a cuisine that was “Pre-Columbian”. Photo: Ruse Regional Museum of History
(*This opinion & history feature article was written by Ivan Dikov for Pax Glocalica's sister publication, ArchaeologyinBulgaria.com)

When a person from the “Old World” (Africa, Asia, Europe) goes to the United States, they invariably come across the term “Pre-Columbian” at some point, regardless of their profession or the reason for their visit. Continue reading “‘Pre-Columbian’ Should Be Applied to Europe and the ‘Old World’. Bulgarian Archaeology and History Suggest So (written for ArchaeologyinBulgaria.com)”

Beyond the Brutal Journalist Murder: Bulgaria Is Going Very Bad and the West Isn’t Noticing (written for The European Views*)

A vigil honoring the memory of murdered journalist Viktoria Marinova. Photo: Video grab from TVN
*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

Bulgaria doesn’t stand out much against the backdrop of all other major international worries for the West but its situation warrants closer attention in order to avoid potential trouble down the road.


Continue reading “Beyond the Brutal Journalist Murder: Bulgaria Is Going Very Bad and the West Isn’t Noticing (written for The European Views*)”

EU Must Adopt ‘EU English’ as Its Official Working Language after Brexit. Here’s Why (written for The European Views*)

Brexit poses a very intriguing question about the fate of the English language in Europe. Photo: Pixabay
(*This opinion / analytical article was written by Ivan Dikov for The European Views website.)

Britain’s supposed departure through Brexit is a golden opportunity for the European Union to seize control of its de facto official working language to the benefit of hundreds of millions of Europeans. Continue reading “EU Must Adopt ‘EU English’ as Its Official Working Language after Brexit. Here’s Why (written for The European Views*)”

President Donald Trump and the (Pseudo-)Liberal Elites Who Got Him Elected

Future 45th US President Donald Trump gives his running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, a thumbs up during the 2016 Republican National Convention. Photo: Wikipedia (A. Shaker/VOA)

Modern-day Western pseudo-liberalism boils down to grave misunderstanding and distortion of some of the most basic principles of the noble and lofty classical liberalism.

What you end up with is: “US President Donald Trump today signed an executive order on…” Continue reading “President Donald Trump and the (Pseudo-)Liberal Elites Who Got Him Elected”

Terrorism as It Once Was: The Miss Stone Affair, America, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire (written for ArchaeologyinBulgaria.com)

Protestant missionary Miss Ellen Stone is seen here at her arrival back in the United States after her six-month abduction by the Bulgarian freedom-fighters, i.e. the Miss Stone Affair. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
(*This history feature article was written by Ivan Dikov for Pax Glocalica's sister publication ArchaeologyinBulgaria.com)

The dramedy of the Miss Stone Affair is a stunning episode of history which teaches about courage and integrity in the struggle for freedom. And about Stockholm Syndrome. Continue reading “Terrorism as It Once Was: The Miss Stone Affair, America, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire (written for ArchaeologyinBulgaria.com)”

Special Relationship’s Specialness: Why Britain (England) *Could* Do Fine after Brexit

Brexit negotiators,the UK’s David Davis, and the EU’s Michel Barnier, in Brussels. Photo: Video grab from YouTube

A post-Brexit Britain (England) could fare decently on its own since it remains armed with the Anglo-Saxon principles in government, and everything else.

Continue reading “Special Relationship’s Specialness: Why Britain (England) *Could* Do Fine after Brexit”

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

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!”

Oliver Stone’s Putin Interviews: How a Hollywood Director Can Make a ‘Useful Idiot’ Out of Himself

US film director Oliver Stone and Russian President Vladimir Putin viewing a video on a smartphone. Photo: Video grab from The Putin Interviews

Award-winning Hollywood director Oliver Stone has seen a past which has never worked. Continue reading “Oliver Stone’s Putin Interviews: How a Hollywood Director Can Make a ‘Useful Idiot’ Out of Himself”

When Trump Is Right: NATO Europeans’ Buck Passing, Free-Riding Shame

The Trump Administration does have a point about NATO member states’ defense spending, if nothing else. Photo: Video grab from YouTube

Hey, perhaps Trump could become the US President to manage to get the Europeans to start paying for their own defense, and build up their own militaries to be able to protect themselves!

Continue reading “When Trump Is Right: NATO Europeans’ Buck Passing, Free-Riding Shame”

CETA Is Actually Going to Hurt the EU and the West. A Lot.

The leaders of the EU and Canada, seen here in September 2016, are strangely ecstatic over the signing of CETA, a secretive trade liberalization deal that will likely worsen inequality in Europe, erode EU standards, and humiliate EU member states. Photo: European Commission

CETA will debilitate further the vanishing EU middle class as well as the building blocks of the European Union, i.e. its member states. Continue reading “CETA Is Actually Going to Hurt the EU and the West. A Lot.”

The EU That Should Have Pulled Itself Together Long before Trump

European Council President Donald Tusk has been outspoken in naming the threats to the EU. But to what end? Photo: Tusk on Twitter

The good people of the EU have had every chance to solidify their supra-national state as a benevolent power but didn’t.

Also, between Donald Trump and Donald Tusk, I like Donald Duck best… Continue reading “The EU That Should Have Pulled Itself Together Long before Trump”

Has China Just Made Its Big Geopolitical Break? Or Is It about To?

Probably the best map to illustrate China’s perspective and the geopolitical importance of the Philippines for it. Map: Geopolitical Futures

China might have achieved a major geopolitical breakthrough mainly thanks to domestic shifts in some of the top US allies in the Asia-Pacific region. If it permanently secures them on its side, this might be a game changer for the geopolitics of the entire globe. Continue reading “Has China Just Made Its Big Geopolitical Break? Or Is It about To?”

New US President Trump’s ‘Muslim Travel Ban’: Much Bravado about Nothing!

Trump might already be doing good on his campaign promises regardless of how detrimental they might be for American interests and world peace. Photo: Gage Skidmore, Wikipedia

Trump’s “Muslim Travel Ban” will yield few practical benefits while boosting anti-Americanism around the globe. Yet, Trump’s doing it – because HE CAN. Continue reading “New US President Trump’s ‘Muslim Travel Ban’: Much Bravado about Nothing!”

Will Trump Let Eastern Europe Be ‘Trumpled’? By Russia or by Turkey?

Is this Cold War sign from West Berlin what’s awaiting Eastern Europe under America’s new President Donald Trump? Photo: Wikipedia

In the past few years, the cornerstone of Eastern Europe’s progress, the US security umbrella, has started to seem increasingly, and dreadfully, shaky. Continue reading “Will Trump Let Eastern Europe Be ‘Trumpled’? By Russia or by Turkey?”

Spotlight and the (Newspaper) Journalism the World Is Losing and Bulgaria Never Had

Part of one of the official posters for “Spotlight”. Photo: Spotlight the Film

The Spotlight movie conveys in a captivating manner the now almost completely gone meticulousness, depth, and romanticism of old-school, traditional media, among all else.  Continue reading “Spotlight and the (Newspaper) Journalism the World Is Losing and Bulgaria Never Had”