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Friday, April 19, 2024
News and Views from the Global South
CZECH REPUBLIC: U.S. Radar Makes Some People Hungry
Both opponents and supporters of the U.S. radar to be built on Czech soil have turned to hunger strikes to voice their opinions, with some politicians following suit.POLAND: Washing the Dirty Laundry
The former conservative government's abuse of the Polish secret services for ideological and political aims has left Polish intelligence in complete disarray.SLOVAKIA: Hungarians See Hardships Ahead
The sizeable Hungarian minority in Slovakia believes that plans to change education laws cast doubts on the Slovak state's commitment to multiculturalism.UKRAINE: Nuclear Power Seen As the Answer to Russia
Ukraine is embarking on a costly and inefficient path of nuclear development, hoping it will halt its energy dependence on Russia.EUROPE: Going Nuclear Despite Warnings
The EU seems to be backing nuclear energy as the response to global warming and gas dependency, but civic groups warn that safety and waste processing should be preconditions for the industry's growth.CZECH REPUBLIC: Read the Papers And Fear the Muslims
One result of the Czech media and politicians' frequent warnings of the dangers of Islamic terrorism has been a growing Islamophobia.CZECH REPUBLIC: People Battle Radar Site
Greenpeace activists have occupied the tentative site of a U.S. radar base, supported by the mayors and the population of surrounding villages and towns. But the government is as determined to comply with U.S. requests.HUNGARY: Pragmatism with Russia Troubles U.S.
The last year has seen an attack on Hungary's foreign policy by many conservative sectors in the U.S. and Hungary who think Hungarian-Russian economic cooperation betrays Western interests.SLOVAKIA: Govt Wins First Battle Against Media
In the midst of a war against the media, the government has passed a controversial press bill that journalists and opposition alike say endangers freedom of the press.UKRAINE: Ungovernable As Always
The conflict between the pro-Western allies governing Ukraine, President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yuliya Timoshenko, is escalating in a country made ungovernable by political ambitions.HUNGARY: Left Turn by Right Brings Upheaval
Hungary's governing coalition has announced it is splitting up, leaving the socialists in a minority government, and so prolonging the biggest crisis of the left since state socialism collapsed in 1989.EUROPE: U.S. Seeks the Peaceful Way for Military Base
NATO countries have given cautious support to U.S. plans to extend its missile defence system to Eastern Europe, just as Washington is working hard to fulfil Russia's conditions to agree to its construction.RUSSIA: In a Polite Battle With NATO
The recent NATO summit in Bucharest has shown that both western and eastern European members states have irreconcilable views on how to approach Russia: what the west sees as cooperation, the east calls capitulation.CZECH REPUBLIC: Washington’s Trojan Horse?
U.S. visa policies are causing a new rift in the EU, with Eastern European countries signing bilateral deals that Washington could use to stiffen visa requirements for all EU countries.EUROPE: NGOs Seek More Attention to Local Realities
The EU has promised to increase efforts to include civil society in its strategy to bring change in Serbia, Belarus and Russia, but NGOs are pointing out that each country has specific needs.EUROPE: New Push for Pro-EU Reform
The EU wants to use civil society to promote pro-EU reforms in the governments of its southern and eastern European neighbours - and civic actors seem to be willing to play along in what looks like a win-win situation.SLOVAKIA: Corruption Haunts Governing Coalition
Slovakia's left-wing government continues to survive media and opposition attacks over a series of corruption scandals. The scandals have not, however, diminished the government's popularity.EUROPE: Poland Shows its Tusk
What looked like a foregone conclusion - Warsaw nodding to Washington's request to build a U.S. missile base in Poland - is on thin ice after Poland's new government decided to switch to what it calls a realistic approach to negotiations.RUSSIA: Price Fuels Gas War
A renewed Russian-Ukrainian gas conflict has been provisionally averted, but as Ukrainian politicians struggle for control of the gas sector, the next months are likely to bring more price wars.KOSOVO: Irredentist Ripples Spread Out
While the world wonders whether Kosovo's proclaimed independence will indeed constitute a precedent, its initial effects on other frozen conflicts in Europe are beginning to be felt.RUSSIA: Black Sea Fleet Sailing Into Uncertain Waters
The long-term presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukrainian territory touches a sensitive nerve in a country that is asserting its independence from Russia by seeking NATO membership.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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