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Monday, May 4, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
UKRAINE: Flirting with NATO Under Russian Eyes
Western-leaning elites in this nominally neutral country would like to see Ukraine join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) despite strong popular opposition.CZECH REPUBLIC: Nuclear Plant Angers Austria
The Czech Republic is once more under Austrian pressure over its controversial Temelin nuclear plant, which many want decommissioned.SLOVAKIA: Steering Clear of the U.S.
Robert Fico, the charismatic Prime Minister of Slovakia, is shifting his country's foreign policy into an unusual direction in this traditionally pro-U.S. region.EUROPE: Something’s Rotten in the State of Hungary
With Hungarian right-wing extremists looking increasingly active, many are concerned that shots fired against the police headquarters in Budapest were just a warning of things to come.CZECH REPUBLIC: Europe Better Listen
The rise to power of the right-wing Civic Democrats has returned the Czech Republic to a eurosceptic and Atlanticist path, even at the expense of public feelings. The opposition says the country risks political isolation in Europe.MOLDOVA: Waiting for Kosovo and the EU
Wishing to emulate Kosovo's example, the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria is increasingly rejecting the prospect of a unified state, just as the European Union (EU) begins to step in.EUROPE: Opposition to U.S. Base Rises
The arguments put forward by the United States to justify its project for a missile defence base in Eastern Europe are becoming less and less convincing to public opinion and experts of the countries involved.HUNGARY: Fears of Riots Re-Emerge
By pulling down the barriers that protected the national parliament from possible protests, 150 deputies from the Hungarian right-wing opposition Fidesz warned the government just how tense Hungarian society remains.UKRAINE: EU Begins to Look Invitingly
A constant dispute between the liberal President and the 'pro-Russian' Prime Minister over foreign policy has not prevented the European Union (EU) from upgrading its partnership with Ukraine. But nobody dares to mention membership just yet.CZECH REPUBLIC: Hawks and Doves Clash over U.S. Base
The new right-wing government of the Czech Republic, eager to prove its "prestige" as a reliable ally of the United States, last week started negotiations for the setting up of a military base in the Czech Republic. It will not be easy.MOLDOVA: Media Struggles for Independence
Opposition members and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are accusing Moldova's communist cabinet of interfering with the work of journalists who are critical of the government.CZECH REPUBLIC: Political ‘Anarchy’ Comes to an End
It took nearly eight months for the Czechs to come out with a government, and once they did the media has baptized it as "a political farce" and a "freak show".SLOVAKIA: Right-Wing Opposition Fears Socialist Foreign Policy
The possibility of an official trip by charismatic Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to Venezuela, China and Libya is causing uproar in the media and opposition, who insist Slovakia should stick to its Euro-Atlantic orientation and rid itself of socialist nostalgia.CZECH REPUBLIC: Shaky Alliance Hopes to Govern
With the Czech Republic well into its seven month without a government, caretaker Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek will seek parliamentary approval of his new cabinet this Friday. Yet his many enemies - the opposition, the President and even members of his own party - might prevent him from succeeding.SLOVAKIA: Govt Meddling with Public Media
The Slovak government headed by social democrat Robert Fico is said to be pressuring the country's public media to take more pro-governmental stances.DEVELOPMENT: Global Tourism Swallowing Prague
Czechoslovakia's four decades of communism relegated Prague to a secondary role on the great tourist circuits. But the "return to Europe", as many Czechs call the advent of liberal democracy, globalisation, and with it tourism, has ended Prague's days of quiet.CHALLENGES 2006-2007: Europe Reaches Out to the Balkans
Twelve years of continuous reform will mean that on Jan. 1 2007 Bulgaria and Romania will become the latest and poorest members of the European Union (EU), amid growing scepticism over enlargement.MOLDOVA: Migration Hits Those Who Stay Behind
With a population engulfed in poverty and hopelessness, many Moldovans chose to seek fortune abroad. But migration has been a doubled-edged sword: while keeping many out of poverty, it has also meant abandonment and abuse for countless others.UKRAINE: Another Election? No, Thanks
The pro-Western parties in Ukraine, uncomforted by their opposition status, are attempting to regain power through early elections or a constitutional reform. But most Ukrainians, fed up with power struggles, have distanced themselves from their plans.CZECH REPUBLIC: Evict the Roma, Become a Top Politician
When Mayor Jiri Cunek ordered the eviction of Roma inhabitants from his town last month, voices were raised demanding he step down from politics. Instead, he has been elected leader of the Christian Democratic Party and will probably have a role in forming the new Czech government.MOLDOVA: Victorious Rebel Leader Looks at Russia
Democratic or not, results say Igor Smirnov, incumbent leader of the self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria, will stay for a fourth consecutive term as he promises to push the region into a Russian embrace.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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