On Sunday, January 26th, Britain braced itself to receive some controversial visitors. Led by Gabor Vona, members of Hungary’s Jobbik Party planned to hold a rally outside of the Holborn tube station. What might have been seen as a standard expression of free speech instead became a highly conflicted event due to Jobbik’s status as […]
Europe
Scotland and Catalonia: Europe’s Ballot Box Revolutions
There are 193 member states of the United Nations, and probably a few more countries in the world depending on who you ask. Although this is no meager sum, the global political landscape has changed significantly, considering a few centuries ago there were as many as 1,000 countries in modern day Germany. However, the trajectory […]
Ukraine in Flames
The Olympics regularly goes to great pains to celebrate the togetherness of the world. Sochi was no different: both the opening and closing ceremonies proudly displayed all 2,873 athletes participating. The athletes came from 88 countries in total, with athletes hailing from everywhere from Russia to Timor-Leste. Yet for skier Bohdana Matsotska, the Olympics’ togetherness […]
The Authoritarian Utility of Homophobia
We in the West do not expect much from Russia. In our diplomatic dealings since the Cold War, we have gotten used to Russia’s grudging compliance, at best, and gleeful defiance, at worst. Most of us do not pay much attention to its domestic affairs, besides shaking our heads every time Vladimir Putin fudges an […]
Boring and Proud
Visiting Berlin speaks volumes about Germany’s experience with the 20th century. The hauntingly beautiful Holocaust Memorial, a sea of different sized concrete blocks arranged in a grid pattern, occupies an entire block in central Berlin. No more than 2 blocks away, the Brandenburg Gate, center of the original Berlin wall, towers over the entire city, […]
A Not So Golden Dawn
The Greek fascist movement Golden Dawn is thriving on austerity and xenophobia. Greek society must act swiftly to prevent history from repeating itself.
Europe’s Last Dictator
From the archives: Mac Routh ’12 reflects on protests against Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka in 2012. “They are part of our people, though it’s sad that today we have such youth.” These are Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s thoughts on his country’s youthful protestors. The innovative protests in Minsk, where a simple clap of one’s hands […]