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Tackle terrorism, not conservatism0
Many have rushed to blame religious conservatism for a surge in terror attacks, citing Islamist extremism as the root of increased violence. Conflating the issues of terrorism and religious conservatism is not only simplistic, it is also dangerous and short-sighted. It alienates those very same communities who are our best allies in curbing the spreading of home-grown terror. An effective answer to domestic terrorism should focus on socioeconomic issues, not on religious conservatism.
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The EU-China climate alliance: new plans and old troubles1
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 25/06/2017
The success of common EU and China climate ambitions will, to a large degree, depend on overcoming persistent disagreement in the fields of trade and investment.
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The ENP’s revision: More of the EU’s timid rhetoric?1
- International Relations and Global Affairs, Op-ed
- 25/06/2017
When the EU reported on it revised external policies in its neighbourhood, did it deliberately overlook its shortcomings and meagre deliverables? Is the EU shying away from following a harder line with southern neighbours to achieve the agreed-upon objectives of political reform? Worst still, is the maintenance of the status quo a goal in itself?
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Gender parity in governments: Can we force it?0
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 24/06/2017
In 2015, Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, gave Canada its first cabinet made up of an equal number of men and women. When asked about the reason for his gender parity promise, he simply answered: “Because it’s 2015.”
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Is the EU citizens’ data safe under the new framework?0
- Digital Policy and Internet Governance, Op-ed
- 07/06/2017
The last two years will not only be remembered for the end of roaming charges or Brexit. These have also been memorable years for the great amount of European legislation regarding personal Data’s protection and its transfer abroad. Can European citizens’ Data be considered safe under the current European legislation or does it require further development? How can this legislation be practically implemented?
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Climate change and biodiversity: Two global challenges for the price of one0
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 01/05/2017
Healthy ecosystems and vibrant biodiversity are crucial elements to life on this planet. Ecosystems are delicately balanced and even slight shifts in temperature can have considerable knock-on effects. Substantial losses to biodiversity and a range of ecosystem functions are projected if we continue with a ‘business as usual’ approach.
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What drives Japan towards a more aggressive foreign policy?0
- International Relations and Global Affairs, Op-ed
- 22/04/2017
Izumo is a Japanese 249 meter-long warship that can operate up to nine helicopters. It’s the largest warship to be dispatched in the South China Sea and symbolizes the shift of Japanese politics from a pacifist approach to a more aggressive one. Izumo will counter the menaces in the South China Sea, but it will definitively shake up political relations as well.
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The flawed rhetoric around NATO’s two percent3
- International Relations and Global Affairs, Op-ed
- 19/04/2017
Increased contributions to NATO’s budget might not significantly alter member states’ security situation – the aggressive rhetoric around them could.
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Offshoring EU Asylum: Where to draw the line in the fight against irregular migration?0
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 10/04/2017
Calls from high-profile European politicians to adopt a policy resembling Australia’s controversial ‘offshore’ asylum model have rightly been rejected as legally inadmissible, logistically unfeasible, and morally unacceptable. The fact that such a discussion is taking place, however, highlights the ongoing failure of Dublin reform discussions and the overall lack of a credible EU strategy for managing arrivals and saving lives in the central Mediterranean. It is also symptomatic of the growing influence of the right in Europe’s migration debate.
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