Nigel Farage in the European Parliament

UK: Is it time for strategic depth in British foreign policy?

In March 1848, the then-Foreign Secretary and legendary statesman, Lord Palmerston, painted a picture of British foreign policy that has been instrumentalised as a realist maxim ever since. Speaking in the House of Commons, in response to the revolutionary fervour Read on! →

Secretary of State Clinton & EU High Representative Catherine Ashton meet with the Bosnia and Herzegovina's tripartite Presidency, Bakir Izetbegovic (L), Nebojsa Radmanovic (2nd R) and Zeljko Komsic

Bosnia: Independence never far from the minds of Bosnian Serbs

As relations between Serbia and Kosovo improve after an agreement signed last month giving extensive rights to Serbs and their municipalities in Kosovo, there are renewed demands in the Republika Srpska for it to separate from Bosnia and Herzegovina. On Read on! →

The co-operative bank has been downgraded by Moody's

UK: Would criminal law prevent banks taking excessive risks?

On Friday we were yet again reminded of the fragility of the UK financial sector. The Co-operative bank has had its credit rating downgraded to ‘junk’ status by credit rating’s agency Moody’s. In addition, their CEO, Barry Tootell, has resigned Read on! →

What is the future for Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats?

UK: What is the future of the Lib Dems?

The Liberal Democrats have had the fastest rise and fall in modern day politics, whilst, their leader Nick Clegg has gone from being heralded as a potential Prime Minister to being dubbed ‘Calamity Clegg’ by the media. At his party’s Read on! →

Property for sale in London, 2009

UK: Is London seeding a property bubble?

The average property price in London has increased fourfold since 1995, soaring, slumping and soaring again in a volatile market that economists and commentators have struggled to get a grip on.

Euro statue outside the European Central Bank in Frankfurt

Europe: Is ‘Euro solidarity’ simply divisive rhetoric?

Billions of Euros have been poured into the EFSF, Eurozone bailout fund; but is solidarity with fellow members a good enough motivation to contribute?

Independence marches in Catalonia, 2012

Spain: Determination remains strong for Catalan secession

Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish PM, and Artur Mas, Catalonia’s regional leader, met in March for secret talks to discuss Catalonia’s financial and political situation. Reports suggest that Mr Rajoy offered to consider a financial deal that would increase the deficit Read on! →

The City of London

Europe: Will a cap on bonuses soothe public anger?

Over the past few months, the European institutions have placed the regulation of banks as their primary target.

The Castellers de Sants performing in 2007

Spain: A Catalan tradition with universal values

Human towers, known as castells, are a long-time Catalan tradition, but some say it teaches more than just good balance.

Catherine Ashton of the EU meets with John Kerry

Will there finally be free trade between Europe and the US?

On 13th February, Barack Obama, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso announced that both the US and the EU will prepare to launch negotiations on a so-called “Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership” to Read on! →