EU governments should welcome today’s ECHR ruling on torture
In a ruling announced today, the European Court of Human Rights has struck a significant blow in defence of Europe’s moral standing in the fight against terrorism
Human Rights and Democracy
Boycotting the China Olympics
Spielberg was right to step down but governments should look at China’s policies within a historical context, and have a strategy for influencing Beijing beyond the summer of 2008
Fighting in Chad should prompt EU re-think
If the European Union is to succeed in Chad, it will need to design an integrated response, covering political, development and military action alike
Is the EU living up to its rhetoric on human rights?
The gap between the EU’s rhetorical and actual commitment to democracy and human rights could lead to growing international scepticism about the EU’s role on the global stage
The EU and Iraq: starting to find a strategy?
The EU is increasingly detached from efforts to stabilise Iraq. But EU governments cannot afford to ignore the situation there, and should use the year ahead to identify strategies to assist Iraq alongside the next US administration
‘Never again’ means Iraq too
The Democratic Party may push for Iraqi troop withdrawals and Europeans may continue ignoring the war, but both should be honest about the consequences of doing so
Observing Russia’s elections
Whatever the electoral outcome, Putin wins. But this time, the manner of the Russian strongman?s victory will undermine not only Russian democracy; but the credibility of Europe?s democracy-promotion
The EU meets China: united we stand?
The EU delegation has prepared an unusually full agenda for the annual EU-China Summit. However, there is a real danger they will go home empty-handed, and the Chinese will hijack the event to lecture about Taiwan and the Dalai Lama
Facing disaster in Iran, Europe must finally make the hard choices
The EU waffles while Washington and Tehran move towards war. Yet Europe has a big stick if it is willing to use it
US and Iran: It’s good to talk
The U.S and Iran are on a collision course. But both countries’ policies are based on misperceptions of each other?s strength