Wider Europe

Serbia’s European dream lives on – but only just

Pro-European Boris Tadic may have regained the Serbian presidency, but his country remains sharply divided and the fight for its European future is not over. The EU should think hard about ways to support the pro-democracy camp.

Macedonia: a Light unto the Gentiles?

Despite recent problems, Macedonia’s record is still “best in class” and its Euro-Atlantic integration should continue posthaste

Putin’s Mini-Me

Even after a reciprocal endorsement between Putin and Medvedev, a delicate balancing act will be necessary to manage Putin?s succession in the coming months

Curtain time in Kosovo

After trying to resolve Kosovo’s status, diplomats have given up. The U.S and the EU now need to back the compromise proposed by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and re-affirm the region’s European trajectory.

Russia?s over-managed democracy

Putin?s grand plan may not yet be clear, but most of the likely variants now hinge on how he will use the mandate from Sunday?s election to stage-manage the next vote in March

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.

A month for hard power

There?s a real risk that, in the weeks between now and Christmas, the EU will face violence in either Kosovo, where 15,000 European troops underwrite security, or Lebanon where 8,000 Europeans have made up the backbone of the UN peace force

Ukraine: Finally a new Parliament, but no new government

The new Ukrainian parliament finally assembled on Friday, 23 November, almost two months after the elections. It then immediately adjourned until Thursday 29 November. An update on Ukraine’s complex political developments.