BUDAPEST–These days, as far as Europe is concerned, most eyes are fixed on the discussions about the financial aftershocks of the crisis, namely the debate on Greece. Other aspects, among them the social effects, remain sidelined. Struggling under increased pressure, most decision-makers seem to overlook that in many new member states, there has been a [...]

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In the last video of a four-part series, Russian and European experts discuss the advantages and disadvantages of America playing a stronger role in international affairs.

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WASHINGTON — President Obama scored an historic victory by making health care accessible to almost all Americans. Of course, this victory came at a price. The president was not able to win over a single Republican. Nobody who has witnessed the fierce debate in Congress, the comparisons with Hitler and Stalin, and the tumultuous protests [...]

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In this first video of a four-part series, Russian and European experts analyze U.S. President Obama’s performance from an international perspective.

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BERLIN — The roughly 2.7 million immigrants of Turkish origin in Germany have been at the center of the country’s debate on immigration and integration as long as the debate has existed. Now, almost 50 years after the first Turkish guest workers arrived, a new phenomenon gains attention: University-educated children of those immigrants increasingly leave [...]

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WASHINGTON — “Bush was right” is not a view frequently expressed in the New York Times.   But, there it was, in Thomas Friedman’s March 10 column:   “Former President George W. Bush’s gut instinct that this region craved and needed democracy was always right.” Friedman was referring to the elections that took place this [...]

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WASHINGTON — Israel last week submitted its response to the UN’s Goldstone Report.   That report investigated the conduct of Israel and Hamas during the Gaza war in January 2009, accusing both sides of war crimes.   It recommended resorting to the International Criminal Court if the sides failed to investigate the charges themselves.   [...]

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WASHINGTON — In the early 2000s, the issue of Muslim schoolgirls, teachers, and civil servants wearing headscarves in public institutions and schools was a heated national debate in France and a source of discussion and controversy around the world. In 2009, President Nicholas Sarkozy rekindled the flames of that debate with statements condemning the burqa [...]

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ANKARA — In Turkey, the Swiss referendum banning the building of new minarets is perceived as just another example of Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims.   Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “This decision is primitive, outdated, and manifestation of a Western understanding.” Warning that this decision rings alarm bells, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu added [...]

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WASHINGTON — Recent news story:   a religious minority seeks to construct a building to conform with its faith and architectural traditions.   The majority, of a different faith, denies permission.   Sounds like Switzerland?   In fact, this story comes from the other side of the Atlantic.   Amish residents of Morristown, New York, [...]

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