Geert Wilders ‘Wins’ Dutch Elections

The trend toward hard-right parties continues.

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Stop Trying to Make French Happen

Paris is fighting a losing battle over the prominence of their language.

Unreality in Russia?

And some cable “news” thoughts.

Looking to Poland

Protests against the governing party signal tensions in advance of fall elections.

Far-Right Idiocy in Sweden

Swedish right-wing provocation and Turkish short-sightedness.

From the “You Can’t Make this Stuff Up” File

That time the Nazis made a movie about the Titanic.

Russia Curtails Air Travel for Military Aged Males

As one does when one is confident of one’s policy choices.

Two Great Charles-Related Tweets

You all aren’t getting any serious writing out of me today, obviously.

I Question King Charles III’s Decision-making

I mean, his very first decision…

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Russia-Ukraine War: No End in Sight

The bloody conflict could go on for months, if not years.

Prince Charles Charity Accepted £1m from Bin Laden Family

Some light fundraising whilst waiting for mum to die.

Boris Johnson Resigns as Tory Leader

He plans to hang on as PM through the fall but likely won’t be able to.

Turkey the Country Now Türkiye (Bird Still Turkey)

Our ostensible ally is seeking to rebrand itself.

Finland and Sweden Apply to NATO, Turkey an Obstacle

A diplomatic nightmare brewing since last week is now upon us.

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Institutions Matter, French Edition

How rules shape the game.

Macron Wins Re-Election

The boring moderate beat the neo-Nazi with 58% of the vote.

Voting Underway in French Presidential Runoff

The incumbent should win easily but turnout is low and the consequences dire.

EU Tries to Regulate Social Media

Brussels has gotten ahead of Washington in regulating mostly American-based Internet companies.

NATO Has Been Training Ukrainian Forces for Years

A fascinating report from the WSJ.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on ending the war in Afghanistan, Tuesday, August 31, 2021, in front of the Cross Hall of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden delivers remarks on ending the war in Afghanistan, Tuesday, August 31, 2021, in front of the Cross Hall of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Biden Condemns Russian ‘Genocide’

Whether deliberate or another ‘gaffe,’ he’s likely right.

French Presidential Elections Today

The first round is currently being held.

Russia’s Diplomatic Isolation

The West continues to close Moscow off.

Removing Russia from UN Security Council

It would be fitting but, alas, won’t happen.

Democratic Backsliding and the American Right

The only way to save our freedom is to destroy it.

Ukraine War Widens

The invasion has led to a series of proxy wars.

Acceptable Ukraine End States?

What will Zelensky, Putin, and the West settle for?

Hunter Biden’s Laptop

New evidence changes the story ever so slightly.

‘Freedom Convoy’ Ends in Windsor, Moves to Paris

The anti-vax-and-other-stuff protest is spreading to Europe.

Elections in Germany

Speaking of elections.

US-France Submarine Contretemps

American cheese will henceforth be known as liberté cheese. And not because of the metric system.

It’s Only Champagne if it’s Made in Russia

If it’s made in France, it’s “sparkling wine.”

Some Additional Readings on Hungary (Tab Clearing)

For anyone who might be interested.

“Why do Liberals Hate Orban?” is not the Right Question

The right questions are: 1) why do some some on the right like him, and 2) should this concern us all?

France Increases Vaccinations

And so general discussion of vaccine passports and requirements in the US.

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Britain Nears Herd Immunity

More than 73 percent of Britons will be vaccinated or previously-infected by Monday.

Kosovo President and Opposition Leader Indicted for War Crimes

A reckoning for 2500 Kosovar Serb civilians who were slaughtered is at hand.

Sweden No-Lockdown Plan a Mistake

The architect of the plan admits he was wrong.

What We Don’t Know About COVID-19

Two new studies bring more questions than answers.

Hungary Goes Full Authoritarian

Orban has used Covid-19 to kill whatever vestiges of democracy remained.

UK PM Tests Positive for Covid-19

The PM and the Health Minister have both tested positve.

Prince Charles Has COVID-19

The 71-year-old heir to the British throne has tested positive and is in self-isolation.

Turkey at War with Syria and Europe

President Erdogan is playing a dangerous game.

Polls Show Tories Headed For Big Victory In British Elections

Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party are on course for a big win in December 12th’s General Election.

United Kingdom Sets December 12th Election Date

Brits will head to the polls for the fourth time in four years with the future of Brexit on the ballot.

EU to Grant ‘Flextension’ on Brexit

The UK is being given yet more time to figure out the obvious.

Status Of Brexit Is Clear As Mud As Deadline Nears

With just over two weeks to go until the deadline, the status of Brexit is entirely unclear.

Brexit and the Challenges of Democratic Governance

More on rules and how they matter (plus issues of representation).

Meanwhile, in the UK

Just so we all know it isn’t just the US suffering a crisis of leadership…