Category Archives: Europe

The Cyprus bailout: as low as it gets?

The Cyprus ‘bailout’ announcement marks a new threshold in the ongoing disgrace that we have come to label austerity.  For the first time, the European Union, the IMF and a national government have announced that a levy will be exacted on … Continue reading

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The democratic deficit in action

I’ve always suspected that the European Commission was something of an elite outfit.  But in the last two weeks,  I’ve been granted an unexpected firsthand insight into the Commission’s commitment to democratic debate. This somewhat bizarre episode began a couple … Continue reading

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Greece, Syrian Refugees and the Paradox of Humanitarian Intervention

There was a grim but essential story in last week’s Guardian, on the secret deportations of Syrian refugees by Greek police  across the Evros River border with  Turkey.   The Guardian described how a group of Syrians recently crossed the Evros. … Continue reading

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IPS News Interview on ‘Fortress Europe’

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 28 2012 (IPS) - Along the borders of modern Europe, migrants have much to contend with, ranging from contradictory and confusing national immigration policies to horrific war zones, which these borders areas are slowly becoming. Their stories and … Continue reading

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