By Andrew MacDowall
20 Jan 2012 |
Briefing
With anti-government protests in Romania moving into their second week, demonstrators are showing a persistence unusual for this part of the world, underscoring the importance they have placed in calling attention to their grievances. The woes that have brought Romanians to the streets are familiar to many in Eastern Europe, leading some to suggest that this is the European incarnation of the Arab Spring.
By Andrew MacDowall
27 Oct 2011 |
Briefing
With the global spotlight focused on the European Union’s ongoing debt crisis, the European Commission’s recently issued reports on the progress Western Balkan countries are making toward accession may seem marginal. But for these nations, the achievement of EU membership is an essential goal. As the reports indicate, this goal is still a long way off, even in the best-case scenarios.
By Andrew MacDowall
26 Oct 2011 |
Briefing
The European Union's recent progress reports on the Western Balkan countries mark the latest stage in a long process designed to bring a region devastated by post-Communist conflict into the European fold. The EU's influence on the Balkans has certainly been positive, drawing the countries away from conflict and toward reconciliation and reform. But progress has been patchy and inconsistent.
By Andrew MacDowall
27 May 2011 |
Briefing
The arrest of Ratko Mladic offers Europe some closure on a horrific
period of its recent history, and is a substantial boost for Serbia and
its president, Boris Tadic. But obstacles remain for Serbia on its
long journey back to the European family. The first reactions to Mladic's capture have been of relief
and satisfaction that he will at last be brought to justice. The air of finality, however, may be deceptive.
By Andrew MacDowall
07 Jan 2011 |
Briefing
Just days after winning a plurality in the country's first post-independence general elections, Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci was accused of a litany of gruesome offenses, while the December elections have themselves provoked controversy. Almost three years after its declaration of independence, backed by the
U.S. and many of its allies, Kosovo is the object of increasing concern
for the international community.
By Andrew MacDowall
08 Oct 2010 |
Briefing
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina -- Bosnia's elections on Sunday offered little reason to expect
any normalization for the divided country in the near future. Ethnic Serbs re-elected leaders who have called for
independence, while many Croats backed parties
supporting further division along national lines. Despite a rise in
support for moderate parties, these nationalists may impede reforms envisaged by the international community.
By Andrew MacDowall
19 Nov 2009 |
World Politics Review
After years as a sidelined figure on the European political stage, Serbia is now attracting growing attention from both West and East. While continuing to line up its bid for European Union membership, Serbia is also the focus of Russia's renewed interest in the Balkans. For the time being, Serbia's canny government is strengthening its own position through what amounts to a balancing act.
By Andrew MacDowall
06 Feb 2009 |
World Politics Review
SOFIA, Bulgaria -- The gas is back on in Sofia, but Bulgarian
Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev is still feeling the political chill.
Increasingly out of favor in Brussels and frozen out by fair weather
friends in Moscow, Stanishev's government also faced the wrath of street protestors in recent weeks. It was an
inauspicious start to a year that could be crucial
in reinvigorating the country's reform process and restoring relations
with its European partners.