Q&A Pre-Election Political Infighting Drives Huge Public Sector Strikes in Portugal The Editors Tuesday, March 19, 2019 Public sector strikes in Portugal have put intense pressure on the government of Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who survived a no-confidence motion last month. This turmoil is largely a result of behind-the-scenes politicking by Portugal’s major political parties, Jorge Fernandes says in an interview.
Q&A After Khashoggi’s Killing, the EU Can’t Stay United on Saudi Human Rights Abuses The Editors Monday, March 18, 2019 Saudi Arabia was rebuked at the U.N. Human Rights Council for the first time earlier this month, in a statement co-signed by all 28 members of the European Union. But that was a rare show of European unity on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, as Julien Barnes-Dacey explains in an interview.
Africa Watch Macron Covers New Ground in East Africa, but France’s Basic Message Is the Same Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, March 15, 2019 French President Emmanuel Macron stressed familiar themes on recent stops in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, underscoring the priorities of a government that has no plans to fundamentally alter its role in Africa. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
Q&A Why the SNC-Lavalin Scandal Is Such a Blow for Canada’s Trudeau The Editors Friday, March 15, 2019 In late February, Canada’s former justice minister testified before a parliamentary committee that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had pressured her to intervene in a criminal case against a prominent engineering firm. In an interview, Christopher Sands explains the scandal’s background and its implications.
As Benin Gears Up for Legislative Elections, the Opposition Is Left Out Robbie Corey-Boulet Thursday, March 14, 2019 Under new rules, only two political parties in Benin are currently allowed to field candidates for legislative elections scheduled for April 28, and both are aligned with President Patrice Talon. Critics say the rules represent an example of how Talon is trying to consolidate power while undermining his rivals.
China Note The EU Recalibrates Its Policy on China, a ‘Systemic Rival’ Benjamin Wilhelm Wednesday, March 13, 2019 A strategy paper released this week by the European Commission represents a recalibration of Brussels’ approach toward China. Over the past two years, China has gone from being hailed as a partner for Europe in preserving the global order to being described as an “economic competitor” that must be confronted.
Q&A Is Pakistan Finally Getting Serious About Cracking Down on Violent Extremists? The Editors Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Pakistani authorities announced last week that they had arrested 44 people affiliated with violent extremist groups. But it is too soon to tell whether this means Islamabad is finally taking meaningful steps to crack down on militant organizations that launch attacks from its territory, says Michael Kugelman.
Q&A Macron Was Spoiling for a Fight With Italy’s Populists, Exposing the EU’s Fissures The Editors Tuesday, March 12, 2019 French President Emmanuel Macron called for reconciliation with Italy last week, after a heated diplomatic spat led France to briefly recall its ambassador. The temperature has since come down, but the war of words reflects a larger battle between EU member states over issues like immigration, says Jan Zielonka.
Q&A In Ghana, Physical Attacks and Other Obstacles Hinder an Independent Press The Editors Monday, March 11, 2019 The first known slaying of a journalist this year took place in Ghana when investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale was gunned down in Accra on Jan. 16. Vivian Affoah discusses Hussein-Suale’s case, the obstacles that Ghanaian journalists face in their work and the evolution of Ghana’s media landscape.
The U.S. Supreme Court Sent a Wake-up Call to Development Banks. Will They Listen? Elliot Waldman Monday, March 11, 2019 Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court found that international development banks can be held liable in American courts for the adverse consequences of projects they back overseas. The decision has some important caveats, but it could force lenders to strengthen their own accountability mechanisms.
Q&A Will the U.K. Abide by the ICJ’s Ruling in the Chagos Islands Dispute? The Editors Friday, March 8, 2019 The International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled last week that the U.K. must cede control over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a victory for a group of Chagossians who were expelled in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for a U.S. military base. Marko Milanovic discusses the many questions the ruling raises.
Africa Watch Is the Latest Peace Deal in the Central African Republic Already Falling Apart? Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, March 8, 2019 A peace deal in the Central African Republic is in jeopardy only a month after it was signed. Several armed groups said they were pulling out of the peace process over objections to a new government announced Sunday. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
