India hosted the G20 Summit of the world’s 20 largest economies on September 9-10, rebranding itself under its new (old) name, Bharat, the traditional Hindu name for the country. It is not the first G20 country to be rebaptized in the wake of cultural nationalism. Turkey recently officially submitted its new international name as Turkiye. The counterpoint is interesting. Emerging…
Europe is falling short as a single strategic actor and French President Emmanuel Macron never misses the opportunity to remind us. Sometimes in a barely diplomatic way. His recent statements have provoked intense controversy and debate. It was not so much their content as the use of specific words such as “vassal” and “follower,” which he used to define what…
In recent weeks France has been shaken by constant and violent demonstrations. The reason is the increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64. The reform is highly unpopular but is key to Emmanuel Macron’s program, and what he was elected upon as president. It was not voted through in parliament, but Macron pushed it through by decree, as…
Behind the horrors of war, amidst successive international crises, a favorable reality for Europe (and Greece) is quietly unfolding. What was once a factor of division and weakness for the European Union is now a pillar of unity and strength. The euro, at the heart of the EU’s first major crisis of the 21st century, has evolved from a weak…
The European Union currently represents less than 6% of the world’s population. Its share will have shrunk to 4.5% by 2050. In purchasing power parity terms, the EU27 will have fallen from 16% of global GDP today to 9% in 2050. The world’s two largest economies in 2050 will likely be China and India, with the US in third place.…