Franco-Malian offensive frees Timbuktu as the last major Mali town held by jihadi militias, but French moves handing over campaign against al-Qaeda allies in Mali to African forces raise doubts about future success.
Europe
Spain Is Disgusted With Corruption But Can Anything Be Done About It?
Spain’s economic boom bolstered corruption but such opaque practices have made all parties and a host of politicians targets for criticism and prosecution
France Celebrates Return of Convicted Kidnapper From Mexican Prison
Mexico’s Supreme Court frees Florence Cassez after seven years in prison for a 2007 kidnapping conviction that justices ruled was flawed by rights violations. Could that be the start of deep judicial reform in Mexico?
Out of Europe? U.K.’s Cameron Pledges Referendum on E.U. Membership
If coverage of David Cameron’s dramatic, pivotal speech on Britain and the European Union seems grudging, that may in part reflect the extraordinary sequences of mishaps and misadventures that preceded it. Early plans to hold …
Entombing the Tomb of the Gladiator: Who Will Save the Roman Ruins?
Italy is running out of money to preserve the remains of the Roman Empire
50 Years After Landmark Treaty, Can France and Germany Save Europe?
Ceremonies marking the 1963 Franco-German partnership pale in comparison to U.S. presidential inaugurations, but they mark an alliance credited with driving the E.U. — and the euro — toward greater stability and prosperity
The Malian Front: France Wins First Round of the War, but Now What?
Why Europe’s Healthiest Economy Has Its Worst Drug Problem
Estonia is an economic powerhouse — with more than 8% growth in 2011 — but it has a dreadful statistic has well: the highest number of per capita drug deaths in Europe
Algeria’s Hostage Crisis: Did the Jihadists Have Inside Help?
As death toll in Algerian hostage attack grows, security officials examine Europe’s exposure to terror by al Qaeda-lined groups vowing revenge against France and the West for military intervention in Mali’s jihad.
In Mali’s Shadow: A Short History of French Military Mishaps in Africa
The French are not cheese-eating surrender monkeys. That’s an old canard—you know, a French word—sealed by unfortunate performances in the World Wars. But, as France’s robust recent intervention into Mali shows, …
Algeria’s Hostage Crisis: What Was Behind a Shadowy Militant Leader’s Plot?
As the Algerian hostage drama neared day four confusion remained high, information tight, and speculation about multiple motives behind the terror strike emerge
Belfast’s Flag Protests Stir Up Troubles Old and New
For nearly seven weeks, protesters wrapped in British flags have taken to Belfast’s streets. Anger has erupted in the Northern Ireland capital ever since a group of city-council politicians decided on Dec. 3 to restrict the …
Westerners Kidnapped in North Africa — but Is France the Real Target?
Less than a week into France’s military intervention against Islamist militias in Mali, evidence builds confirming French concerns that their country has become the main focus of jihadi terrorist activity