What a difference two days make, especially in the tumultuous life of Republican Congresswoman and former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann.
On Wednesday, May 9, Bachmann [no relation to the article’s author] announced …
E.U.
Must-Reads from Around the World, May 11, 2012
Fruit Flare-Up – China’s turned to a new weapon in its dispute with the Philippines over contested South China Sea islands. State-run People’s Daily gleefully reports that “fruit from the Philippines will receive stricter …
The Prime Minister and the Spin Doctor: Andy Coulson Appears Before Leveson Inquiry
Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron has already admitted that he, along with many politicians across parties, has gotten far too close to the press. It’s an honest statement but, unfortunately for his credibility, it …
Must-Reads from Around the World, May 10, 2012
Pakistani Push-back – In an interview with the Guardian, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani insists his country did not shelter Osama bin Laden and blames global intelligence shortcomings for allowing the late al-Qaeda …
Queen’s Speech the Latest Installment of U.K. Government’s “Coalition Fightback”
On May 4, as it became clear that a resurgent Labour Party had made significant gains at the expense of Britain’s coalition government during nationwide elections, critics began to throw stones at Prime Minister David Cameron. …
Must-Reads Around the World, May 9, 2012
Warring Words – China’s state-run Global Times issues its most threatening commentary yet on the continuing standoff with the Philippines over disputed islands in the South China Sea. Under the headline “Peace Will Be a Miracle …
Meet Valérie Trierweiler, France’s Unmarried ‘First Lady’
A brief introduction to the woman accompanying President-elect François Hollande to Élysée Palace later this month
Who Is François Hollande? What You Need to Know About France’s Next President
Most of the world now knows François Hollande as the man who won France’s May 6 presidential election, and in so doing made incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy the nation’s first single-term head of state in 31 years. Many people have …
Must-Reads from Around the World, May 8, 2012
Late-Night Surprise – Israel’s Haaretz reports on the unexpected agreement early Tuesday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition Kadima Party chairman Shaul Mofaz to form a national unity government. The move …
Must-Reads from Around the World, May 7, 2012
Eyes on Berlin – Germany’s Der Spiegel assesses the impact of François Hollande’s victory in the French presidential election Sunday on Chancellor Angela Merkel. “[She] can’t be pleased… but it will at least be bearable for …
After Winning the French Presidency, What Will François Hollande Do Next?
Though it’s an obvious cliché (and one that has already been used here in a related story last autumn), winning the Elysée may have been the easy part for French president-elect François Hollande. Given the severity of the …
France Election: Socialist Hollande Defeats Sarkozy for Presidency
France was poised for major change Sunday night when Socialist candidate François Hollande looked set to beat conservative incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in runoff balloting for France’s presidency. Initial results revealed at 8 …
Boris Johnson Takes London, But Resurgent Labour Wins Big Nationally
Boris Johnson has won his second term as London mayor, defeating challenger Ken Livingstone in a battle that proved far closer than pollsters had anticipated. The loose-lipped incumbent, known for his bumbling as much as his politics, did not secure an outright majority during the first round of voting. But accounting for second …