Culture

Gus Jackson and Europe’s Complicated Memory of Michael Jackson

Europe's enduring enthusiasm for Michael Jackson tribute acts shows how the continent continues to separate cultural memory from moral debate in ways that the United States no longer does.

Letters of Power: Turkey’s Alphabet and the New Map of Connection

Language, more than borders, shapes how we identify ourselves. The alphabet we learn as children tells us who we are. For Turkey, redefining those letters is an act not of nostalgia but of future-making.

Religion as Tradition: Romania and the CEE Defy Europe’s Secular Turn

On 26 October 2025, Romania completed the world's largest Orthodox church in Bucharest, revealing how religion and politics still intertwine where tradition remains public.

The Case of a Missing Picasso: Europe’s Art World and the Fragility of Trust

A Picasso vanished between Madrid and Granada in October, exposing how Europe's art world still depends on fragile systems of paper logs and human trust.

The Louvre Robbed of Its Royal Past

Thieves Disguised as Staff Steal Empress Joséphine’s Jewels from the Louvre in Daring Daylight Heist

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Gulf War Dismantles the West’s Russia Sanctions Regime

The Iran war gave Moscow oil revenues, diplomatic standing, and the quiet satisfaction of watching Washington undo four years of sanctions.

Three Forgotten Islands Could Decide the Strait of Hormuz

Iran warned this week that any attack on its Hormuz islands would turn the Gulf bloody, as the UAE signalled it now sees a chance to reclaim them.

Stuttgart Voters Punish Merz as Energy Prices Surge

In the industrial heart of Germany, rising energy costs and a sudden war have triggered a surprise election win that hints voters are reaching a breaking point.

Trump Doubles Down on Regime Change in Cuba 

The White House is placing a risky bet on toppling the regime in Cuba as an expensive war in Iran and a restless electorate threaten GOP 2028.

Great Again: Europe’s Place in the Global Order

Europe’s gas shock reveals cost of hesitation as the US, Russia and China reshape power while the EU struggles to act decisively.