Europe

  For more than two decades, the EU–Mercosur agreement remained out of reach—endlessly negotiated, periodically revived, and repeatedly declared dead. Since its launch in 1999, it has weathered financial crises, political shifts, and environmental disputes on both sides of the Atlantic. If finally implemented, it would unite the European Union and the Mercosur bloc—Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay—into […]

  The United Kingdom’s prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, visited Beijing last week, leading a delegation of top British business people for meetings with President Xi Jinping. The prime minister stated “China matters,” leaving room for interpretation. A similar visit was carried out by French President Emmanuel Macron in December, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz […]

  Born from the wreckage of World War II, the European welfare state promised citizens economic security, social justice, solidarity and dignity. And for over half a century, it largely delivered. As Europe rebuilt, generous social protection systems went hand in hand with booming economies. Healthcare, pensions, family support, unemployment benefits and a wide range […]

  Growing up as a Catholic in the Netherlands, in my formative years between childhood and adulthood, I witnessed the seemingly irreversible process of secularization and the increasing de-Christianization of European society. I never expected in my lifetime to see the halt of those developments or their reversal. Yet this is what I am seeing […]

  Advent should be a peaceful time in expectation of Christmas, the season of love and peace, and the turn of the year. Yet not only during Advent, but actually the entire year 2025 was overshadowed by wars, which is culminating now at the year’s end. The most terrible tragedy is happening in Sudan, but conflicts […]