The Cologne assaults on New Year's Eve have sparked debate over Germany's policy towards refugees. Lara Sierra-Rubia explores how the assaults are likely to cause the German government to implement more stringent immigration policies.
Virtual kidnappings pose an emerging threat in 2016 following changes in UK and US ransom policy, writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.
Despite claims by the media that the recent directive on kidnappings legalises privateransom payments to terrorist groups in the US, it seems that the policy has sidestepped the issue, writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.
The series of attacks in France in early January underscores the complex threat of terrorism in Europe, with overseas Islamist extremist groups' calls for further attacks likely to be taken up by a ‘leaderless resistance', writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.
While the European Union agreed to a new refugee quota system in September 2015, the agreement is unlikely to resolve the ongoing crisis as resistance from several member states still presents barriers to coordinated and decisive action, writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.
Police shootings of unarmed African Americans have increased demands for sweeping reforms in police departments across the US. However, several obstacles have resulted in piecemeal reforms that are unlikely to ease tensions between minority communities and police, writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.
The Syriza-led government's recent agreement to negotiate another debt bailout will entail further austerity measures and reforms that will result in internal party divisions and weakened public support for the government, writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.
Increasing support for populist far-right ideals in Germany stemming from cultural, economic and political insecurities within the middle class are likely to influence Bundestag policy, writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.