ARTICLES
Islamic State Capabilities in Europe
The Brussels attacks confirm that the Islamic State has been working with European networks of operatives, and the continent remains vulnerable, writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.
The Brussels attacks confirm that the Islamic State has been working with European networks of operatives, and the continent remains vulnerable, writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.
The migrant crisis in Europe has prompted several EU states to raise controls at their internal borders, undermining a borderless Europe promised by the Schengen Agreement. Amid increasing pressure on Europe's boundaries, Lara Sierra-Rubia assesses the potential costs associated with suspending the agreement.
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.
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.
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.
A ‘Yes' vote on Scottish independence would have had damaging consequences for security in both Scotland and the UK. While a further devolution of powers is inevitable, negotiators are wise to leave defence off the table, writes Rachel Hankey.
The EU elections in May will likely reflect the increasing popularity of Eurosceptic parties on both the extreme right and left wings of the political spectrum, leading to a heightened risk of violent protest and social unrest as mainstream parties are forced to take a harder line on issues such as immigration, writes Rachel Hankey.