Here in Belgium we think that we understand surrealism. But it can still be confusing, it can shock and it can also lead to the discovery of unexpected and unwelcome interpretations that change our view of the world. In my opinion there are four clear outcomes from last Friday’s highly publicised shouting match televised at…
Author: James Wilson
Human Rights Group Welcomes Gabriel Popoviciu’s Final Court Win in Romania
The Brussels-based NGO Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) has welcomed a 15 January 2025 decision by the High Court of Cassation and Justice in Bucharest to uphold a July 2024 decision by the Bucharest Court of Appeal to fully exonerate Gabriel Popoviciu. Romania’s High Court of Justice and Cassation hearing was the final step in…
A Call for European Unity
Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash As the EU faces rising concerns over the possibility of a grand deal between the United States, China, and Russia, there is an increasing fear that Europe and Ukraine could be sidelined in negotiations, potentially forced to bear the financial burden of such an arrangement. This moment calls for…
Israel-EU Relations
Photo by Taylor Brandon on Unsplash It has been claimed that two MEPs and members of the European Parliament administration staff were refused entry to Israel. This, it is also alleged, is despite them travelling as part of an organised mission on behalf of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Palestine. The claims are…
The Russian Orthodox Church
A Tool for Imperial Ambitions and a Growing Threat to Turkey Photo by Valery Tenevoy on Unsplash In the modern world, religion is often not just a spiritual guide but also a powerful tool for political influence. The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) increasingly plays this role, openly supporting the Kremlin’s imperial ambitions. Recent statements…
The Peace Trap
Photo by Max Kukurudziak on Unsplash The war is not over yet; it is simply entering a new phase. A ceasefire is not even on the horizon, and some international players are still trying to trap Ukraine into a quick peace which in reality would mean a temporary respite for Russia and a strategic loss…
Russia’s War of Invasion At Critical Juncture
Photo by Robert Anasch on Unsplash The EU says that Russia’s war against Ukraine is now at a critical moment. The claim, by European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, comes with key talks now under way between the U.S and Russia aimed at stopping the bitter war. Back in Brussels, a meeting was held…
Munich Security Conference 2025
Photo by Nagarjun Kogaravalli Sathyanarayana on Unsplash Munich is once again at the centre of global diplomacy. Within the walls of this German city, the annual security conference takes place, where the world’s future is discussed. However, when turning the pages of history, one cannot help but remember the year 1938 when diplomacy suffered one…
The Imperial Threat
Photo by Jacob Thorson on Unsplash Europe, a continent that has endured centuries of war, change, and struggles for peace, now faces challenges that seem eerily familiar. These challenges come from ideologies disregarding democratic principles, aligning with authoritarianism, and seeking to revive imperialistic narratives. The greatest threat to Europe today is not just external forces…
Support for Ukraine
Photo by Tetiana SHYSHKINA on Unsplash In 2025 the war in Ukraine remains one of the greatest challenges facing the international community, particularly the European Union. While Russia continues its aggression, EU member states are determining their positions on how best to support Ukraine. However, these countries approach the issue of aid and conflict resolution…