Category Archives: Europe

Ukraine and Russia: Waiting for the Next Phase?

Why Ukraine may be under even more pressure than Russia to Do Something when the ground finally freezes in Ukraine.

Worst of Europe’s Energy Crisis May Be Yet To Come

Just because the weather gods are now smiling on Europe does not mean its energy crunch is over.

Can NATO and the Pentagon Find a Diplomatic Off-Ramp from the Ukraine War?

A piece about NATO’s recent noises re Ukraine sadly reveals how supposedly non-captured, well-meaning activists have lost the plot.

Ukraine: When Will It Reach the End of Its Propaganda Line?

Is Ukraine’s spin getting threadbare?

War Of The Worlds Begins In Your Neighborhood “Because — German Chancellor Merkel Has Just Declared — Russia Was Never Pacified”

It can’t be said often enough how much damage Merkel did by using Minsk as a clever ploy to hurt Russia and worse now admitting to it.

Hoisted from Comments: Rosneft Refinery in Schwedt as a Microcosm of Europe’s Sanctions-Induced Energy Mess

A Rosneft refinery in Germany illustrates how difficult it is to get back to anything resembling status quo ante under sanctions.

The Ukraine Crisis Is a Classic “Security Dilemma”

Some well-meaning but going-nowhere peace ideas for Ukraine.

Russia Says Europe Will Struggle To Replace Its Oil Products

More debate over the impact of Western sanctions on oil price.

NATO’s Ghosts of the Past Return in Kosovo-Serbia

Serbian president says the situation now resembles the “Chekhov’s gun” narrative principle: “If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don’t put it there.”

Cultural Stereotypes of Multinational Banks

Data on banks’ investments in European sovereign debt show that trust importantly influences cross-border investment.

Russia Sitrep of Sorts

Yet again reading the Russia/Ukraine tea leaves.

Monopoly Power vs Democracy – Matt Stoller

A wide-ranging discussion of some of the key mechanisms for exercising power in advaced economies, starting with monopolies.

Bloomberg Describes Europe’s Severe and Sustained Energy Crisis Due to Loss of Russian Gas

Bloomberg is countering the prevaiing cheery narrative that Europe can muddle through its ongoing energy crunch.

Michael Hudson Discusses the Future of Europe and Global Restructuring

Michael Hudson describes how the war with Russia is changing the economic and political order, and not to the advantage of Europe and the US.

Stocks Open Eyes, See Fed Pivot Hawkish; ECB Hike into Recession, Start QT; BoE Hike into Recession; SNB Hike, Sell Foreign Currency Assets

ECB’s assets drop by €800 billion. Mexico hiked too today, way ahead of the Fed, keeps peso from falling against USD.