Insights

  • Europe's growth strategy: All supply and no demand
    Insight by Philip Whyte
    27 February 2012

    Europe's growth performance since 2008 has been abject. The reason is that fiscal policy has done too little to offset the impact of deleveraging in the private sector.

  • Pressure and tact are the right response to Victor Orban
    Insight by Balázs Jarábik
    23 February 2012

    The West should not isolate Hungary's Viktor Orban. While some of his instincts are deeply undemocratic, he is also a pragmatist, capable of adjusting course.

  • Russia is not completely wrong about Syria
    Insight by Edward Burke
    17 February 2012

    The Kremlin may be playing realpolitik and taking pride in blocking the West in Syria, but it has drawn attention to some weaknesses in Western diplomacy.

  • France: Why the self-flagellation?
    Insight by Simon Tilford
    10 February 2012

    France has its economic weaknesses. But in some important respects its model holds out better prospects for a return to economic growth across the eurozone than does Germany's.

  • Greece's real challenge
    Insight by Katinka Barysch
    03 February 2012

    Greece's new bail-out package needs less austerity and more structural reforms. A bloated and immobile public sector remains a drag on growth.

  • Why France is leaving Afghanistan
    Insight by Edward Burke
    02 February 2012

    France has sent a clear message by withdrawing its troops early from Afghanistan: NATO is failing to meet its objectives. The problem lies in Kabul not Paris.

  • The Baltic states and Ireland are not a model for Italy and Spain
    Insight by Simon Tilford
    27 January 2012

    Were Italy and Spain to emulate the Baltics states and Ireland, the implications for the European economy and the future of the euro would be devastating.

  • Is Austria the new Finland?
    Insight by Katinka Barysch
    13 January 2012

    Germany and France tend to pre-cook euro rescue plans. Smaller EU countries resent being sidelined. Slovakia and Finland have threatened vetoes and demanded concessions. Which country is next?