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Europe

Sweden

Romania

Austria

The Romanian and EU flags are seen at the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in February 2017.

Economics

Politics

Pushback from other EU members is impeding Bucharest's bid to join the passport-free zone, which would have both economic and political consequences for the country.

The Risks of Romania's Protracted Accession to the EU's Schengen Area

France

Greece

United Kingdom

Italy

Passengers from London arrive at a Eurostar terminal in Paris on Dec. 16, 2021, before France imposed new travel restrictions to and from the United Kingdom in response to the omicron variant of COVID-19. 

Environment, Science & Technology

European Disintegration

Tourism and hospitality sectors will again be hit hardest, as governments prioritize protecting manufacturing and supply chains over business and leisure travel.

In Europe, Omicron Fears Spur More Travel Bans and Lockdowns

COVID-19

Supply Chains

The Fate of the Eurozone

Assessments

Guidance

Chile

Venezuela

China

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, during an official welcoming Oct. 15, 2019, in the Emirati capital's Al-Watan presidential palace. Mohammed will possibly meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Nov. 24 

Southeast Asia: Burdened by Consensus

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended Stratfor articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Lockdowns Return to Europe, an Emirati-Turkish Meeting

Venezuela's Unraveling

United States

Cyprus

Netherlands

Egypt

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez speaks during a rally in Merlo, Argentina, on Nov. 11, 2021, ahead of the country’s upcoming midterm elections. 

Military & Security

The Weekly Rundown: Midterm Elections in Argentina, a Virtual Biden-Xi Summit

U.S.-China Relations

Columns

On Security

Germany

Norway

Saudi Arabia

Emergency personnel on Oct. 31, 2020, in Lyon, France, at the scene of an attack on a Greek Orthodox priest. The continual reemergence of the Mohammed cartoon controversy suggests that this issue will remain an issue that motivates violence for years to come.

The Jihadist Wars

The continual reemergence of the Mohammed cartoon controversy suggests that this issue will remain an issue that motivates violence for years to come.

How Satirical Cartoons Have Become a Flashpoint for Violence in Europe and Abroad

French President Emmanuel Macron (center) arrives at the Spanish border in Le Perthus, France, after he announced that the number of border guards would be doubled to 4,800 from 2,400 "because of the worsening of the threat" from terrorism on Nov. 5, 2020.

Additional cross-border attacks in Europe could increase pressure on governments to abolish, or at least suspend, the Continent's passport-free Schengen area. 

France Pushes to Tighten Europe’s Borders Amid Terrorist Attacks

Security

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Czech Republic

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Bulgaria

Croatia

Poland

Slovakia

Slovenia

Hungary

Russia

A satellite image shows Europe at night.

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The move shows the White House remains committed to its security and economic engagements in the region, with an eye on countering China and Russia. 

The U.S. Ramps Up Financial Support to Central and Eastern Europe

The New Silk Road

Denmark

Finland

Spain

The watering down of initial proposals for the COVID-19 relief package shows that fault lines within the bloc still run deep and will continue to create problems during future crises.

The EU Reaches a Landmark Recovery Fund Deal, but Divisions Remain

Brexit

Iran

Israel

India

This aerial picture taken on April 25, 2020, shows the Hagia Sophia museum in Istanbul, Turkey. 

India's Own Worst Enemy

The Weekly Rundown: Turkey Converts the Hagia Sophia, Indian Doctors Threaten to Strike Over COVID-19 Conditions

Israel's Survival Strategy

Turkey's Resurgence

Hong Kong SAR, China

Vietnam

Riot police wear face masks, as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, as they carry out a crowd dispersal operation in a shopping mall during a protest by pro-democracy supporters in the town of Shatin in Hong Kong on May 1, 2020.

The Weekly Rundown: Watching for a Reemergence of COVID-19, and of Hong Kong Protests

2020 Second-Quarter Forecast

Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.

<p>To the west of Eurasia lays Europe, a region predisposed to division. It is surrounded on nearly all sides by islands and peninsulas that make it difficult for Europe to cohere. The northern half of the continent, moreover, sits on a plain whose short, meandering rivers tend to empower countries without forcing them to work with others. The southern half is situated on more mountainous terrain that has historically impeded the creation of strong, unified economies. As a result, Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.</p>

Without the U.K.'s contributions, the bloc will have to make do with less, setting the stage for squabbles over spending.

The EU's Regional Blocs Butt Heads on the Budget

Algeria

Morocco

Tunisia

Energy

The energy ministries of Austria, Germany and Italy signed a joint letter supporting the designation of a hydrogen pipeline called the "SouthH2 Corridor" as a European Union Project of Common Interest, which would enable the project to receive public funds and fast-tracked permits, Reuters reported on May 9.

EU: Push for Hydrogen Pipeline Will Aid Bloc's Energy Transition

Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said the European Union should consider granting neighboring states such as Ukraine rapid access to "parts of the common market" and to some EU institutions and programs as they seek full membership in the bloc, the Financial Times reported May 1.

Austria, Ukraine: Vienna Calls for 'Creative' Ways to Grant Kyiv Access to EU Institutions

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced that his government opposed granting Ukraine EU candidate status and said the European Union should instead offer Kyiv "another path" forward in its relationship with the 27-member bloc, RFE/RL reported April 23.

Ukraine, Austria: Vienna Opposes Granting Ukraine EU Candidate Status

The Austrian government announced a lockdown starting Nov. 22 that will last for a maximum of 20 days, and vaccination against COVID-19 will be mandatory for all Austrians starting February 2022, Deutsche Welle reported Nov. 19. 

Austria: Full Lockdown and Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination

 France, Italy, Spain, Austria and the United Kingdom agreed with the United States to withdraw their digital services taxes to make way for the implementation of the global tax reform recently agreed to at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Reuters reported Oct. 21.

U.S.: European Countries Agree to Remove Digital Services Taxes

Cyber

The CIA recalled its highest-ranking official in Vienna, Austria, in part due to what some agency officials considered an insufficient response to cases of Havana Syndrome, an illness believed to be caused by some type of microwave weapon,  The Washington Post reported Sept. 23.

U.S., Austria: CIA Recalls Vienna Station Chief as Havana Syndrome Cases Rise

Indonesia

Japan

New Zealand

South Korea

China in Transition

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

Indonesia’s trade minister said the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal between China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will likely be signed on Nov. 15, Reuters reported Nov. 10. 

Asia Pacific: RCEP Trade Deal Likely to Be Signed Nov. 15

Austrian police have arrested 14 people and raided 18 properties possibly linked to an overnight shooting in Vienna described by authorities as an “Islamic terror attack,” which killed four people and injured at least 22 more, Reuters reported Nov. 3. 

Austria: Police Arrest 14 Additional Suspects in Vienna Shooting

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Luxembourg

South Sudan

A view of the Register in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Angola

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Bahrain

Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources.

Barbados

Benin

Maldives

Malta

Belize

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

North Macedonia

Tajikistan

Bhutan

Bolivia

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Iraq

The President palace in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The administrative center of the Gakh region of Azerbaijan, located at the foot of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, on the river Kurhumchai.

Brazil

Burundi

Nepal

Cameroon

Canada

Georgia

Jordan

Pakistan

Mir Castle in the Minsk region of Belarus.

Cabo Verde

Federated States of Micronesia

Kuwait

Liechtenstein

Sri Lanka

Central African Republic

Colombia

Fiji

Lebanon

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Chad

Costa Rica

Libya

Comoros

Cuba

A horse grazes in front of Kara-Kul lake in the Chon-Ak-Suu valley, 300 kilometers southeast of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Cote d'Ivoire

Dominica

Kiribati

Moldova

Oman

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

Laos

Palestinian Territories

Djibouti

Ecuador

Holy See (Vatican City)

Malaysia

Qatar

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Marshall Islands

Eritrea

Grenada

Mongolia

A landlocked country in Central Europe, Austria's two main geographic features are the Alps - which give the country its mountainous landscape - and the Danube river - which flows through Austria's north on its way to the Black Sea. An important avenue for Austrian trade with Central and Eastern Europe, the Danube also runs through the country's capital city of Vienna.     Austria has traditionally been a Central European power, with areas of influence ranging from the Carpathians in the east to the Balkans in the south. From the 13th to the early 20th century, the Austrian Habsburg monarchy was a major political player in Europe. Though the Allies occupied Austria after World War II, the country managed regain full independence in 1955 after declaring neutrality. This allowed Vienna to position itself as bridge between the Soviet Union and the West during the Cold War. To this day, Austria remains a meeting point for world leaders and contains the headquarters of many international organizations.    Though Austrian influence over European affairs has diminished significantly since the end of the Hapsburg monarchy, the country joined the European in 1995 and still considers itself an interlocutor between Eastern and Western Europe. Austria has sought to rebuild its traditional sphere of influence over the territories that were once part of its empire, particularly through investment. As an export-oriented country, Austria is supportive of the European Union as long as it creates opportunities for trade and investment. However, Austria is not a founding member of the European project and is skeptical of the process of EU integration. Austria's main geopolitical challenge is therefore to preserve ties with its neighbors without jeopardizing its national sovereignty. 

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Belgium

How Will EU Industrial Policy Evolve Through Mid-2024?

SITUATION REPORTS

EU: Push for Hydrogen Pipeline Will Aid Bloc's Energy Transition

Austria, Ukraine: Vienna Calls for 'Creative' Ways to Grant Kyiv Access to EU Institutions

Ukraine, Austria: Vienna Opposes Granting Ukraine EU Candidate Status

Austria: Full Lockdown and Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination

U.S.: European Countries Agree to Remove Digital Services Taxes

U.S., Austria: CIA Recalls Vienna Station Chief as Havana Syndrome Cases Rise

Asia Pacific: RCEP Trade Deal Likely to Be Signed Nov. 15

Austria: Police Arrest 14 Additional Suspects in Vienna Shooting

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