An alternative to Brussels or a changing state? 
By Adri
Why Madrid and Paris Are Growing Closer 
By Sagrario Morán (for Safe Democracy)
Sagrario Morán writes on how Sarkozy’s victory will be good for the PP, bad for the PSOE, and important in bringing Madrid and Paris closer in their cooperation against the terrorism of ETA and Al Qaeda.
By Martin Varsavsky
Martin Varsavsky analyzes the recent surge of neo-Nazism in Russia and highlights the irony that many people in Russia, the country hit hardest by the Nazi regime in the Second World War, are now adopting that same fascist ideology. Varsavsky offers that a main cause for this phenomenon is a European identity crisis that has particularly affected Russia, where a lack of options has left a sector of young people vulnerable to this violent and xenophobic movement.
The future of France depends on the center
By Miguel Angel Benedicto (for Safe Democracy)
Miguel Angel Benedicto analyzes the Presidential elections now in their second round in France. As the conservative Nicolas Sarkozy competes with lefitist Segolene Royal for the Presidency, the victor will depend heavily on the votes of the 18 percent of the electorate who supported centrist Francois Bayrou. In Benedicto’s opinion, whoever wins will have to deal with economic recession, and carry out the necessary reforms to help France recover from the impasse that has been slowing its growth since 1997.
Changes in the Russian Security Agenda
Reconsidering relations between Moscow, Washington, and Brussels
By Rafael Calduch Cervera, 17th April 2007
Rafael Calduch Cervera explains the transformation of the Russian security agenda, culminating in Putin’s speech at the 43rd International Security Policy Conference in which he promised to oppose the unilateral hegemony of the United States when necessary to preserve Russia’s best interests. In Calduch Cervera’s opinion, the current President of the United States transformed the history of past multilateral action by unilaterally invading Iraq, and Russia has followed suit, transforming its security agenda on all fronts. The Western powers must take Putin’s statement very seriously in order to uphold good relations with Russia for the greater stability of Europe and the world.
Anemia in the European Union
How to overcome the reigning skepticism and dissatisfaction
By Luis Méndez Asensio, 17th April 2007
Luis Méndez Asensio considers that despite its relative youth, the European Union is beginning to show signs of exhaustion: attachment to sovereignty, slowing of the economy, the regression of the welfare state, and conflict between its members. In Méndez Asensio’s opinion, the only solution for a weakening union is the revitalization of its foundations, involving the citizenry of Europe in the progress and woes of the entire community.
An assertion invoking the (re)definitions of the political spectrum and sovereignty 
By Ricardo Israel Z. (for Safe Democracy)
Ricardo Israel Z. explains why Europe can be content and very satisfied with what they have accomplished in 50 years, but nothing indicates that she is ready for a European Army. A common army is a complicated assertion involving political definitions and a different view of sovereignty as well as strategic, economic and logistical elements. Israel Z. believes that without its own military force, the European Union will have a difficult time being taken seriously as a world power.
What is the Jihadist Terror Threat in Spain?
Al-Qaeda and the Re-conquest of Andalusia
By Adrián Mac Liman, 3rd April 2007
Adrián Mac Liman writes that Spanish intelligence services have abundant reason to be concerned about another Jihadist attack because of the Ayaman al Zawahiri’s latest message to the West. The advance of radical Islam in Magreb, just kilometres away from Europe, stands as a growing source of possible confrontation. Mac Liman writes that Jihadism does not always follow Al-Qaeda, however, and the real question to be asked is: Does the Muslim world actually want to re-conquer Andalusia?
From California to Vladivostok 
Por Rafael Calduch Cervera (para Safe Democracy)
Rafael Calduch analyzes the dispute surrounding Turkey’s membership to the European Union, drawing parallels to the expansion of NATO. In Calduch Cervera’s opinion, while both are drawing upon the need to consolidate the geopolitical borders of Europe, the EU’s growth tends towards restrictive criteria, while NATO’s is based upon expansionist criteria. Calduch Cervera reflects on the changing energy market, the EU’s need to juggle both Washington and Moscow, and the changing nature of Europe’s security borders.
