Return of the Czech Communists Vaclav Havel is turning over in his grave
A Sinister Trend in Publishing Saudi Arabia, a country in which book clubs are required to register for government licenses, is not known for its literary culture. Associating the Land of the Two Holy Mosques—ranked as the eighth “Most Censored Country” in the world this year by the Committee to Protect Journalists—with a thriving literature scene seems comical, if not...
Russia's Victory in Georgia On Monday, voters in the former Soviet republic of Georgia went to the polls in what international observers have called the country’s most competitive and credible election in history. The results took most international observers by surprise, as the opposition Georgian Dream coalition, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, won an upset victory over the ruling...
In Defeat, Georgia's President Confounds His Critics TBILISI, Georgia — The results are in. The party of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has lost the parliamentary election. And, in what is perhaps the biggest surprise of all, Saakashvili has conceded without a fuss. His United National Movement lost parliamentary elections Monday to the opposition Georgian Dream coalition 55 percent to 40 percent, with...
Georgia's Electoral Showdown TBILISI, Georgia — To appreciate the level of political polarization in Georgia — which held nationwide parliamentary elections Monday — take the case of a 10-month-old girl found drowned Sunday evening in a wine jug. Late Sunday night, reports surfaced that Barbare Rapaliani, an infant from the village of Kolagi, had gone missing. “We were...
Wrong Way Down the Danube How Hungary's Democratic Backsliding Threatens Europe
Meet Europe's New Fascists Hungary’s far-right activists used to rally in the streets. Now they’re in parliament, where their party, Jobbik, is stoking hatred of Jews and Roma.
Brush With Controversy The Czech Republic debates artistic freedom—again.