International Comment
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Almost
every day we hear that the West is to blame for Africa’s problems. However, every day we hear
the only solution is more European Union (EU) aid is needed for sub-Saharan Africa, despite the
EU spending some € 13.5 billion over the last five years in development aid. There are many
theories as to why foreign aid policy has failed in Africa. It certainly worked in South-East
Asia which has transformed these economies into economic tigers. Such theories that try to
explain why sub-Saharan Africa remains stubbornly poor could fill many shelves in a library.
Such theories as to why Africa has failed range from poor leadership to the terms of trade
being unfair to developing countries. http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/Africa-the-continent-that-keeps-failing.html
British
Forces and their European Allies in Southern Afghanistan’s, Helmand Province, are part of
NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). As of September 2007, the number of UK
troops has risen to 7,700 troops. The security situation in Helmand is fragile and military
forces have suffered casualties when fighting Al-Qaeda terrorists and their allies. Troops have
experienced the most intense fighting since the Korean War. The ISAF mission is often described
as a police action to establish security and deny the Taliban and Al Qaeda the environment in
which to operate. http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/Britain-in-Afghanistan.html
Europe's Turkish Dilemma?
Politicians are again in
the 'line of fire' again opinion polls inside Europe and Turkey are reporting declining support
for the very idea that Ankara should join the European Union (EU) by 2015. In fact, opponents
on both sides of the Aegean Sea utilise many of the same arguments in their case against Turkey
joining as Europe’s first predominately Moslem Middle Eastern state. http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/Europe's-turkish-Dilemma.html
Where does Europe end - is a question of growing concern to many
Europeans, especially with the entry of Bulgaria and Rumania, and the prospect of Turkey’s
entry, in 2012.This vital political question was the topic under discussion at a recent
European Studies Centre seminar at Oxford University, led by Graham Avery (Honorary Director
General, European Commission) and Baskin Oran (University of Ankara). http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/THE-END-OF-EUROPE.html
‘Champagne sir?’ the
waitress said, startling the passengers seated around the table in business class as the
Eurostar dashed through the Kent countryside for the Channel Tunnel Conversations of current
events on most railway journeys with fellow passengers are often desultory and seldom profound.
Such was not the case on my recent journey by Eurostar to Brussels where a wide range of
differing opinions were expressed by cosmopolitan fellow travellers and enlivened by a first
class menu and lubricated by an excellent vintage. http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/A-Eurostar-tale.html
Could it be we are all desperately seeking are own vision of Europe? To
the British, Brussels has become a figure of hate, for the Germans, a place to redeem
themselves. However, for the French, a chance to relieve its Napoleonic dreams, while for the
new member states, an opportunity to grow up. http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/Are-we-seeking-our-own-Eurovision.html
On June 10th Europe will see the latest addition to its high- speed rail
network, when the first phase of TGV Est. opens to passenger service. This new service will
dramatically cut journey times between Paris, Eastern France, Luxembourg, Switzerland and
Germany.
http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/TGV-EST-European.html
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