war
Dutch government fails over Afghanistan
The grand coalition government in the Netherlands collapsed on the weekend after it was unable to reach a consensus on prolonging the operations in Afghanistan. The Spanish, Dutch and Belgian press write that although this won't prompt other states to withdraw their troops from the country, it may give the right-wing populists a boost in new Dutch elections
Dismantled: five myths about Kosovo
On 17 February, Europe’s youngest country celebrates its second anniversary. Presumably, most still wouldn't find Kosovo on a map. We regularly read about its soldiers, organised crime and demand for visas. Two roommates in Prishtina – a Kosovar and a German – share their most striking and basic common observations
war, nightlife, documentary, religion, economy, travel, film festival
Staff Benda Bilili, voice of the voiceless in Congo
‘We're all handicapped people, ain't we?’ runs their myspace byline. After more than a month of touring through Europe, this group of paraplegic street musicians from Kinshasa left crowds elated and bewildered almost a year after releasing their debut album Très Très Fort, courtesy of Belgian producer Vincent Kenis of Congotronics fame. A French documentary on the group has been underway for seven years
war, documentary, bands, disable people, discrimination, culture calendar, staff benda bilili
Olga Rodríguez: 'Journalists tend to be very individualistic'
On a famed terrace close to Madrid’s Palacio Real (Royal Palace) at nightfall, the 34-year-old Spanish award-winning journalist talks about two of her passions, the Middle East and journalism
war, middle east, european media, iraq, journalism, brunch, iraq war
Eastern European desire for rearmament
Both central and eastern European governments vocally supported US plans to install military defence systems in the region, even if it meant they were to all intents and purposes digging their own graves. Out of authentic and hypothesised shadows of the past and uncertainties on the future, militarisation secrets and desires are emerging
Young Europeans remember 9/11
It’s eight years since the attacks which killed 2, 752 people, destroyed the World Trade Centres and damaged the Pentagon on 11 September 2001. The cafebabel.com editorial team share their memories from across the waters on the event which shaped America and the world today
war, reaction, germany, poland, aeroplane, new york, terrorism
Vjollca Dibra on being a young poetess in pre-war Kosovo
The thirtysomething works at OSCE logistics in Pristina when I meet her in late 2007, four months before Kosovo declares independence from Serbia. Who you might brand your average blonde, bespectacled working mother-of-two is also one of Kosovo's youngest recognised female poets
Nicolai Lilin talks tattoos, Bulgarians and Transdniestria
From Russia to Italy via Transdniestria. Siberian Education, the literary debut of Nicolai Lilin, tells the life story of a young man who, in spite of changing country and culture, has never forgotten the historic traditions of his original community. Interview with the 29 year-old writer and tattoo artist
war, russian federation, tattoo, best of cafebabel.com, immigration, interview, traditions
All's fair in love and war
The stories of lovers from times of war are the subject of countless numbers of books and films. Why are love and war so fascinating and why are they always shown together? Tour of Europe's expressions
European citizenship saves me from a Polish train fine
A debate over European law over Polish law kicks off in Gdansk, bringing a chance meeting with a Chechnyan heading to Warsaw. Conversations in the east
war, poland, train, international laws, students, chechnya, politics
Baby soldiers and peacekeeping in Kosovo: why choose the army?
Tomi, a lively and remarkably blond 24-year-old Finn, speaks candidly about the six months he spent in Kosovo as a volunteer in the NATO-UN peacekeeping campaign. Along with 105 other young compatriots, among them four girls, he was deployed to the Balkans to serve for the UN
war, balkans, testimony, peacekeeping, esercito, nato, finland
Kosovo declared independence one year ago. Is the region really destabilised?
As the authority of the world’s newest country moved to the EU, Belgrade asks the international community for a role in shaping Kosovo's future. But there are signs that the government would like to put the issue aside
war, pristina, belgrade, independence, candidate countries, serbia, minority
The Reader: Germany’s Nazi past a festival highlight
Stephen Daldry's stirring film is an attempt to ethically approach taking responsibility for the Holocaust crimes which is ingeniously intertwined with the story of ill-fated love. The phenomenal Kate Winslet picked up a BAFTA on 8 February to add to her Golden Globe for her role as Hanna Schmitz
war, cinema, berlin, stephen daldry , kate winslet, actors, berlinale
Israel-Palestine in Italian eyes
On 2 February, president Mahmoud Abbas cancelled a visit to current EU president Czech Republic, as peace talks continue after the three-week Middle East conflict in January. From a Europe generally sympathetic to Palestine, our weekly focus is centered in Italy: portraits of Israeli-Palestinian communities in Turin, an Israeli artist in Mantua and mutual understanding through a history textbook
Young Europeans only know the Holocaust through war movies
Or do they? One of the most horrific events of the 20th century remains a painful recollection of a war spurred by false ideology that claimed six million lives. Nobody wants to take the trip down the road of oblivion, because it forces us to revisit the reality of humanity at its worst. Conversations in Spain and Italy
war, seconda guerra mondiale, warsaw, holocaust, spain, italy, culture
Eyewitness Israel: Gaza, war and the wall of incomprehension between Europe
From Jerusalem to Sderot, Israelis are lamenting the pro-Palestinian stance of European public opinion, as well as serious anti-Semitic acts. They have warned that dialogue with Hamas is impossible
war, gaza strip, israele, palestine occupied territory, israel, world affairs
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