Critical Juncture in EU Integration?

Dueling Banjos today in RCW's afternoon edition: a Daily Mail op-ed says the Euro must end, while ex-Eurocrats counter that the Euro could be saved with further EU integration. The authors' biases are obvious enough, but what might be less obvious is that they don't actually disagree with each other.

Both articles present the separation of monetary and fiscal policy as the source of the Eurozone crisis, and they're right. If Greece and the rest of the PIIGS still had national currencies, they could mitigate the problems austerity is giving them through inflation. And if fiscal policy were at least partially elevated to the EU level, redistributive assistance to the PIIGS wouldn't be left to the caprice of national politics in Germany. Monetary integration without fiscal coordination has proved to be a dangerous half measure.

OH Berlusconi!

This is one of my first posts for a while, so why not post something to make us all smile?

It, honestly, gives me pride to see my second prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, being so candid and not politically correct! (OK so his hilarious quips may not be the most strategic political tactic, but they certainly provide for excellent entertainment!)

His most recent comment was a complement on President Barak Obama's tan.

On another note, it may seem incredible that Berlusconi has remained in power so long with his very controversial commentary on other politicians, the left wing and not to mention his liaisons with teenage girls but, from recent events, his power appears to be tenuous - He will be facing a confidence vote in the upper and the lower house. Although it is thought that he will still retain his majority in the senate, he may not be so lucky in the lower hues with the abandonment of many of his old supporters. Will this mean an early election for Italy? (well it wouldn't be the first time!)

Where in the world is Turkey?

Or Who Lost Turkey? or Three-Level Games

Everyone just calm down, take a deep breath. Turkey is still in the same place it has always been (geographically at least). It has not been lost. It has not gone over to the dark side.

I’ve read my fair share of articles since the May 30th flotilla incident, and trust me, there have been quite a few. For a while in there, it seemed like watching a tennis game. One day Turkey was lost to the West and was trying to reestablish the Ottoman Empire or become the new champion of the Arab world, the next day its new found ties with Iran are unraveling and Turkish officials are having secret meetings with Israeli officials in Switzerland. Just a quick stroll down Real Clear World’s page on Turkey reveals the uncertainty, and it’s almost comic. But what is obvious is that Turkey wants to be just what it is: Turkey, no longer the “sick man of Europe” or America’s puppet in the Middle East, but a country with a rapidly growing economy, a strategic location, and a sovereign government.