Is the Euro doomed?

To remain optimistic about Europe’s future, and the future of its common currency in particular, is not easy nowadays. ‘The EURO is doomed anyway‘ has become something like conventional wisdom. Jean Pisani-Ferry’s (Director of Bruegel) article for Project Syndicate Is the Euro Ending or Beginning? is not particularly cheerful either. But it makes an important observation.

France after the elections – some analyses

Paris, France and Europe

The dust has settled after the French election race. It was a tough campaign by any standards. Even observers located outside France, like this author, couldn’t fail to notice this. Let’s analyse what happened, why it happened and what the future holds.

What has Florida to do with the U.S. embargo against Cuba?

Shelves are too large for what they offer in Cuba.

In my recent article 50 years of U.S. embargo against Cuba I tried to give some information about the history of Cuba and how the U.S. embargo came about. I did not however go in too much details regarding the question as to why the embargo is still in place and what does this say about democracy or rather the lack of it. This is the purpose of the following essay.

First we need to take a look at Cuban immigration to the U.S. in terms of numbers and preferred locations. Second, we need to enquire shortly into the U.S. electoral system and its peculiarities. Third, conclusion.

50 years of U.S. embargo against Cuba

Cuban flag hanging down the balcony of one of Havana’s many houses in urgent need of repair. But where are the funds to come from?

Much has been written about Cuba, even more has been said. Its beaches are among the most beautiful in the Caribbean. Its capital Havana was once praised as the Paris of the Antilles. No visitor fails to notice this, even though decades of deprivation and neglect have taken their toll.

Lega Nord after Bossi

Politics can be a rather dull affair. I am still a newcomer to Italy and by extension to Italian politics. My knowledge of its power mechanism is sketchy. What I know, or let’s say what I think I know, is what I read in newspapers or what I picked up at my local language school. My impression so far is that politics is generally less taken seriously here and quite entertaining, a drama that makes you laugh and cry in short succession.