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The possibility of European boots on Ukrainian soil, the need to increase defence budgets and how to engage with the Trump administration’s seeming change of approach to global security were all on the agenda at a hastily convened summit of European leaders in Paris yesterday. The meeting was arranged by French President Emmanuel Macron after top U.S. officials made it clear that Europe was no longer the primary focus of Washington’s security policy and that American troops would not have a role in peacekeeping if a Donald Trump-brokered deal brings an end to the three-year conflict in Ukraine.
Coming days after the U.S. president held a lengthy telephone call with Russian president, Vladimir Putin, during which the pair appeared to agree to hold talks which, initially at least, would exclude Ukraine and Europe, the changes to America’s longstanding security guarantee has left European leaders scrambling for a response.
Meanwhile, the first month of Trump’s second presidency prompted constitutional scholars to discuss the importance of the separation of powers to a healthy democracy, while America’s arts community comes to terms with the president’s apparent takeover of the prestigious Kennedy Center.
Elsewhere, we take a look at why so many people seem to hate the multi Oscar-nominated film Emilia Perez and explore how online misinformation is deepening hatred and divisions in Bangladesh?
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ANP / Alamy Stock Photo
Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham
European leaders are stunned at the radical change of direction signalled by Donald Trump and his team.
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Anna Barford, University of Cambridge; Kate Brockie, University of Cambridge; Niall O'Higgins, University of Salerno
Young people in Bangladesh are not alone in their struggle to get decent work.
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Daniel Brady Mills, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; Jason Wright, Penn State; Jennifer L. Macalady, Penn State
Humans evolved late in Earth history. While this timing inspired the conclusion that humanlike life is a cosmic improbability, a new study pushes back.
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Alejandra Marquez Guajardo, Michigan State University
Even before the lead actress’s racist tweets were unearthed, the film was sagging under the weight of the director’s flippant approach to Mexican language and culture.
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Andi Hoxhaj, King's College London
The EU has mostly stayed silent since the protests began.
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E. Andrew Taylor, American University
This public-private performing arts center relies on some $85 million in donations every year. Will its sudden politicization jeopardize that big source of funding?
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Kristof Titeca, University of Antwerp
M23’s advances highlight Rwanda’s role in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the risk of an escalating regionalised conflict.
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Vittorio Bufacchi, University College Cork
The checks and balances that hold a functioning democracy together may be coming under threat in the US.
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Eva Cheuk-Yin Li, Lancaster University; Ka-Wei Pang, Chinese University of Hong Kong
The rise of queer romances for women in Thailand signals the emergence of more tolerant and progressive attitudes to LGBTQ+ people.
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Steven R. Fassnacht, Colorado State University
The powdery snow that skiers and snowboarders love, especially on crystal clear days, plays a big role in how much your skin will burn.
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