Conversation on Transatlanticism and Europe Blog

by Alberto M. Burgos-Rivera (UIUC) This blog post was written for the course "Current Issues in Global and EU Affairs", which took place from February 11-May 9, 2019. Nicolás Maduro Image Credit: Eneas de Troya,  via Wikimedia Commons Juan Guaidó Image Credit: Gabriel Cruz, via Wikimedia Commons Although the current presidential crisis facing Venezuela began in early January 2019, its origins may be argued to have begun with Nicolás Maduro’s first presidential term. An heir to Chavez’s Bolivarian Revolution, Maduro’s first presidential term was marred by increased authoritarianism, human rights violations, economic hyperinflation coupled by scarcity of basic goods. These factors have caused an increase in emigration from the oil-rich nation towards neighboring South American countries. While last year’s presidential elections showed overwhelming electoral support for Maduro, it has been claimed that these elections were marred by vote r...

by Arthur Maximilian John and Kasey Golding (KU Leuven) This blog post was written for the course "Current Issues in Global and EU Affairs", which took place from February 11-May 9, 2019. Build-up to the 2010 NFL International Series Game at Wembley Stadium between the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers Image Credit: Flickr user 'Thomas' via Wikimedia Commons From debates over NATO and defense spending to major international agreements such as the Iran Nuclear Deal and the Paris Climate Agreement, it is no surprise that the high political discussions of the transatlantic relationship have been going through a rough patch.   Just a quick Google News search reveals the current struggles of one of the strongest geopolitical relationships of the last five decades. Wherever we look we seem to find more and more reasons to believe that Europe and the US are heading down a dangerous path—one in which we might even see the two venture ...