Europe

15th July has been declared an annual holiday called Democracy and National Unity Day – two attributes Turkey desperately needs, but shows no signs of at the moment. The events of the past year show that the failed coup was also a failed opportunity.

That there is a need to rebuild the US Navy is disputed by few in the mainstream. Initially at least, readiness needs to be prioritised by beginning to clear the many years of deferred maintenance that have undermined the fleet. But in the longer run, building up both numbers and capabilities matter.

Muslims in the Balkans have traditionally been and continue to be moderate, and post-war extremism in the region has yet to translate itself into widespread domestic violence. Nevertheless, ISIS has had some success in recruiting fighters for the wars in Syria and Iraq from the region.

The Western Balkans know that, in the long-term, they have more to gain from the West than the East – and the European Union’s continuous stalling leaves a void that needs to be filled. Stronger engagement with and on the part of NATO, regardless of how far it goes, will bring nothing but benefits to both sides and Europe as a whole.

The new French President, Emmanuel Macron, primarily focused on economic issues and the EU during the course of his campaign. However, rather than dismissing the concerns of Ms. Le Pen and her supporters as fear-mongering, he needs to implement a coherent policy to improve the security situation that is not just a continuation of the old, reactionary approach to the crisis.

The Serbian people are not out in the streets because this was not the election result they expected – they are out in the streets because they know what the result means for their future in the next five years. As things stand, Vucic’s win is a gain for stability but a loss for democracy – and it is high time that the two started being treated as equals again.

Over the past fifty years, the United States has increasingly focused on missile defense to deter threats against its strategic interests and those of its partners. Unfortunately, the acquisition and planning emphasis on defensive systems has resulted in a loss of attention to offensive capabilities.

Following an extended period in which Norway could focus its military efforts in the Middle East and Asia, Oslo is now having to face threats closer to home. NATO also has a major role in the defence of Norway and the surrounding region, but serious questions remain over the progress it has made in meeting the challenges on its northern flank.

Macedonia has been in political limbo for the past two years. The current protests can, at best, achieve a political compromise – the party in power may change, but the abuses for which punishment was called by the population will be forgotten, and Macedonia will move forward as if they never happened.

The Western Balkans have been receiving their fair share of attention from the international media lately. However, such alarmist talk often forgets that this is a region that is still recovering from recent bloodshed – and one that has more to lose than gain from its return.