The Flemish Rambo and Right-wing Extremism in Europe

https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-jurgen-conings-manhunt-culture-war/

The Flemish Rambo is dead but there are no sighs of relief in Brussels.

The fact that someone like Jürgen Conings would appear on the contemporary stage is surprising to no one. That extreme Right-wing ideology and behaviour should arise in Flanders also makes sense. Flemish hatred of Brussels has only grown in recent years. For them Brussels is the seat of Belgium, a country they view as an artificial nineteenth-century contrivance and it is also the seat of the European Union, a political entity that many have also come to hate as it represents the breakdown and disintegration of not just regional autonomy but traditional culture.

Belgium, Nuclear Weapons and the Breaking of Atlanticism

https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/belgium-debates-phase-out-of-us-nuclear-weapons-on-its-soil/

In light of Trump's posture towards NATO, one would find it hardly surprising to learn the Belgians don't want to find themselves as a frontline state in the case of a conflict with Russia. Why should they endure the risk without the reward?

Congo on the Knife-Edge: Kabila, Bemba and the 2018 Election

https://www.yahoo.com/news/dr-congos-kabila-promotes-blacklisted-generals-army-shake-155235623.html

At this point Joseph Kabila has nothing to lose, he knows everyone is scheming against him. His father was assassinated and while his motives are undoubtedly motivated (at least in part) by self-interest, his departure will also signal a serious change for the DRC.