Topic: Central & Eastern Europe

German economic model – American style

The debt crisis is shaking Europe – and now Germany, too. But no Western country weathered the storm of the Great Recession as well as Germany. America can't copy the German model, but it can learn much from its small-business exporters.

Saving Yiddish from Hebrew

Yiddish, the traditional language of European Jews, was almost entirely wiped out by the Holocaust and Israel's emphasis on Hebrew. But one man is attempting to save some space for it.

West must support democracy in Arab world as it did in Central Europe

Western leaders must support democracy in the Arab world now in 2011 as they did in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989. The time for viewing dictatorships as defenders of Western civilization is finished.

Qatar: The small Arab monarchy with the loud democratic voice

It's a contradiction. Qatar, the Gulf country which sits atop a huge natural gas field, is ruled firmly as a monarchy. And yet it has become a strong advocate of democracy in the Arab Spring.

Aid to Tunisia and Egypt: Not exactly a Marshall Plan

As the G8 countries meet in France to discuss support of the Arab Spring, hopes are modest. But a giant Marshall Plan for these new democracies is less needed than is effective aid.

Colin Powell gives Obama backing on START nuclear deal

Colin Powell and Obama warned of grave consequences if the Senate fails to ratify the New START pact, which would reduce how many strategic warheads the United States and Russia could hold and set up a system so each could inspect and verify the other's arsenal.

NATO summit reality check: Brilliant policy vs. real world resistance

The NATO summit laid out excellent plans for ongoing security, including Afghanistan and Russia. It's brilliant policy. There's just one problem: implementation happens in the real world – where countries are slashing defense budgets and publics resist ongoing military engagements.

Georgia President Saakashvili: Russian hostility won't sap our commitment to democracy

Mikheil Saakashvili says Russian hostility has helped turn Georgia into a democratic laboratory for the region, and argues that true security cannot be separated from democracy.

Austria bankers fear wave of bad loans tied to Eastern Europe

In another sign of Europe's financial woes, the Austrian government has spent $137 billion to shore up its banks, worried that they're overexposed to Eastern Europe's struggling economies. 

When the Berlin Wall came down

Twenty years later, the rest of the world is a different place because of that event.

Opel deal could bring Russian economy in from cold

The sale of GM's European unit to a Canadian-Russian consortium could help diversify Russia's energy-focused economy.

Jews hope to reclaim their architectural legacy in Eastern Europe

The region's Jewish communities are now largely gone, but a growing movement seeks to restore and protect the synagogues, cemeteries, and other remaining landmarks.

On European trip, rock-star Obama faces skeptical allies

While he is popular, American policies are not. He will be hard-pressed towin concessions on his plans for the economy or Afghanistan.

Some in Eastern Europe ask: What economic crisis?

Ahead of G-20 summit, Czech and Polish leaders say their banks have no toxic debt and auto factories are humming.

EU summit pledges help – but offers no more money – for struggling East

From crisis, a more unified Europe?

The recession is exacerbating splits within Europe, but its severity may change that.

NATO summit highlights U.S.-Europe divide on Russia

Opposition to Ukraine and Georgia's US-backed membership bids, led by Germany, is widely seen as an effort to preserve Europe's growing energy ties with Moscow.