Islam expert Nilüfer Göle: ‘a new Europe where Muslims play a great role’

After the terrorist attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, not only France but many across the whole of Europe came together against it. Around four million people poured onto the streets of France to protest against terrorism on Sunday.'

Euronews turned to a prominent Turkish sociologist who has carried out studies on Muslim women.
Professor Nilüfer Göle is director of studies at l’ École des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) – the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris.

Bahtiyar Küçük, euronews:“How did the recent attack in Paris affect France? Do you think it will undermine the fundamental dynamics of a multicultural society?”

Nilüfer Göle, EHESS: “This attack is being compared with the events of 9/11. We hope that the rally held on 11 January will be considered as a different response to that of America. In other words, that the attacks will push us into positive moves, to rethink the rules about living together in unity.

“Today Europe has protected its Muslim communities more than ever. We’ve seen this with the rally. The religious authorities not just in Europe but also in Muslim countries should keep their distance from those who try to convey these attacks as rightful.”

Read more: Islam expert Nilüfer Göle: ‘a new Europe where Muslims play a great role’ | euronews, news +

EurActive: EurActive: 'New Europe' fears losing privileged status with US

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"New Europe' fears losing privileged status with US

No matter who becomes the next US president, Eastern European countries are afraid that the privileged relations they have enjoyed under the Bush administration could be lost. EurActiv's network in Central Europe and Turkey contributed to this report. The sentiment in Eastern European capitals is that the next US President will prioritzse repairing relations with Western European capitals, which have suffered under neo-conservative US rule, and that Eastern European countries – despite being America's strongest allies under Bush – could find themselves somewhat neglected. "

Bloomberg.com: Russia's War With Georgia May Revive U.S.-Europe Rift - by Mark Deen and Reed V. Landberg

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Russia's War With Georgia May Revive U.S.-Europe Rift - by Mark Deen and Reed V. Landberg

Russia's attack on Georgia may reopen a U.S. rift with European Union leaders over how the trans-Atlantic alliance should deal with its main Cold War adversary. While President George W. Bush dispatched U.S. air and naval forces to deliver ``vigorous'' humanitarian aid to Georgia, the EU's foreign ministers have carefully avoided assigning blame for the conflict and plan to send non-military monitors to the region only later this year. Europe's caution in responding to Russia's first major offensive since the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union illustrates differences with the U.S. over the military role of the EU and the development of trade and energy links with Russia.In parallel to the falling out over Iraq in 2003, divisions exist in Europe over how hard a line to take with Russia. Countries subject to Soviet rule during the Cold War are pushing for a tougher response, while the richer Western Europeans want to play down conflict.

Trade between Russia and the EU jumped 23 percent in 2007 to $284 billion, making the EU Russia's biggest trading partner and Russia the bloc's third-largest partner. The EU also depends on Russia to supply a quarter of its natural gas.

National Post: 'New Europe' shows resolve'- "or are they just plain wrong like they were on Iraq?" - by Peter Goodspeed

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'New Europe' shows resolve' - "or are they just plain wrong like they were on Iraq?" - by Peter Goodspeed

The Five Day War has revealed deep new divisions between Old and New Europe.

There is an obvious rift within the EU's 27 member states and between former Soviet satellite states who want to take tough action against Moscow and the Western European powers who cautiously warn against antagonizing a resurgent Russia.Ironically, the divisions almost mirror the splits that surfaced in Europe over the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when Donald Rumsfeld, then the defense secretary, dismissed invasion critics, saying, "You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe." His comments raised a furor, with Europeans accusing him of being both wrong and undiplomatic. Today, European tensions between the ageing West and the impatient, still insecure newcomers from the East are increasingly evident.

More immediately, New Europe's fears of being the next potential target of Russian aggression spurred Poland to conclude an agreement with Washington yesterday, establishing a controversial anti-missile defense shield on Polish soil. After 18 months of inconclusive bargaining, they signed a deal in which Washington will set up its new anti-missile shield in exchange for a promise to base 10 Patriot anti-missile batteries permanently in Poland. Washington also agreed to a mutual defense pact that commits each country to come to the others aid in a crisis.

Note EU-Digest "Some of the former European east block countries which are now members of the EU and who have enormously benefited from the economic aid provided to them by the EU seem to be unwilling to be part of a common European policy. They rather prefer to be part of the US sphere of influence. This should not be acceptable and they must be made to understand by the majority of the EU members that this behaviour is not conducive to the unity of the European Union.".

Der Tagespiegel: Farewell, New Europe

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Farewell New Europe

It was a sunny day in June, and George W. Bush was giving a speech at the University of Warsaw. Inside, the politicians listened with interest, whispering their approval to one another. Outside, crowds gathered to cheer, holding up signs in support of America. Afterward, the press was full of praise for the president's carefully crafted language, which had been thoughtfully designed to appeal to post-communist Europe. Hard to imagine, but true: that's what President Bush's first visit to Poland was like – and I was there – in the unfathomably distant summer of 2001.

A mere four years later, New Europe no longer exists. Aznar, Berlusconi, and Blair are all out of office. Central Europe's mood has changed profoundly, from pro-American to deeply skeptical. A year ago some 62% of Poles believed American influence in the world to be "largely positive." That figure has now dropped to 38 percent.