Eurotopics.net

In the run-up to this week's Nato summit, US President Trump's critical stance and his condemnation of some allies' low military spending have many commentators from allied states on edge. Some question the existence of the entire alliance and believe that it must restructure in order to survive. Others complain that the US Republican Party is not doing more to stand up to Trump on security policy.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday dismissed the head of the country's anti-corruption agency, Laura Codruta Kövesi. He had initially opposed the government's decision but bowed to pressure following a ruling by the constitutional court that supported the government line. Iohannis had his spokeswoman announce the decision. Not just Romania's media are alarmed at the repercussions of the affair.

Two weeks after his election victory Turkey's President Erdoğan was sworn in on Monday and the country's parliamentary democracy was replaced by a presidential republic. On the weekend once again more than 18,000 state employees were dismissed on the grounds that they had ties with terrorist organisations. Where is this "new Turkey" heading?

Last week the US imposed billions of dollars in punitive tariffs on Chinese goods and China retaliated with similar measures. No one will emerge victorious from this war, commentators predict, and call for an overhaul of the entire global trade system.

The British cabinet has agreed on a plan for the Brexit negotiations. Prime Minister Theresa May may achieve her goal of pushing through a free trade zone with the EU. Brexit secretary David Davis, a proponent of a hard Brexit, has resigned. Some journalists find the government's soft Brexit approach outrageous. Others believe the final word hasn't been spoken yet.