Eurotopics.net

Russia's war against Ukraine, China's threatening stance in the South China Sea and vis-à-vis Taiwan, and now Donald Trump's statements regarding Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada have sparked fears that the world could be on the verge of a new battle for spheres of influence reminiscent of 19th century expansionism and colonialism. Europe's press discusses the role Europe should play in such a scenario.

At its party conference in Riesa in the German state of Saxony, the Alternative for Germany party (AfD), parts of which are categorised as far right, has chosen Alice Weidel as its chancellor candidate. In her closing speech Weidel called for borders to be closed, gender studies to be abolished and wind turbines to be pulled down. The controversial term "remigration" was included in the party's election programme. Commentators see a radicalisation.

On 9 January Karol Nawrocki, the right-wing conservative PiS candidate in the Polish presidential elections slated for May, stated that he did not envision Ukraine in either the EU or Nato until "important civilisational issues" for Poland were resolved. The remark refers to the Volhynia massacres of 1943 in which tens of thousands of Polish civilians were massacred by members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. Until now the PiS had advocated speedy accession for Ukraine.

The devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area are still only partially under control: at least 24 people have died, hundreds of thousands have been evacuated and thousands of homes and buildings have been burned to the ground. The LA Fire Department has described it as "one of the most destructive natural disasters" in the history of the Californian metropolis. Commentators see different causes, dangerous narratives and numerous necessary consequences.