Ian Golan

3 days ago | moderndiplomacy.eu | Ian Golan

In its latest crusade against smoking, the European Union is preparing to yet again hike taxes on cigarettes, raising their prices by almost 30% through the Tobacco Excise Directive. The EU approach is a deeply regressive one that disproportionately harms low-income individuals, fuels illicit trade, and, as global experience shows, fosters sprawling black markets for cigarettes.

Nov 26, 2024 | brusselsmorning.com | Ian Golan

The right to die on your own terms is inherent to the right to life. Until fairly recently, the controversial question of medical assistance in dying had flown under the radar of public debate. However, last month, in the UK, a new Assisted Dying Bill was introduced in Parliament, aiming to grant terminally ill adults with six months or fewer to live the right to seek a medically supervised death. The text of the bill is now published.

Oct 21, 2024 | europinion.uk | Ian Golan

The recent Olympic Games was a disaster for Finland. Despite 9 million euros in spending on high-level athletes and hundreds of millions more devoted to subsidising other sporting activities, the Finnish National team did not win any medals in the 2024 Olympics. The time has come for cuts in sports funding. Finland’s Olympic showing has been an embarrassment. Finnish athletes returned without a single medal scored in Paris.

Oct 18, 2024 | brusselsreport.eu | Brussels Report.eu |Ian Golan

By Ian GolanAs the possibility of Trump returning to the White House looms, Ukraine’s future hangs in the balance. In all likelihood, if Trump wins, Ukraine will lose the war or be forced into a crippling peace deal. Europe must prepare for an absence of American leadership on the world stage. Trump has no foreign policy. He is a foreign policy shapeshifter, malleable to his surroundings. If re-elected president, Trump will sell out America’s alliances with Europe.