Europe – Page 78 – Prologue Journal

What I Learned From a Reclusive Taliban Commander

New York Times Mullah Osman Jawhari led one of the deadliest assaults on American forces in Afghanistan, a battle that came to symbolize the war itself. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/world/asia/lessons-learned-from-taliban-commander.html

How America Turned Allies into Enemies in Afghanistan

New York Times The United States killed it own allies, sabotaging itself in a part of Afghanistan where it never needed to be. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/world/europe/afghanistan-allies-enemies-nuristan-taliban.html

Humbled in Syria, Putin Seeks Vindication in Ukraine

New York Times An ally’s downfall has prompted calls in Russia for a definitive victory closer to home. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/world/europe/putin-syria-ukraine.html

As Europe Looks for a Leader, Italy Thrives While France and Germany Teeter

New York Times With Germany and France mired in crisis, the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni looks like a haven of stability, turning the continent’s usual pattern on its head. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/world/europe/europe-italy-meloni-stability.html

Thursday Briefing

New York Times The latest from Syria. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/briefing/syria-fbi-scholz-tiger.html

U.K. Bans Puberty Blockers for Teens Indefinitely

New York Times A freeze placed this year on their use to treat gender dysphoria will remain in place for young people under 18, except in clinical trials, Britain’s government said. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/world/europe/uk-bans-puberty-blockers-under-18.html

120 Miles of Russian Forest Couldn’t Keep Two Siberian Tigers Apart

New York Times Boris and Svetlaya were raised together as orphaned cubs, and then reintroduced to the wild separately. But Boris went on a trek that surprised the researchers who were monitoring him. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/science/siberian-tigers-russia.html

Scholz Calls for Confidence Vote, in Step Toward German Elections

New York Times Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who had few alternatives after his three-party coalition broke up, is widely expected to lose when Parliament takes up the measure on Monday. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/world/europe/germany-scholz-no-confidence-vote.html

The Torlonia Marbles Are Coming to Museums in Chicago, Texas and Montreal

New York Times For the first time, the ancient marbles are traveling out of Europe to the United States and Canada, for a prolonged stint. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/arts/design/torlonia-marbles-art-institute-kimball-museum-italy-sculpture.html

Prince William’s Chat With Trump Shows Why Royals May Be Potent Diplomatic Tool

New York Times President-elect Donald J. Trump has a reverence, bordering on awe, for Britain’s royal family. British diplomats hope that may help safeguard the “special relationship” in a fractious political climate. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/world/europe/trump-uk-royals-prince-william-king-charles.html