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A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's views on the current political affairs in the U.S. in February 2016.

Focuses on the downfall of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Developments during the failed rule of Milosevic; Methods used for conveying and retaining his authority; Demonstration of Milosevic's readiness to resort to force against the Albanians of Kosovo, Serbia.

Focuses on the odd alliance of Udo Voight, a former West German Army officer, and Michael Nier, a member of the East German Communist Party, in the National Democratic Party of Germany. Issues involving the party; Details on the military career of Voight; Career background of Nier; Perception that is shared by Voight and Nier.

Reports on the increasing number of people seeking asylum in European Union countries. Attitudes of Europeans toward immigrants; Economic factors affecting the desirability of Europe among asylum-seekers; How Europe's political climate is becoming increasingly hostile to foreigners; Details of the deaths of 58 Chinese immigrants being smuggled into Dover, England.

Focuses on the nomination of Angela Merkel as leader of the Christian Democratic Union party in Germany. Changes that Merkel represents; Issues that plagued the party; Criticisms against Merkel.

Details the move of the European governments in dismissing the resignation of Jorg Haider from the leadership of the Freedom Party. Move of the governments of the European Union in freezing relations with Austria; Comments from Wolfgang Schussel, the conservative chancellor of the People's Party; Comments from several European politicians.

Reports that Jorg Haider resigned on February 29, 2000 as leader of the anti-immigrant Freedom Party that he has taken from a marginal fringe group in Austria. Implications of his resignation on Europe; Overview of his political career.

Reports on the statement from Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel regarding the isolation of his country caused by his decision in February 2000 to form a coalition government with the Freedom Party of Jorg Haider, a right-wing populist. Two countries most vehement in their denunciation of Schussel; His view of the method used by the European Union against his decision.

Reports the political career of Edmund Stoiber, a conservative prime minister of Bavaria in Berlin, Germany as of February 17, 2000. Details on his political credentials; Impact of the crisis in the Christian Democratic Union to his political status.

Relates the political crisis in Germany with that of Italy's political system. Principles upheld by former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl; Similarities of German Christian Democracy and Democrazia Cristiana; Reason for the establishment of the Christian Democratic Union in Germany; Provisions in the Article 21 of the German Constitution.

Focuses on the January 1999 introduction of a single European currency, the euro. Overview of the concept of a united Europe; Provisions of the Maastricht Treaty for a European Central Bank and a common currency; Implications of the currency's success for the 11 member countries; Contrast between the circumstances in the western German city of Aachen and in the Polish sector of the eastern German city of Gorlitz.

Explores the complication of the system of federal government in Yugoslavia that has led to a series of civil war under the administration of President Slobodan Milosevic. Republics of Yugoslavia that seceded; Political and social views of Milosevic; Discussion on the history of Yugoslavia; Speculation that Kosovo will become an independent state.

Looks at how Germany attempts to adapt to the changes that happened in European politics and international relations. How the admission of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has relieved Germany of problems; Details on the history of Germany.

Looks at the statement of Germany Finance Minister Oskar Lafontaine that suggests possible alliance of the Social Democratic Party with the Party of Democratic Socialism. Political and economic conditions of Germany; Reaction of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder on the statement from Lafontaine.

Describes the status of the government in Germany under Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. Attack of Schroder on Germany's contributions to the European Union Budget; Suggestion of Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to change its nuclear policies; Dislike of Finance Minister Oskar Lafontaine to the American-style global capitalism; Reaction from Europe and the United States to the statement.

Features German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. Political problems facing Schroder in 1998; Promises made by Schroder before he was elected; Political and economic conditions of Germany.

Suggests that Gerhard Schroder, Germany's elected chancellor, will seek to form a coalition government with the Green Party. Confidence of Schroder that he can form the coalition government; Details on the changes in the politics and government of Germany; Political and social views of Schroder.

Features Gerhard Schroder, leader of the Social Democratic Party and candidate for chancellor of Germany in 1998. Social and political views of Schroder.

Discusses summer 1998 economic and social conditions in Nigeria. Percentage of African population that lives in Nigeria; Impact of the country's failure to develop agriculture; Dependence on an oil-dominated economy; Examples of the decayed infrastructure; Universality of corruption; Spread of poverty.

Describes the situation in war-torn Bosnia, reflecting the impasse in the negotiations over a political settlement, as of April 12, 1995.

Opinion. Focuses on political, economic, and social conditions in France, as of February 1997. Technological progress seemingly sweeping France out of the mainstream of economic progress; High unemployment feeding support for the right-wing, anti-immigration National Front; Figures on economic growth and unemployment; France's obsession with its identity; The cultural antagonism between France and the United States.

Views the change in the door plaque at the United States Embassy in Yugoslavia as reflective of the grim reality in the region. Details of the conflict in the Balkans; Efforts for a diplomatic solution to end the conflict.

Analyses the political situation in the Balkan region and growing apprehensions of a war. Impact of the confusion of American and European diplomacy; Role of President Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia as a peacemaker; `Last chance' summit meeting initiated by the French Government and supported by the United States.

Reports the concessions offered to Serbia for recognition of Bosnia and Croatia, by the nations pursuing peace settlement. Plan regarding recognition.

Reports on an agreement by officials of a five-nation group working for peace in Bosnia, of a plan that seeks to suspend most sanctions against Serbia if it recognizes Bosnia and Croatia. Details of the plan; Views of various Government officials on the issue.

Reports on the war situation in Serbia and Croatia on February 9, 1995. Breakdown of talks between Croatian Serbs and the Government of Croatia.

Analyzes the efforts by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic to bring about peace in the region. Role of the United States in the peace efforts.

Reports on the status of the Bosnian war as on January 13, 1995. Focus on the meeting of United States and European officials with Bosnian Serbs in Pale; Fallout of the same; Assessment of the situation.

Reports on the attack by Bosnian Serb forces on a United Nations aid convoy in eastern Bosnia. Results of the attack; Request for NATO air strike; Details of the convoy and incident; Relations between the UN and Bosnian Serb commanders; Views on Lieut. Gen. Sir Michael Rose's approach; NATO's response; Bosnian Serbs' tactics.

Looks at the reasons why French President Jacques Chirac hesitated to remove the unpopular Prime Minister Alain Juppe, who resigned from his post on May 26, 1997. Relationship between Chirac and Juppe; Views of political scientist Michel Lussault; Success of the Socialist Party in the 1997 Parliamentary elections.

Focuses on the social and economic problems faced by Algeria, with emphasis on the Algerian civil war which started in January 1992. What the recent violence in Algeria suggests; Efforts of the Algerian government to put an end to the war.