title: Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe
author:  George Friedman 
description: &ldquo;There is a temptation, when you are around George Friedman, to treat him like a Magic 8-Ball.&rdquo; &mdash;<i>The New York Times Magazine<br></i><br>&ldquo;In <i>Flashpoints</i>, Friedman combines analysis with prophecy. . . . Some personal biography woven into poignant narratives helps reveal how geography and history have always shaped Europe&rsquo;s future.&rdquo; &mdash;<i>Winnipeg Free Press</i> <br><br>&ldquo;One of the country&rsquo;s leading strategic affairs experts.&rdquo; &mdash;Lou Dobbs<br><br>&ldquo;Considering how right [Friedman&rsquo;s] been over the years, he&rsquo;s worth listening to.&rdquo; &mdash;<i>San Antonio Express-News<br></i><br>&ldquo;Insightful. . . . Friedman vividly describes a region where memories are long, perceived vulnerabilities are everywhere, and major threats have emerged rapidly and unexpectedly many times before.&rdquo; &mdash;<i>Publishers Weekly</i>
zlib_text:   * **_The world this week_**
    *  ** _Leaders_**
    *  ** _Letters_**
    *  ** _Briefing_**
    *  ** _Asia_**
    *  ** _China_**
    *  ** _United States_**
    *  ** _Middle East & Africa_**
    *  ** _The Americas_**
    *  ** _Europe_**
    *  ** _Britain_**
    *  ** _International_**
    *  ** _Business_**
    *  ** _Finance & economics_**
    *  ** _Science & technology_**
    *  ** _Books & arts_**
    *  ** _Economic & financial indicators_**
    *  ** _Graphic detail_**
    *  ** _Obituary_**
  
  ## **The world this week**
  
    * **_Politics this week_**
    *  ** _Business this week_**
    *  ** _KAL’s cartoon_**
  
  **Politics this week**
  
  > Mar 20th 2021 |
  
  ![](Images/image00178.jpeg)
  
  At least 16 EU countries, including Germany, France, Italy and Spain,
  suspended the use of **AstraZeneca’s covid-19 vaccine** , following reports
  that a handful of people had developed blood-clots after receiving it. Several
  regulators, including the World Health Organisation, said that the risks of
  not getting jabbed far outweighed