New Russian President Dmitri Medvedev is a virtual clone of his ex-boss. But Putin was also mocked as a spineless yes-man when he emerged from Yeltsin's shadow »

There is nothing like losing your right to vote to spark questions about national identity and belonging, writes thiseurope editor Gareth Harding »

Scars of a painful past, optimism tinged with uncertainty about the future and wrestling in olive oil. Michael Palin speaks about his recent travels across eastern Europe »

Slovenia is often decsribed as 'Europe's best-kept secret.' This may be about to change as the small Alpine state takes over the EU presidency for the next six months »

The final vestiges of the Iron Curtain that once divided Europe will be erased on Dec. 21 when border controls between most old and new EU states are scrapped »

Thiseurope speaks to Romanian film director Cristian Mungiu about surviving communism, winning the 2007 Palme d'Or and resisting Hollywood  »

With cartons showing blackened lungs and open heart surgery, buying a packet of cigarettes in Belgium can be a pretty harrowing experience »

Brussels is home to the largest international press corps in the world, but U.S. media are noticeable by their absence »