The trial and sentencing of the former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko in 2011 is a double challenge to the European Union – testing both its credibility and the transformative capacity of its soft power. Kiev ignored clear warnings from Brussels and key member states, and then failed to deliver on promises of compromise.

Europe must shift the balance of power with Algeria, one of its key energy suppliers, in order to encourage much needed political reform and safeguard its own interests. The EU has a window of opportunity: Algeria has already felt the pressure for change, and indicated this week that it is willing to come to the negotiating table on a action plan for reform.

The overall outcome of Sunday’s elections – with only tame parties standing in opposition to Putin – is not in doubt, but the specific results may signal that the Putin system is losing its legitimacy, just as he readies himself to retake the presidency (possibly until 2024). But Putin would not be returning to the same Russia as when he last held the presidency: buffeted by economic turbulence and fearful of stagnation, Russia is now post-BRIC.

Does rescuing the euro need China, and, if it does, at what cost for European independence?

A new framework for understanding Europe's efficiency and legitimacy crises, and examines the political and legal obstacles to a solution in different member states, the new cultural divisions in Europe, and the rise of new populist forces (including a discussion of the new German and British questions)

Spain votes on 20^th November, in the jaws of the two great issues facing Europe: the financial crisis and the Arab Spring.The outcome of the election will affect whether Spain plays a crucial role in helping Europe deal with both crises, heal divisions between northern and southern Europe, and bring stability and reform to the EU’s southern neighbourhood.

The Arab revolutions present the EU with a challenge: embarrassed by support for the stability offered by former leaders, it now wants to support democracy and human rights in a region where popular representation may conflict with liberal values.

The latest plan to save the euro depends upon the enlargement of a special fund, the EFSF, with contributions from China and other large lenders. But – as Europe’s liquidity crisis threatens to become a solvency crisis beyond Greece – what price would China demand for its large-scale lending support?

Masked by the euro crisis, another flagship European project, the Common Security and Defence Policy, is in danger of break-up. Meanwhile, the flow of European peace-keeping operations has dried up – and Europe went missing in action in Libya.

The Palestinian drive for recognition as a state by the United Nations Security Council has highlighted Europe's diplomatic weaknesses at the UN – after a year in which the EU also split over how to handle Libya and struggled to put pressure on Syria.