Eurotopics.net

The Syrian regime has driven back the rebels in eastern Aleppo with the help of Russian fighter jets and tens of thousands of people are fleeing the areas under attack. A victory for the government forces in the northern Syrian city could mark a turning point in the civil war. Aleppo's recapture will bolster terrorist groups, commentators predict, concluding that US President Obama is partly to blame for the course the war has taken.

The Organization of the Petro Exporting Countries (Opec) has decided, on the basis of a preliminary agreement reached in September, to cut production for the first time since 2008 in a bid to halt falling oil prices. The move prompted oil prices to soar shortly after it was announced. Commentators say it is high time Europe switched to alternative energy sources.

The Italians will vote on a complex constitutional reform on December 4 that among other things foresees a smaller Senate. However, according to observers the referendum is less about the reform than a vote for or against Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the potential consequences of a government crisis for all Europe. How risky is Renzi's gambit?

Fear of globalisation is the driving force behind right-wing populism while traditional values play less of a role, a recent survey carried out by the Bertelsmann Foundation shows. In view of the rising popularity of right-wing demagogues in many European countries and in the US, commentators discuss how to counter right-wing populism.

Every four years the Timss Study assesses the mathematics skills of grade four pupils around the world. For many years states in the Far East have topped the ranking list, with Russia leading the countries of Europe. Pupils from Germany, Finland and the Netherlands saw a drop in their 2015 scores compared to 2011, according the newly-published study. No one in Europe cares anymore about teaching young people how to do maths, commentators fume.

Martin Schulz has announced that he will not run for a third term as President of the European Parliament and will focus on German politics instead. Exactly what post he will occupy there remains an open question. Some commentators voice relief at seeing the old boy ties between Schulz and Commission President Jucker being severed. Others fear that Germany's influence in Europe will increase.