Fair Observer's five best Europe articles of 2012.

1: The Far Right in Britain: Challenging Complacency — Paul Jackson

While it is true that the far right does not have the same political presence in Britain compared toother countries in Europe, we should recognize far right policies are often radicalised forms of mainstream concerns and these need to be challenged.

2: What Would Happen if the EU Broke Up? (Part 1) — John Bruton

The former Prime Minister of Ireland, John Bruton, disccusses the political and economic stresses that might lead to the break-up of the European Union, and its consequences for member states. This is the first of two parts.

3: Obama vs. Romney: Whom Would Putin Pick? — Lilia Shevtsova and David J. Kramer

A re-elected Barack Obama, despite his support for Russia's WTO membership, the signing of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and his overlooking of the Kremlin’s crackdown on the opposition, may not really be preferred by Russia's leaders over Mitt Romney.

4: Eurozone Bailouts: The German Constitutional Court Says Yes but Bundesbank Says No — Gunnar Beck

The German Constitutional Court passes a judgment to support Chancellor Merkel’s position on the European Stability Mechanism Treaty but the Bundesbank opposes European Central Bank’s unlimited bond buying programme.

5: The EU to the USE? — Josep Colomer

A comparison between the similarities and differences between the EU and the USA and some thoughts on whether the EU should become the USE.

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