Profile In Focus | Brexit Part 1 (February 2014 - December 2016)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile In Focus | Brexit Part 1 (February 2014 - December 2016)
“A graphic to illustrate the uncertainty of Brexit” by Asav under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In February 2014, the fate of the United Kingdom began to take a significant turn as discussions about a potential exit from the European Union, dubbed "Brexit," started to emerge. This concept gained traction when a British individual drafted a blueprint proposing that the UK join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as an alternative to EU membership.
As the idea of Brexit took hold, questions and concerns arose. In September 2014, Reuters pondered whether Scotland's potential independence, referred to as "Scoxit," would have a similar impact to Brexit. The Guardian, in October 2014, explored the potential consequences of Britain leaving the EU, discussing issues such as trade, immigration, and sovereignty.
The topic gained momentum in the following years. In May 2015, The Conversation warned that leaving the EU might not be as simple as some proponents suggested. There were discussions about the impact of Brexit on the UK economy, with Investopedia publishing an article in the same month to shed light on the truth behind the UK's departure from the EU.
In May 2015, the Bank of England's secret plan for the UK's exit from the EU came to light, causing controversy and scrutiny. This revelation raised questions about the UK's relationship with Europe, as explored by CNBC in May 2015. The Guardian reported in September 2015 that Prime Minister David Cameron accepted advice to change the wording of the EU referendum question.
As the Brexit debate intensified, various factors came into play. POLITICO presented 12 reasons why Cameron might lose on Brexit in November 2015, while Al Jazeera asked whether the UK should leave the EU or not. In November 2015, Reuters reported that leaving the EU wouldn't ruin Northern Ireland's economy, according to a leadership favorite.
The economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit became a growing concern. A Reuters poll in December 2015 highlighted that the UK's decent growth outlook was threatened by Brexit uncertainty. The Economist described Cameron's decision to hold a referendum on Brexit as a gamble in December 2015. The Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) shared unpleasant Brexit econometrics that same month.
In February 2016, academics from across Europe joined the Brexit debate, adding their perspectives to the ongoing discussion. The Economist emphasized the real danger of Brexit, while Bloomberg explored the roots of this movement in March 2016. The impact of Brexit on European security and its potential effect on the EU's stance against Russia were subjects of discussion in April 2016.
As the referendum date approached, the focus turned to the implications of Brexit. Chatham House highlighted the myth of sovereignty in the context of Britain, the EU, and the Brexit debate in May 2016. David Cameron claimed that Putin and ISIS would be happy with Brexit in the same month, leading to further analysis and discussions.
The Brexit vote in June 2016 marked a turning point for the UK and the EU. NPR provided a comprehensive guide to Britain's Brexit vote, while the implications of Brexit on the US were explored in various publications. The Atlantic questioned why Britain chose to leave the EU, and The New Yorker examined why the Remain campaign lost.
The global reactions to Brexit were widespread, and the consequences were assessed in multiple areas. The National Interest discussed four geopolitical consequences of Brexit, while Harvard Business Review reflected on the triumph of insularity. BROOKINGS analyzed the potential dissolution of the UK, and PBS NewsHour delved into the motivations behind the British vote.
Brexit's impact extended beyond Europe, attracting attention from China, Russia, and the United States. The Diplomat explored China's perspective on Brexit, while the BBC investigated what Russia gained from it. BuzzFeed News labeled Vladimir Putin as the big winner of Brexit, while The Washington Post questioned whether Brexit would hurt NATO.
The aftermath of the Brexit vote brought economic implications and concerns about human rights. The Guardian reported that UK scientists were dropped from EU projects due to post-Brexit funding fears, and Human Rights Watch highlighted the increase in reported hate crimes in London. Academics threatened to leave Brexit Britain, and Newsweek revealed offshore secrets of prominent Brexit supporter Arron Banks.
As 2016 came to an end, discussions revolved around the potential interference of Russian hackers in the Brexit referendum. Labour MPs claimed that Russia had likely swayed the vote, and concerns about Russian influence loomed over Europe in the coming year.
The events from February 2014 to December 2016 set the stage for the historic Brexit vote, leaving the United Kingdom and the European Union facing a new reality and uncertain future.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 28, 2023
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Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile In Focus | Brexit Part 1 (February 2014 - December 2016):
United Kingdom's fate hinges on a tale of two referendums - Reuters February 19, 2014
Briton drafts ‘Brexit’ blueprint: UK can join EFTA - Euractiv April 10, 2014
Calculator: Does Scoxit = Brexit? - Reuters September 12, 2014
This way to the Brexit: what would happen if Britain left the EU? - The Guardian October 10, 2014
Why a ‘Brexit’ won’t be as easy as UKIP makes out - The Conversation May 1, 2015
Five key Brexit questions - POLITICO May 8, 2015
Brexit Meaning and Impact: The Truth About the U.K. Leaving the EU - Investopedia May 8, 2015
Just what is the UK’s problem with Europe? - CNBC May 27, 2015
EU referendum: Cameron accepts advice to change wording of question - The Guardian September 1, 2015
12 reasons why Cameron will lose on Brexit | Opinion - POLITICO November 3, 2015
‘Brexit’: Should the UK leave the EU or not? - Al Jazeera November 11, 2015
'Brexit' wouldn't ruin Northern Ireland economy - leadership favourite - Reuters November 24, 2015
Decent UK growth outlook threatened by Brexit uncertainty - Reuters poll - Reuters December 9, 2015
Cameron’s Brexit gamble - The Economist December 10, 2015
Cameron drops big 2016 hint for Brexit referendum date - Euractiv December 18, 2015
Academics across Europe join ‘Brexit’ debate - nature February 3, 2016
The real danger of Brexit - The Economist February 27, 2016
The Roots of Brexit - Bloomberg March 3, 2016
Brexit would weaken EU's front against Russia: UK's Europe minister - Reuters April 16, 2016
Britain, the EU and the Sovereignty Myth - Chatham House May 9, 2016
David Cameron: Putin and ISIL would be happy with Brexit - POLITICO May 17, 2016
Euroskepticism Beyond Brexit - Pew Research Center June 7, 2016
Why Putin Is Meddling in Britains Brexit Vote - Daily Beast June 8, 2016
A Guide To Britain's 'Brexit' Vote - NPR June 8, 2016
Is Brexit good for America? Nope | OP-ED - BROOKINGS June 15, 2016
Beware the Brexit bots: The Twitter spam out to swing your vote - NewScientist June 21, 2016
What Is Brexit? - U.S. News June 22, 2016
In Boston, U.K., A Microcosm Of Brexit Vote's Immigration Debate - RFERL June 22, 2016
Is 'Brexit' the Beginning of End for European Union? - NBC News June 23, 2016
5 reasons why Americans should care about Brexit - CNN June 24, 2016
The U.K.'s Old Decided for the Young in the Brexit Vote - TIME June 24, 2016
Brexit 101: What just happened, and why it’s important for Americans - NBC News June 24, 2016
Britain's EU Exit: What Comes Next? - NPR June 24, 2016
The Big Winner Of Brexit Is Vladimir Putin - BuzzFeed News June 24, 2016
Why Britain Left - The Atlantic June 24, 2016
Why the Remain Campaign Lost the Brexit Vote - The New Yorker June 24, 2016
Global reactions to Brexit - CBS News June 24, 2016
Four Geopolitical Consequences of Brexit - The National Interest June 24, 2016
Brexit and the Triumph of Insularity - Harvard Business Review June 24, 2016
What motivations led British voters to choose Brexit? - PBS NewsHour June 24, 2016
Why the U.S. is freaked out about Brexit - CNN June 24, 2016
Brexit: What's Race Got To Do With It? - NPR | Code Switch June 25, 2016
What China Thinks About Brexit - The Diplomat June 25, 2016
EU referendum: What does Russia gain from Brexit? - BBC News June 26, 2016
Brexit winner Putin - DW June 26, 2016
Does 'Brexit' Mean Security Woes Are Next? - TIME June 26, 2016
What Brexit Means for Ukraine - Atlantic Council June 27, 2016
Brexit vote, UK political confusion keep world markets on edge - Reuters June 27, 2016
Why the New Nationalists Are Taking Over - POLITICO June 27, 2016
Brexit: UKIP’s ‘unethical’ anti-immigration poster - Al Jazeera June 28, 2016
Economic implications of Brexit - BROOKINGS June 28, 2016
Brexit | The end of globalization as we know it? Economic Policy Institute June 28, 2016
Russia wins politically with UK leaving the EU, experts say - CNBC June 28, 2016
Why Vladimir Putin is cheering Brexit — and why he might soon regret it - Vox June 28, 2016
Brexit's Impact on Russia Stirs Concern - VOA News June 28, 2016
Brexit Is a Russian Victory - Foreign Policy June 30, 2016
Brexit could save Russia billions of dollars - INSIDER July 3, 2016
Why Brexit Won't Necessarily Hurt NATO | Commentary - RAND Corporation July 3, 2016
Russia, China See Silver Linings After U.K.'s Brexit Vote - NBC News July 6, 2016
Brexit, Pursued by a Bear: NATO’s Enduring Relevance - Council on Foreign Relations July 6, 2016
Brexit and Russia Make President Obama's Last NATO Summit His Toughest Ever - TIME July 6, 2016
‘Brexit’ and Russia Loom Over Obama’s Final NATO Summit Meeting - The New York Times July 7, 2016
Obama Downplays Brexit Impact at NATO Summit - DefenseNews July 8, 2016
Obama downplays Brexit impact at NATO summit - EURACTIV | AFP July 9, 2016
Russia Welcomes Boris Johnson as Britain's New Foreign Secretary - Newsweek July 14, 2016
To Brexit or Not to Brexit—or Both? - Carnegie Europe July 29, 2016
This is what European countries think about Brexit - World Economic Forum August 5, 2016
Brexit’s Gifts to Putin - Foreign Affairs August 24, 2016
Brexit: impact across policy areas - UK Parliament | House of Commons Library August 26, 2016
Brexit and the Baltics - Foreign Policy Research Institute September 1, 2016
Brexit fears may see 15% of UK university staff leave, group warns - The Guardian September 25, 2016
Brain drain has begun . . . and it’s costing millions, academics warn - The Times October 15, 2016
How Boris Johnson flip-flopped on Brexit - The Christian Science Monitor October 16, 2016
Russian hackers 'probably swayed Brexit vote', says Ben Bradshaw MP - sky news December 14, 2016
The British Putin supporter who spread Trump propaganda online - France 24 December 18, 2016