EUROPE: MODERN TIMES recently visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg, and met one of the founders of the Conference on the Future of Europe – where the following topics have been discussed: democratic values, climate change, social justice and job security, human rights, European defense and digital transformation. This is the basis for ORIENTERING this time, as we on the following pages have asked a number of Norwegian opinion leaders about much of the same. And here with Daniel Freund, who is a member of the party Die Grünen in Germany, we could not help but talk about climate.

WOMEN: On the occasion of Women's Day on March 8, MODERN TIMES prints here, in reflection on the changing times, an excerpt from Eivind Tjønneland's new book «Abnormal» women – Henrik Ibsen and the decadence. Ibsen's dramas were described in 1893 as written for hysterical women, male masochists and the mentally retarded.

TURKEY: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is perceived by many as an Ottoman sultan and behaves accordingly. He has become increasingly angry as the West has opposed him.

USA / CHINA: The elephant in space is the United States' Cold War against China. Jan Arild Snoen's China book is a political pamphlet or insult out of step with the world.

MATERIALISM: It's about nature, ethics and influence – stem cell research, power outages, obesity epidemics and food policy.

PHILOSOPHY: Jostein Gaarder conveys a mixture of worry and wonder.

INTERNET: In 2017, two-thirds of Americans received large portions of their daily news dose via social media. The coincidence of financial capitalism and information technologies creates, according to Joseph Vogl, "resentment-driven echo chambers."

PASOLINI: 100 years: On the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Pier Paolo Pasolini (March 5, 1922), MODERN TIMES has chosen to print an essay on a theme between power and the oppressed – as it is throughout his large film production.

ARAB MOVIE DAYS: The thriller Huda's Salon takes a feminist look at the position of women in the Israeli – occupied West Bank, while the distinctive family drama Costa Brava, Lebanon deals with Lebanon's ongoing waste crisis.

EUROPE: It is not the magazine's intention to dwell on Norway's affiliation with the EU. On the contrary. The exercise is inspired by the ongoing process in all EU countries with conferences and studies on the role and direction of EU co-operation. Is it possible to change the EU?

EUROPE: Europe and EU co-operation have developed in step with society's crises and challenges. On that occasion, MODERN TIMES has asked a number of Norwegian opinion leaders questions about the future of Europe. The EU's Green Deal shows leadership on the environment and climate, in addition to digital services. We ask which areas the EU should prioritize, with appropriate political, legal or industrial initiatives and forms of cooperation.

EUROPE: How can the EU, or the Council of Europe, play a leading role in power politics, and should the EU strengthen its security and defense policy cooperation? Or now with the Ukraine crisis, for example, to promote a pragmatic multilateralism rather than to hold on to all principles?

EUROPE: EU co-operation has developed in step with society's crises and challenges. But is it now high time for further reforms for the future of the EU? And is the right of veto really an obstacle?

THE GLOCAL: Citizens' councils can revitalize Europe. Their success depends both on their ability to strengthen the EU's participatory political processes, and on greater responsiveness to citizens' local communities. Here we look at how the first "European Commons Assembly" provided an opportunity for information-based political reforms together – based on social and ecological sustainability.

NEXT GENERATION EU: After prolonged covid-19 restrictions, a revitalization of the economy is high on the political agenda. The EU's "comeback strategy" is an economic recovery plan with 750 billion euros in grants and loan repayments. Are we heading into a federal era? And what lasting ecological measures can be taken in a fast, goal-focused turnaround operation?

EUROPE: Many argue that Europe should to a greater extent defend our fundamental values ​​such as freedom of expression and respect for the rule of law.

UKRAINE: What is it about our modern way of life that promotes such hostility and military-technological "solutions"?

DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT: By following four young demonstrators, the documentary Faceless comes very close to the protest demonstrations in Hong Kong in 2019.

CHRONICLE: What is the reason why the Norwegian people constantly choose oil over climate? And when it comes to the climate crisis, why do Storting politicians withhold significant information from the public?

MILITARISM: The Norwegian base declaration of 5 March 1949 was a first condition for Norwegian accession to NATO. Norway must deny the United States the base of armed forces on Norwegian territory in peacetime – The Storting must now reject the "supplementary agreement".

CHRONICLE: The American bases are a huge power factor that enables the US military hegemony in the world. Our geographical location should indicate a less provocative approach.

UKRAINE: What are the consequences of US and NATO expansion eastwards in Europe?

ART: Is there no longer anything of revealing or distorting?

WORK: Why are some "incompetent" employees deliberately set to do meaningless tasks? And are all the leaders as important as their high salaries suggest?

TECHNOLOGY: Can artificial intelligence be replaced by imperfect human judgment, and social disputes resolved through automated decision-making systems?