New Old World: An Indian Journalist Discovers the Changing Face of Europe

Aiyar (Smoke and Mirrors) arrives in Belgium at the beginning of a building European Crisis. This fiscal crisis sharpens the realities of the social issues that arise when there is an attempt to tie such varying cultures with contrasting levels of economic development. Once the crisis began to unveil, the preexisting tendencies toward nationalistic exclusivity start to become more prominent. Aiyar asserts that the crisis goes beyond a fiscal one, that it is instead "an existential crisis for the European Project." This work walks us through the dilemma with all of the nuances that culminate to show the larger picture. Having spent nearly a decade honing her journalistic talents in a nation on the rise, Aiyar ably uses the contrast to paint a clear picture. This unique perspective affords the author the opportunity to report with fresh eyes. She helps the reader get a feel for the societal differences, immigration issues, global warming concerns, Germany's ascent, and the relationships with China and India to give a holistic look at this situation.