That there’s less blogging going on in August. On the other hand, you may already be en vacance and not have noticed.

In any event, a number of AFOE people got together in Paris this weekend just past. Alas, I was not one of them, so I can neither confirm nor deny that new innovations, guests, posts, seminars or interviews were discussed, planned or possibly even confirmed. You’ll just have to wait. For all I know, they just had a great time and completely neglected to discuss AFOE.

The world, of course, doesn’t stop for August. Last I checked: the intergovernmental conference was well under way and working on a reform treaty for the EU, text to be completed by the end of the year; Europe still did not have an Iraq policy; Turkey still has a good claim on membership; likewise Ukraine; Russia and Belarus had settled their latest gas-related spat, but Lukashenka’s regime was far from sustainable; Russia was also suspending its observance of the treaty on conventional forces in Europe; and demographic trends were good news for Polish plumbers (at home and abroad), but worrying over the long term.

On the other hand, it’s summertime. Why not enjoy?