"Has the U.S. Lost Interest In Europe?"

Precisely what we discussed.

Russia!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/world/europe/28crimea.html

A great article outlining Russia's conflict with Ukraine, one of the major issues plaguing Eastern Europe at the moment.

And in a completely different political tone, the Russians are promising to rebuild and reorganize the separatist Georgian territory with extensive economic aid:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/world/europe/13russia.html

Albania

First three of a (hopefully) five-part Slate series called "Dispatches"; basically someone goes somewhere and writes about it. Interesting stuff about Albania.

http://www.slate.com/id/2226840/entry/2226841/