This Swedish goat can’t be burned
Europe is generally a peaceful place, consumed not by wars but by intense if arcane debates over immigration, agricultural subsidies and welfare benefits. So with little real chaos to report, goofy stories like this one tend to become front-page news: A Swedish straw goat frequently attacked by vandals over the Christmas period has been taken ...
Europe is generally a peaceful place, consumed not by wars but by intense if arcane debates over immigration, agricultural subsidies and welfare benefits. So with little real chaos to report, goofy stories like this one tend to become front-page news: A Swedish straw goat frequently attacked by vandals over the Christmas period has been taken down - unharmed - at the end of festivities. The giant 13m (43ft) goat in the city of Gavle was dismantled after surviving Christmas for only the 11th time. Goats of Christmas past have been burned down on 22 occasions, ram-raided or simply smashed to pieces. Authorities said the goat's longevity in 2006 was down to a special flame-resistant chemical coating.
It's now the #3 most-emailed story on the BBC's news site.
Europe is generally a peaceful place, consumed not by wars but by intense if arcane debates over immigration, agricultural subsidies and welfare benefits. So with little real chaos to report, goofy stories like this one tend to become front-page news:
A Swedish straw goat frequently attacked by vandals over the Christmas period has been taken down – unharmed – at the end of festivities. The giant 13m (43ft) goat in the city of Gavle was dismantled after surviving Christmas for only the 11th time. Goats of Christmas past have been burned down on 22 occasions, ram-raided or simply smashed to pieces. Authorities said the goat’s longevity in 2006 was down to a special flame-resistant chemical coating.
It’s now the #3 most-emailed story on the BBC’s news site.
More from Foreign Policy


Lessons for the Next War
Twelve experts weigh in on how to prevent, deter, and—if necessary—fight the next conflict.


It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse
Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.


Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.


Congrats, You’re a Member of Congress. Now Listen Up.
Some brief foreign-policy advice for the newest members of the U.S. legislature.