Protest Watch

Although it's likely that the protests occurring in Europe are for now the result of opportunistic malcontents, it will be interesting to see if the economic crisis begins to produce broader demonstrations. The Continent has a rich history of social protest, with middle class participation not at all unusual.

The unrest that has gripped Greece is spilling over into the rest of Europe, raising concerns the clashes could be a trigger for opponents of globalization, disaffected youth and others outraged by the continent's economic turmoil and soaring unemployment.

Protesters in Spain, Denmark and Italy smashed shop windows, pelted police with bottles and attacked banks this week, while in France, cars were set ablaze Thursday outside the Greek Consulate in Bordeaux, where protesters scrawled graffiti warning about a looming "insurrection."