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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Cook: Traveling Europe With Cicadas and Cannibals

BRUSSELS, Belgium – This morning I woke up in Belgium, thinking of cannibalism and cicadas.

Let me explain.

Earlier this year, I was given a big-hearted gift: a three-week, five-city tour of Europe, sponsored by the Marshall Memorial Fellowship.

Hoping to foster trans-Atlantic relationships, the fellowship selects several dozen Americans each year to travel through Europe and meet inspiring leaders, rabble-rousers and policymakers.

Chattanooga, thanks to the graceful leadership of Eleanor Cooper, is a nominating and host city. Twice a year, several Europeans spend four days in the Scenic City while we send two Chattanoogans – like last year’s Fellows Stephen Culp and Chantelle Roberson – across the pond.