Thus The Economist today. “Europe’s divisions are indeed grave,” the mighty newspaper adds, “but counting the ex-communist countries as a single category is outdated and damaging.” The map that comes along with the argument shows Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia in blue and Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia in green. The first batch is in the European Union already, while the second batch is at its threshold. Parenthetically, Croatia should have been in yet another color, for it is already over the threshold with one foot. Anyhow, The Economist argues that a plethora of more meaningful divisions of the region are available at this time. Much of the argument makes sense, no doubt, but the question remains whether or not Eastern Europe can be scrapped just like that. Habits formed over about a century cannot be changed by an argument, no matter how forceful. But I have a splendid idea. The term “Eastern Europe” should be prohibited by international law. Penalties for using it should be harsh. At least those in the region would know exactly what to make of it. The term would soon disappear without a trace.