primero
first, firstly
segundo
second, secondly
tercero
third, thirdly
el tema
subject, topic, theme
el problema
problem
la crisis
crisis
la cuesti贸m
question (for discussion), issue
en primer/segundo/tercer lugar
in the first/second/third place
de antemano
beforehand
tenemos que preguntarnos
we have to ask ourselves
a primera vista
at first sight
a corto/largo plazo
in the short/long term
ordenar los datos
to get the facts in order
despejar el terreno
to clear the ground
驴de qu茅 se trata?
what is it about
resumir el tema/la cuesti贸n
to summarise the issue
afrontar el tema/la situaci贸n
to face up to the issue/situation
el problema que se plantea es
the problem to be addressed/that arises is
es un tema que ya me preocupa/interesa desde hace alg煤n tiempo
it is a topic that has been concerning/interesting me for some time now
una situaci贸n inquietante
a worrying situation
la preocupaci贸n dominante
the main worry/concern