A battle between the people and the [ruling Georgian Dream] Party is being fought on the streets of Georgian cities. The stake: Georgia’s path towards the EU vs. a return to Russia’s orbit.
A key piece in the so-called "axis of resistance" built in recent decades by Iran has fallen. Russia loses its most important Arab ally in the Middle East. The future of Syria, uncertain. Risk of regional war.
Declassified documents presented by Romanian intelligence prove that Călin Georgescu is supported by a state actor. The state in question is not named, but its actions are similar to operations previously carried out by Russia.
Pro-European right-wing parties in Romania grabbed large numbers of votes in Moldova, while the Romanian diaspora opted for sovereigntist forces. Experts believe that sovereigntists were rejected because they are hostile to Ukraine.
Ukrainian observers have noted that Romania remains pro-European, while the risk remains that, if elected, president Georgescu might turn the country into a state similar to Orban's Hungary.
A far-right protest in Sofia against a XIX century play directed by John Malkovich brought to the spotlight the disinformation and propaganda campaign targeting Bulgaria’s culture and education.
Ukrainian refugees in Latvia have generally been well received, but there were also some displays of hostility. Experts warn a long-term integration program is needed for the refugees.
Although Russia is a threat to Estonia, Russian speakers here have voted for pro-Russian politicians in the legislative elections. They now want to win the main Russian-speaking city, Narva, in the local elections.
Georgescu was once considered a technocrat with a solid international career. When that career ended, he adopted a pro-Russian and anti-Western discourse and expressed his admiration for Ion Antonescu and Corneliu Zelea Codreanu.
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Against the background of the war in Ukraine, Russia is stepping up hybrid attacks against NATO countries. Being at the forefront of Russia’s campaign, Poland has been facing an increasing number of sabotages.
The names floated for the incoming Trump administration suggest that the greater Middle East will remain a focus for Washington. An attention that Iran and Turkey do not like.
Despite Western sanctions, Russia managed to keep its economy afloat by switching its trade flows to China and India. However, on the long run that makes the Russian economy more vulnerable.
Alexander Lukashenko may be grooming the head of his presidential administration, Dmitry Krutoy, to be his successor. Krutoy is considered to be staunchly pro-Russian.
The pro-Russian parties have launched the campaign for the legislative elections that will take place in 2025 in the Republic of Moldova with disinformation, claiming that Maia Sandu is not a legitimate president. The stake: the European path of the country.
Russia’s budget proposal for 2025-2027 confirms many analysts' bold predictions — it is, in essence, a budget for prolonged warfare.
Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees that Russia violated with its 2014 invasion. President Zelensky has recently said his country could rebuild its nuclear arsenal.
Minsk's illusion of economic sovereignty appears to be eroding rapidly. Although the connection to Russia may seem beneficial in the short term, in the long term it will hamper Belarus' economic growth.
An attack against an Alexey Navalny associate brought to light Latvian police corruption, divisions among Russia’s opposition and Latvian reserves regarding the latter.
Russia has also co-opted North Korea in the war against Ukraine and is stepping up its operations in Moldova and Georgia. Moscow seems to be preparing for a final showdown against the West.
The South Caucasus has a strategic position between Asia and the Black Sea, but its stability – and prosperity – are blocked by the three powers vying for influence there: Russia, Turkey and Iran.
The referendum on Moldova’s EU accession was a failure due to the tiny margin, the Ukrainian press writes. The causes of this failure include Russia’s direct actions and the fact that there’s been no de-Russification in Moldova
Russia's aggressiveness, China's expansion or the wars in the Middle East have all shown that the EU doesn’t have yet all it takes to be a relevant geopolitical player, although it aspires to this position.
Many of the changes promised by Poland’s pro-EU reformists are still to be seen. Insted, prime-minister Donald Tusk has started to talk in terms that remind of the conservatives his coalition defeated.
Traditional trade relations have been disrupted after the invasion of Ukraine by sanctions that affect not only the EU and Russia, but also dozens of third countries that have been caught in the middle.
Nicolae Ceaușescu, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and Ion Antonescu have tens of thousands of followers on TikTok, and their videos account for only a fraction of those that promote extremist discourse and false narratives.
As Belarus is feeling the bite of Western sanctions, it seems that the Lukashenko regime is trying to improve relations with the West by “trading out” some political prisoners.
The West's transition to clean energy could be exploited by Russia and China, which dominate the global markets for nuclear fuel and rare metals.
Starlink, Telegram, pagers, mobile phones and 5G antennas are among the equipment and applications for the civilian market that have attracted the attention of militaries and intelligence services.
What the West could learn from their experience
Georgia’s de facto leader Bidzina Ivanishvili wants Tbilisi to apologize for the 2008 war Russia waged against his country. In return he promises Georgia’s reunification under a scenario that would benefit Moscow.
Russia needs recruits to cover its heavy losses on the Ukrainian front. To avoid an unpopular mobilization, Moscow has created an economy of death, in which Russians stake their lives for money.
Law and Justice (PiS) is getting into more and more trouble – the party is shaken by scandals connected to its eight-year rule, financial problems, and increasingly strong internal conflicts.
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