Opinions

The war in Ukraine left a mark on Latvia’s sports and culture
The war in Ukraine left a mark on Latvia’s sports and culture

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has become a kind of test of loyalty to Latvia for Latvian cultural and sports stars. Those who have “flirted” or even collaborated with Russia have fallen out of favor.

The USA and Ukraine’s mineral resources: it’s complicated
The USA and Ukraine’s mineral resources: it’s complicated

Ukraine and the USA could soon sign an agreement regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources, especially rare earths. However, it is unclear how large the deposits are, and a significant part of them are located in areas occupied by the Russians.

Ihor Lubianov
22 Apr 2025
Estonia launches crusade against the Moscow Patriarchate
Estonia launches crusade against the Moscow Patriarchate

Amid the war in Ukraine, Estonia wants its Orthodox Church to cut ties with the Russian Patriarchy. The initiative could be unconstitutional.

Chaos, Theater, and the Race for Poland’s Presidency
Chaos, Theater, and the Race for Poland’s Presidency

The election campaign in Poland is marked by bizarre candidates, debates unrelated to the president's duties, and the influence of Russian narratives and MAGA ideology.

Trump’s tariffs and the European Union: the good news and the bad news
Trump’s tariffs and the European Union: the good news and the bad news

The EU appears to be the rational and moral actor, abiding by the rules, in contrast to an unpredictable Donald Trump. As the so-called US soft power declines, the EU will gain geopolitical leverage.

The Illusion of Return: Western Brands, Russian Hopes, and the Mirage of Normality
The Illusion of Return: Western Brands, Russian Hopes, and the Mirage of Normality

Russians are hoping for an easing of sanctions and the return of big Western brands to the Russian market. Is this a real prospect – or simply a collective wish disguised as news?

Although increasingly isolated and frail, Lukashenko clings to power
Although increasingly isolated and frail, Lukashenko clings to power

Alexander Lukashenko’s looked frail and isolated at his 7th inauguration as Belarus president, consumed by old obsessions and leaning on his personal clan. The ceremony told more about the state of affairs in the regime than the dictator himself wanted it to.

Why ending the war may be more dangerous for Russia than continuing it
Why ending the war may be more dangerous for Russia than continuing it

In today’s Russia, ending the war in Ukraine may bring economic and social turmoil so profound that peace could pose greater risks to Kremlin than the conflict itself.

Will Trump continue to approach Russia if Putin refuses to make peace?
Will Trump continue to approach Russia if Putin refuses to make peace?

A good relationship with Russia would help the US isolate China. But Putin's decision to continue the war in Ukraine could convince Washington that Europe remains its most important partner.

Cosmin Popa
02 Apr 2025
America, Europe and the (im)possible rift
America, Europe and the (im)possible rift

World wars have transformed the USA into a “European power”. Its desire to free itself of Europe’s influence, fueled by suspicion and frustration, has always endured in American society.

Sofia: How Pro-Russians Used the Killing of a Bulgarian in Gaza
Sofia: How Pro-Russians Used the Killing of a Bulgarian in Gaza

Pro-rușii din Bulgaria au profitat de tăcerea pro-europenilor pentru a exploata în scop politic uciderea unui angajat bulgar al ONU în Fâșia Gaza.

The longest protest: Georgians continue to take to the streets for a future in the EU
The longest protest: Georgians continue to take to the streets for a future in the EU

For four months, Georgians have been protesting daily against the abandonment of the European path by a government seen as pro-Russian. The increasingly harsh response of the authorities has failed to deter the protesters.

Diana Shanava
28 Mar 2025
The shift in U.S. policy disrupts Estonian politics
The shift in U.S. policy disrupts Estonian politics

Amidst the uncertainties surrounding American security guarantees, Estonia is also marked by a political crisis. The country’s far right is the only one who seems pleased with the new developments.

Back to counting tanks: Europe’s new economic priorities
Back to counting tanks: Europe’s new economic priorities

The share of military expenditures in the GDP of European Union countries is set to rise, bringing Europe back to an era where security was defined not by investments in education or the green economy but by the number of tanks, aircraft, and soldiers.

Will Russia Choose Poland’s Next President?
Will Russia Choose Poland’s Next President?

The specter of foreign interference looms large over Poland’s upcoming presidential election. Will Warsaw face a rerun of the Romanian scenario, where Russian actors disrupted elections? And more importantly, is Poland prepared to withstand the onslaught?

Turkey’s war with PKK and corruption, a pretext for anti-democratic blunders
Turkey’s war with PKK and corruption, a pretext for anti-democratic blunders

The arrest of the Turkish opposition leader and a series of attacks against Kurdish militants suggest that, for the Erdoğan regime, maintaining power overrides external credibility.

Europe’s defense capacity: the Ukraine test
Europe’s defense capacity: the Ukraine test

The signals coming from the US regarding Ukraine and the transatlantic commitments are forcing Europeans to rethink their security. Obstacles: costs of hundreds of billions and extremists’ boycott.

In the Trump era, the Baltic States must rethink their security
In the Trump era, the Baltic States must rethink their security

While some argue that the Baltic States have been abandoned by a major strategic partner, others insist on the need for Europe to become more militarily independent.

The
The "Potemkin" Economy: How Moscow Masks Its Economic Problems with Statistics

Official statistics show that Russia's economy is growing despite war and Western sanctions. In fact, economic problems are piling up and Russia risks recession.

Hitler, rock bands, and the social media: how does censorship work in Belarus
Hitler, rock bands, and the social media: how does censorship work in Belarus

Belarus has an ever increasing list of items deemed extremist, ranging from reasonable ones, like Hitler’s Mein Kampf, to rock songs that authorities see as being critical to Lukashenko’s regime.

"Death lists", political crime and the obsessive fascination with fascism

The practice of compiling “blacklists”  has reemerged in Romania. Such lists were used by legionnaires and communists to take out their opponents. The former provoked a spiral of political violence and death.

The Apocalypse didn’t happen: the Baltic states disconnected from Russia’s power grid
The Apocalypse didn’t happen: the Baltic states disconnected from Russia’s power grid

On February 8, the Baltic states completely disconnected their power grids from Russia’s and switched to the European grid. Contrary to concerns, this transition did not cause any major complications.

How Bulgaria’s Politicians Quickly Mastered Trumpian English
How Bulgaria’s Politicians Quickly Mastered Trumpian English

The ruling GERB party, marred in the past by corruption allegations but with a pro-European discourse, is embracing some ideas of pro-Russian extremists and seems ready to adapt to Washington's new policy.

Officials in Georgia are delighted by the US change of tone towards Ukraine
Officials in Georgia are delighted by the US change of tone towards Ukraine

After its anti-democratic and anti-Ukrainian blunders compromised its relations with the West, the Georgian Dream hopes to be able to "reset" its relations with the US, now that it is led by Donald Trump.

Diana Shanava
03 Mar 2025
Poland: navigating the Trump era at NATO’s border with war torn Ukraine
Poland: navigating the Trump era at NATO’s border with war torn Ukraine

For years, Poland has been forging close ties with both the US and Ukraine, regarding both as vital to its security. Changes in Washington’s policy are forcing Warsaw to rethink its future, but Polish politicians can’t seem to be able overcome their differences.

Legionnaire-style blacklists, a method adopted by Romania’s communists and sovereignists
Legionnaire-style blacklists, a method adopted by Romania’s communists and sovereignists

The so-called “blacklists” have recently remerged in Romania – they are particularly circulated by Călin Georgescu’s supporters. In Romania, blacklists have a rather dark history, as they were used by extremists to take out their opponents.

Cezar Manu
27 Feb 2025
And yet, he called: Putin, Trump, and Russia’s strange longstanding fascination with the US
And yet, he called: Putin, Trump, and Russia’s strange longstanding fascination with the US

Despite being antagonistic to the US, the Kremlin craves Washington’s attention, just as the Soviets and the Tsars did in their time. And Putin suddenly finds common grounds between his regime and Trumpism.

"Never stop panicking!": New US policy worries Russia's neighbors

The Trump administration's signals about a US policy toward Moscow, Ukraine, and the EU are causing concern in Russia's neighborhood, from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea.

Veridica
24 Feb 2025
Experts: Latvia’s defense must be ready for anything
Experts: Latvia’s defense must be ready for anything

Latvia must be prepared for everything in its defense: in the short term for versatile hybrid attacks, and in the long term even for a broader and more direct attack.

Against the background of external pressure, Ukraine is also on the verge of a political crisis
Against the background of external pressure, Ukraine is also on the verge of a political crisis

Retreating from the front, with a population increasingly feeling the war fatigue, ignored by the US, which has launched bilateral peace talks with Russia, Ukraine is also on the verge of a political crisis.

Marin Gherman
19 Feb 2025
The war in Ukraine is making Russia dependent on migrants
The war in Ukraine is making Russia dependent on migrants

As young Russians are sent to the front or fleeing the country, Russia’s economy needs migrants. But the latter are a target for extremists and populist politicians.

Why Brussels is silent (even when it speaks) about and with Donald Trump
Why Brussels is silent (even when it speaks) about and with Donald Trump

Brussels is dismayed by the measures and positions taken by Trump. In the new geopolitical context, the EU is emerging as the last bastion of liberal democracies.

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