Opinions

It’s official: Călin Georgescu’s campaign has Russia written all over it
It’s official: Călin Georgescu’s campaign has Russia written all over it

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.

Why did Romanian citizens in Moldova vote differently than the diaspora elsewhere in the West?
Why did Romanian citizens in Moldova vote differently than the diaspora elsewhere in the West?

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.

Reactions in Ukraine after the parliamentary election: Romania recovers from TikTok shock
Reactions in Ukraine after the parliamentary election: Romania recovers from TikTok shock

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.

Marin Gherman
02 Dec 2024
Dangerous Liaisons: Disinfo in Bulgaria Increasingly Targets Culture and Education
Dangerous Liaisons: Disinfo in Bulgaria Increasingly Targets Culture and Education

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.

Are Latvians getting weary of Ukrainian refugees?
Are Latvians getting weary of Ukrainian refugees?

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.

In Estonian politics, a battle for Narva has begun
In Estonian politics, a battle for Narva has begun

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.

Călin Georgescu: A
Călin Georgescu: A "back-up" prime minister, an admirer of the legionnaires, hostile to NATO and the EU

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.

Cezar Manu
25 Nov 2024
Poland as a Frontline Target in Russia’s Growing Sabotage Campaign
Poland as a Frontline Target in Russia’s Growing Sabotage Campaign

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.

What could a Trump White House mean for the greater Middle East
What could a Trump White House mean for the greater Middle East

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.

Cut out by the West, Russia bet on China and India. On the long run, it’s a poor bet
Cut out by the West, Russia bet on China and India. On the long run, it’s a poor bet

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.

Belarus: has longtime strongman Lukashenko found a successor?
Belarus: has longtime strongman Lukashenko found a successor?

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.

Russia and pro-Russians campaigning to seize power in Chisinau in 2025
Russia and pro-Russians campaigning to seize power in Chisinau in 2025

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.

The War Budget: How Much Will Russia Spend on Its Military and Where Will It Find the Funds?
The War Budget: How Much Will Russia Spend on Its Military and Where Will It Find the Funds?

Russia’s budget proposal for 2025-2027 confirms many analysts' bold predictions — it is, in essence, a budget for prolonged warfare.

Can Ukraine get the nuclear bomb?
Can Ukraine get the nuclear bomb?

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.

Belarus’ Growing Economic Dependence on Russia: Navigating a Precarious Future
Belarus’ Growing Economic Dependence on Russia: Navigating a Precarious Future

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.

A scandal among Russian emigrants casts a shadow over Latvia's legal institutions
A scandal among Russian emigrants casts a shadow over Latvia's legal institutions

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 defies the West and chooses escalation in relations with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia
Russia defies the West and chooses escalation in relations with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia

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.

Cosmin Popa
29 Oct 2024
The South Caucasus, a strategic region destabilized by Russia, Turkey and Iran
The South Caucasus, a strategic region destabilized by Russia, Turkey and Iran

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 Republic of Moldova – the Empire strikes back?
The Republic of Moldova – the Empire strikes back?

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

Ihor Lubianov
22 Oct 2024
Europe’s geopolitics, voice and sticks
Europe’s geopolitics, voice and sticks

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.

A year after their landslide victory, Polish reformists are borrowing from the populist playbook
A year after their landslide victory, Polish reformists are borrowing from the populist playbook

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.

Fractured Ties: How Sanctions Are Redefining EU-Russia Trade
Fractured Ties: How Sanctions Are Redefining EU-Russia Trade

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.

How Ceaușescu came back to life on TikTok
How Ceaușescu came back to life on TikTok

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.

“Trick or treat” – Lukashenko is trying to play old games with the West
“Trick or treat” – Lukashenko is trying to play old games with the West

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 nuclear fuel monopoly is mounting energy pressure on democratic countries
The nuclear fuel monopoly is mounting energy pressure on democratic countries

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.

'War on the airwaves': How militaries have hijacked civilian communications technologies
'War on the airwaves': How militaries have hijacked civilian communications technologies

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.

The Russian Dream “reunification plan” is a dream scenario for Russia
The Russian Dream “reunification plan” is a dream scenario for Russia

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.

Diana Shanava
04 Oct 2024
The Economy of Death: Russia’s Military Expansion and Its Human Cost
The Economy of Death: Russia’s Military Expansion and Its Human Cost

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.

Kaczyński and his party in big trouble
Kaczyński and his party in big trouble

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.

Why is Serbia seemingly trying to court Estonia?
Why is Serbia seemingly trying to court Estonia?

As Serbia’s relationship with the EU are tensed by a range of issue, including support for Russia, Belgrade is opening towards Estonia, one of Europe’s harshest Russia critics.

Moscow's “red lines”: Putin's imagination vs. the hard reality of war
Moscow's “red lines”: Putin's imagination vs. the hard reality of war

Russia is threatening to unleash a nuclear Armageddon if certain “red lines” are crossed to prevent the delivery of weapons to Ukraine. However, the threats do not seem as serious as Putin wants everyone to believe.

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