Opinions

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.

Russia both criticizes and fuels Romania’s neo-Nazism
Russia both criticizes and fuels Romania’s neo-Nazism

A recent report published by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Romania’s “neo-Nazism” and describes as state policies the actions of certain pro-Russian extremists, including figures praised and cited by Kremlin propaganda.

Cezar Manu
25 Sep 2024
Between Profit and Principle: The Dilemma of Foreign Businesses in Russia
Between Profit and Principle: The Dilemma of Foreign Businesses in Russia

Sanctions and public pressure generated by the invasion of Ukraine forced many Western companies to leave the Russian market. However, there are enough investors who chose to stay, drawn by its potential.

Belarusian ultras opposing Lukashenko are now fighting for Ukraine
Belarusian ultras opposing Lukashenko are now fighting for Ukraine

Ultras have been at odds with Lukashenko over his clampdown on national identity, Covid policies and rigging of elections. Fleeing persecution at home, some found their way to the frontlines of the war in Ukraine.

Are the EU and China heading for a trade war?
Are the EU and China heading for a trade war?

The first "shots" have already been fired: the EU is preparing taxes for the Chinese electric ve-hicles, and Beijing is investigating European subsidies for some products exported to China.

An ongoing challenge: connecting the Baltic countries to the EU
An ongoing challenge: connecting the Baltic countries to the EU

After two decades in the EU and NATO, the Baltic States din not yet fully connect their infrastructure with that of their partners. The railway infrastructure is particularly problematic.

Russia's Shadow Fleet: A Response to Sanctions and a New Business Model
Russia's Shadow Fleet: A Response to Sanctions and a New Business Model

O flotă de petroliere „fantomă” a ajutat Rusia să evite sancțiunile occidentale și să-și vândă petrolul astfel încât acesta să ajungă pe piețele globale.

The new nuclear arms race
The new nuclear arms race

Russia, China and the United States, as well as smaller countries, appear to have all enrolled in a new nuclear arms race. The typical Cold War rhetoric is also back, with Russia threatening to use its strategic arsenal.

The Kursk offensive, one month on: how it shaped the perception of the war in Russia and Ukraine
The Kursk offensive, one month on: how it shaped the perception of the war in Russia and Ukraine

The Kursk offensive succeeded in raising Ukrainians’ morale, both on the frontlines and at home. Moreover, it has made many Russians wonder if the war is unfolding as well as they are told.

Marin Gherman
06 Sep 2024
The importance of critical and strategic materials for China's hybrid warfare
The importance of critical and strategic materials for China's hybrid warfare

China seeks to achieve its economic and geostrategic ambitions by controlling the market for critical minerals and boosting its energy output.

Estonia is debating whether to send back fighting-age Ukrainian refugees
Estonia is debating whether to send back fighting-age Ukrainian refugees

As Estonian resources for refugees are dwindling, and Ukraine is increasing efforts to draft fighting-age men that have left the country, there’s a debate whether Talinn should send refugees back home.

In Bulgaria, the EU dream is gradually turning into a RU nightmare
In Bulgaria, the EU dream is gradually turning into a RU nightmare

After Bulgaria’s parliament approved a controversial ban against “LGBTQ+ propaganda” in schools, both pro-Russia and populist pro-EU parties are eying a Russian-styled “foreign agents” law.

The Middle East has avoided a major war, but extremists are still fueling the conflict
The Middle East has avoided a major war, but extremists are still fueling the conflict

The threat of a major war in the Middle East has diminished after the latest missile barrage exchange between Israel and Hezbollah. However, Muslim and Israeli extremists are blocking peace talks in Gaza and the long-term settlement of disputes in the region.

Mission: Polish Greta Thunberg
Mission: Polish Greta Thunberg

A little girl accredited as a journalist in Poland's parliament has sparked debates about the limits of freedom of expression, the involvement of children in politics and their manipulation by adults, including their own parents.

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