Opinions

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.

August 23, 1944, a turning point in Romania’s history constantly seen through a political lens
August 23, 1944, a turning point in Romania’s history constantly seen through a political lens

Ion Antonescu’s arrest and Romania turning arms against Nazi Germany were two events that have been permanently interpreted through the lens of politics, to the detriment of a critical analysis, free from ideological constraints.

Cosmin Popa
23 Aug 2024
Was Georgia’s shadow ruler really marked for assassination?
Was Georgia’s shadow ruler really marked for assassination?

Tbilisi claims that oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili was targeted for assassination by a cabal that also tried to kill Donald Trump and Slovakia’s Robert Fico. Georgia’s opposition says this is nonsense.

Diana Shanava
21 Aug 2024
Bloated kulaks and evil-minded Americans: satirical propaganda in communist Romania
Bloated kulaks and evil-minded Americans: satirical propaganda in communist Romania

Graphic or militant (political) satire was one of the main methods of castigating the enemy of the people in communist systems.

The Paris Olympics: dinner, bread, circus, TV and networks
The Paris Olympics: dinner, bread, circus, TV and networks

Politicians have always sought to take advantage of the prestige the Olympic Games bring, using it to get their messages across. Tyrants like Hitler and democratic leaders like Emmanuel Macron made no exception.

How Russia Bypasses Sanctions
How Russia Bypasses Sanctions

How Russia is living under sanctions, how it circumvents them, and what lessons a market economy can draw from this experience?

Russian politicians in Estonia are tested with doubly severe rigor
Russian politicians in Estonia are tested with doubly severe rigor

After Prime Minister Kaja Kallas decided to move to work in European structures, the Estonian government cabinet changed. The new Minister of Infrastructure position was unexpectedly awarded to a Russian-speaking politician, Vladimir Svet.

The Silent Front: Meet Those Who Are “Dreaming in Bulgarian” in Moldova and Ukraine
The Silent Front: Meet Those Who Are “Dreaming in Bulgarian” in Moldova and Ukraine

“Dreaming in Bulgarian” is an exhibition in Sofia by photographer Mihaela Aroyo, based on her years-long research of the community of Bassarabian Bulgarians in Moldova and Ukraine

The Hezbollah-Israel conflict: what is the arsenal of the “Party of God”?
The Hezbollah-Israel conflict: what is the arsenal of the “Party of God”?

Hezbollah fighters can be a dangerous foe, even for one of the world’s best equipped and most prepared armies, the Israel Defense Forces.

Did the Georgian Dream end Georgia’s European dream?
Did the Georgian Dream end Georgia’s European dream?

Following the US announcement to review bilateral relations with Georgia, the EU announced the suspension of the country's accession to the European Union. The party of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili will no longer be able to use the successes of European integration in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Diana Shanava
26 Jul 2024
Polish internet is full of Pro-Russian propaganda and Poland seems helpless
Polish internet is full of Pro-Russian propaganda and Poland seems helpless

Pro-Russian communication channels have significantly infiltrated the Internet and social media platforms in Poland and Eastern European countries.

Reporting from Ukraine: Pokrovsk, the Russians' main target in Donetsk
Reporting from Ukraine: Pokrovsk, the Russians' main target in Donetsk

Almost two years after announcing it would annex four regions of Ukraine, Russia is still trying to fully occupy the marked territories.

Alex Craiu
24 Jul 2024
Latvia and China: restrained relationship with no hope of sincerity
Latvia and China: restrained relationship with no hope of sincerity

With the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Latvia's relations with China have become even more restrained than before, and things are unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.

Belarus is a country under sanctions. How does its economy, society, and state survive?
Belarus is a country under sanctions. How does its economy, society, and state survive?

So far, Western sanctions had little impact on Belarus’ economy. However, they made the country increasingly dependent on Russia and they caused new rifts within the society.

Two Romanian history lessons for Putin’s local admirers
Two Romanian history lessons for Putin’s local admirers

Russian propaganda is now fixed on Romania and Moldova. The Kremlin is reiterating a number of older Soviet narratives, such as the one on Moldovenism, while at the same time spreading new lies, for instance claiming Romania has allegedly given Moscow its treasure.

Cosmin Popa
16 Jul 2024
Four questions regarding the presidential election and the referendum in the Republic of Moldova
Four questions regarding the presidential election and the referendum in the Republic of Moldova

Există o serie de semne de întrebare legate de alegeri, de la numărul de alegători – important pentru validarea scrutinelor – până la actorii care se vor putea înscrie în cursă și desemnarea unui candidat unic al opoziției pro-ruse.

UEFA is ignoring the political clampdown against Belarusian football players
UEFA is ignoring the political clampdown against Belarusian football players

Dozens of players have been harassed by authorities in Belarus since 2020. UEFA didn’t react, while allowing EURO 2024 games to be broadcast by state propaganda media.

Moldova and Ukraine in the EU: political will vs. the reality on the ground
Moldova and Ukraine in the EU: political will vs. the reality on the ground

The launch of EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova shows there is political will in the EU for the two countries to join. The process itself, however, could be complicated and lengthy.

The age of gerontocracy: are senior leaders a solution or part of the problem?
The age of gerontocracy: are senior leaders a solution or part of the problem?

From the USA to China and Russia, from India to the Middle East, political leaders are over 70. Can they still make use of their experience to their advantage, or are they unable to adapt and have thus become a source of problems?

With Ukraine in mind, Latvia is teaching its people what to do in case of war
With Ukraine in mind, Latvia is teaching its people what to do in case of war

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to fuel worries about Moscow’s aggressive stance, Latvia issued a manual telling civilians what to do if war breaks out, or simply put, how to prepare for a potential hour X and what to do when it happens.

The Georgian Dream plays the Chinese card against the West
The Georgian Dream plays the Chinese card against the West

Against the backdrop of a crisis in Georgia's relations with the West, Tbilisi is increasing ties with China, which is now building a strategic deep water port on the Black Sea.

Diana Shanava
01 Jul 2024
Is EU’s foreign policy heading towards “Estonization”?
Is EU’s foreign policy heading towards “Estonization”?

As Estonia’s Kaja Kallas is set to take over the top EU diplomat job from Josep Borrell, some expect a EU foreign policy more focused – and tougher – on Russia.

Romanian authorities and gas companies snub the European Union gas market
Romanian authorities and gas companies snub the European Union gas market

Europe’s energy market remains vulnerable, but Member States are making efforts to curb their dependency on Russia. Meanwhile, Romania is unable to capitalize on its assets.

Poland: how, in spite of their anti-Russian rhetoric, PiS directed money to pro-Russians
Poland: how, in spite of their anti-Russian rhetoric, PiS directed money to pro-Russians

During PiS’ years in power, public money were funneled to the party, the Church, and various far-right groups. Some of those that benefited were openely pro-Russian.

BRICS and anti-Western frustrations
BRICS and anti-Western frustrations

Under the Russian presidency, BRICS is getting ready for its biggest summit yet. But the organization that wants an alternative to the Western economic order, has little chance of upsetting it anytime soon.

The Georgian Dream is gambling its political future by moving away from the West
The Georgian Dream is gambling its political future by moving away from the West

Though most Georgians support Euro-Atlantic integration, the ruling Georgian Dream forced a Russian-inspired law to silence civil society and is increasingly critical of the West. Georgia's EU partners are warning that the law will hinder the country's path to European integration, while the United States is talking about revising bilateral relations and introducing personal sanctions against Georgian officials.

Diana Shanava
18 Jun 2024
Russia is intensifying its hybrid war against Moldova. Chisinau responds with the help of the West
Russia is intensifying its hybrid war against Moldova. Chisinau responds with the help of the West

Moscow is hosting the opposition led by the criminal Ilan Shor and accuses Chisinau of Nazism, as it did with Ukraine. Moldova responds through security agreements with the West, from which it gets political and financial support.

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