Opinions

In the war between Israel and Hamas, Turkey picked the losing card.
In the war between Israel and Hamas, Turkey picked the losing card.

Turkey refused to condemn Hamas’ attack and criticized Israel in hopes of electoral gains for Erdoğan's Islamists. However, Turkey's regional interests will suffer.

Latvians still support Ukraine, but many lost their enthusiasm
Latvians still support Ukraine, but many lost their enthusiasm

The Latvians have been less involved lately in helping Ukrainians, as the war fatigue and domestic economic problems are taking their toll. However, the level of support is still high.

Climate change revisionism, boosted by populism and “economic interests”
Climate change revisionism, boosted by populism and “economic interests”

Populist rhetoric defending “economic interests” and the real economic costs undermine the fight against climate change, fueling climate revisionism.

Sanctions targeting Russia are bypassed by EU entities. The Estonian case
Sanctions targeting Russia are bypassed by EU entities. The Estonian case

Estonia has pleaded tough sanctions against Russia, and yet Estonian entities and persons – even from the Prime minister’s family – have been breaking some of the existing sanctions.

Will the Israel-Hamas war have the same effect as Yom Kippur?
Will the Israel-Hamas war have the same effect as Yom Kippur?

The war pitting Israel against Hamas could produce long-lasting effects, from a resurge of Islamist terrorism and compromising any hope of reconciliation between Israel and Arab countries, to the destabilization of the entire Middle East.

Will Israel's wartime government save Netanyahu's political future?
Will Israel's wartime government save Netanyahu's political future?

Israelis were shocked that Hamas had organized such a large-scale attack without the security services finding out. Will Netanyahu pay the political price for this failure, or will the formation of an emergency government save him?

(Pro)Russian propaganda sees connections between biological weapons and the Nova Kakhovka dam
(Pro)Russian propaganda sees connections between biological weapons and the Nova Kakhovka dam

Russia has claimed for years that Ukraine has biological laboratories and says its attack was meant to destroy those labs. The narrative was also included in the disinformation about the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.

Ukraine wants a nuclear incident: one of Russia's major fake narratives
Ukraine wants a nuclear incident: one of Russia's major fake narratives

The (Pro)Russians claim that Ukraine will cause a nuclear incident. The narrative is meant to undermine support for Kiev and has been promoted in Eastern Europe as well.

Georgia: a “coup plot”, the president’s impeachment and a looming rejection by the EU
Georgia: a “coup plot”, the president’s impeachment and a looming rejection by the EU

As experts warn that Georgia will not be granted EU candidate status this year, authorities allege there was a coup plot and the parliament impeaches the president.

Diana Shanava
02 Oct 2023
The swan song of secular Turkey? A perspective from Izmir
The swan song of secular Turkey? A perspective from Izmir

A century after its founding, the Turkish Republic is drifting further and further away from the secular values that formed its foundation, while ethno-religious nationalism is gaining ground.

Will Estonia take the lead in rare earth metal mining?
Will Estonia take the lead in rare earth metal mining?

Estonia could become a powerhouse in the strategic rare earth metals industry. Environmental concerns, outside competition, and opposition to mining are threatening that potential.

Russia, helped by the West’s wavering and ex-Soviet states
Russia, helped by the West’s wavering and ex-Soviet states

The protracted war in Ukraine has made Western countries willing to cooperate with Russia increasingly vocal. These countries persevere despite the sanctions, although they face countless other problems.

Cosmin Popa
18 Sep 2023
Mircea Snegur, president of independent Moldova. Did he play Russia’s game?
Mircea Snegur, president of independent Moldova. Did he play Russia’s game?

The first President of the Republic of Moldova, Mircea Snegur, died aged 83. He was praised for his role in achieving the independence, but he was also accused of being Russia’s inside man.

The El Niño effect: 2024 will face a more brutal climate than 2023
The El Niño effect: 2024 will face a more brutal climate than 2023

The heat records of 2023 will likely be broken in 2023, when the effects of the El Niño ocean warming phenomenon will be felt in full.

Georgia is increasingly dependent on Russia despite its European aspirations
Georgia is increasingly dependent on Russia despite its European aspirations

Georgia is increasingly economically dependent on Russia, which generates security risks for Tbilisi. There are also concerns that Moscow is circumventing Western sanctions through Georgia.

Diana Shanava
25 Aug 2023
Breaking segregation: Estonia’s controversial education reform
Breaking segregation: Estonia’s controversial education reform

Estonia has one of the world’s best education systems but it’s only for Estonian speakers. There’s a parallel system for Russian speakers, which authorities now want to eliminate.

Cutting carbon-gas emissions won’t cool down the Earth. What can be done?
Cutting carbon-gas emissions won’t cool down the Earth. What can be done?

The record-high temperatures suggest global warming has picked up speed. It could be stopped by curtailing emissions, although other solutions are needed to cool down the Earth.

Latvia is mobilizing: national defense service will be mandatory
Latvia is mobilizing: national defense service will be mandatory

Latvia is making participation in the state defense service (SDS) mandatory, as part of a larger drive to strenghten its security.

Turkey after Vilnius: Is the westward shift still in the cards?
Turkey after Vilnius: Is the westward shift still in the cards?

After winning the election, president Erdoğan announced Turkey will stop vetoing Sweden’s NATO accession bid. What prompted this 180-degree shift and what did Turkey get in return?

Germany adopts the “Strategy on China”: the first document underlying the New Bipolar World Order
Germany adopts the “Strategy on China”: the first document underlying the New Bipolar World Order

After earlier this summer, the federal government of Germany presented its new security strategy, Olaf Scholz’s Cabinet has now released a national strategy on China, which marks a new first for Berlin.

The Estonian Northeast is moving the economy to a European footing
The Estonian Northeast is moving the economy to a European footing

Once a major Soviet industrial center, Ida-Viruuma comes back to life, due to the European funds.

Chișinău: Ceban poses as a pro-European mayor, albeit at the expense of the FSB
Chișinău: Ceban poses as a pro-European mayor, albeit at the expense of the FSB

The Republic of Moldova remains the target of Moscow’s active measures. Certain pro-Russian politicians in Chișinău with good chances of securing high office are being counselled by the FSB.

Putin’s regime, threatened by pro-war extremists and domestic squabbles
Putin’s regime, threatened by pro-war extremists and domestic squabbles

Putin’s regime, threatened by pro-war extremists and domestic squabbles

Cosmin Popa
14 Jul 2023
Anxiety in the Baltic states about Wagner’s next move
Anxiety in the Baltic states about Wagner’s next move

Latvia’s unfinished border fence came into focus following Wagner’s rebellion in Russia and its alleged move to Belarus. Experts warn that security requires more than a fence.

How Zelensky Became Bulgaria’s President for a Day
How Zelensky Became Bulgaria’s President for a Day

Volodymyr Zelsnky visit to Sofia may be a boost for the pro-Western ruling coalition.

Georgia claims to fight oligarchs, but it protects the most powerful one
Georgia claims to fight oligarchs, but it protects the most powerful one

The Georgian Dream proposes an anti-oligarch law to unblock Georgia's path to the EU. The law protects Bidzina Ivanishvili and was criticized by the Venice Commission.

Diana Shanava
05 Jul 2023
Prigozhin's revolt is a sign that Moldova must distance itself from the Eurasian space
Prigozhin's revolt is a sign that Moldova must distance itself from the Eurasian space

The Wagner revolt came as a confirmation of the fact that Moldova must distance itself from the Eurasian space, officials in Chisinau believe. The Wagner mercenaries were also involved in an attempt to destabilize Moldova.

With Turkey continuing its aggressive policies, Greece is becoming a key player in the region
With Turkey continuing its aggressive policies, Greece is becoming a key player in the region

After the latest elections, Turkey seems determined to continue its combative/aggressive policies, while Greece becomes increasingly important to NATO's south-eastern flank and the EU's energy security.

Russian propaganda looking for an explanation for the Wagner mercenary revolt
Russian propaganda looking for an explanation for the Wagner mercenary revolt

Rumors and propaganda in Russia about the head of Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin: traitor, patriot manipulated by the West but forgiven by Putin, accomplice in a secret Kremlin plan.

Marin Gherman
27 Jun 2023
How Putin strengthened NATO
How Putin strengthened NATO

The war in Ukraine has prompted many NATO states to take action with a view to strengthening their armed forces. Instead of deterring the Allies, Putin only brought them closer together.

Separatist movements in pro-Russian Gagauzia
Separatist movements in pro-Russian Gagauzia

The separatist discourse has reemerged in Gagauzia, part of an effort to block Moldova's European path. The moment coincides with the winning of the elections by one of Ilan Shor’s representatives.

Veridica
19 Jun 2023
Estonia tries to legalize same-sex marriages
Estonia tries to legalize same-sex marriages

Estonia is on the verge of becoming the most progressive ex-Soviet state regarding LGBT+ rights. Conservative politicians oppose the move, but the population seems more tolerant than them.

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