Opinions

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.

Romania is forced to arm itself, but cannot rely on domestic manufacturers
Romania is forced to arm itself, but cannot rely on domestic manufacturers

Russia’s aggression forces NATO states to streamline their defense sectors and arsenals. Romania’s security needs are great, but domestic manufacturers are unable to provide military technology in line with 21st-century standards.

Why Romania should take a tougher stand on the issue of the Romanian Treasure in Russia
Why Romania should take a tougher stand on the issue of the Romanian Treasure in Russia

Historical arguments and evidence regarding the Romanian Treasure are completely disregarded by Russia, which wouldn’t observe its international obligations. Romania must approach the issue of the Treasure through the lens of the war in Ukraine.

Cosmin Popa
11 Jun 2024
Netanyahu, forced to choose between risking Israel's isolation or securing his political future
Netanyahu, forced to choose between risking Israel's isolation or securing his political future

Eight months into the war, Israel has not achieved its goals in Gaza amidst growing international pressure. Prime Minister Netanyahu is risking his future political career whether he chooses peace or to continue the war. Opting for peace could eliminate the risk of Israel's isolation.

Spies and agents of influence in the Romanian energy industry
Spies and agents of influence in the Romanian energy industry

Romania has the potential of becoming an energy power in the EU. Political red tape, inbred corruption and Russia’s hybrid actions have exposed the vulnerabilities of the Romanian energy sector.

Estonia moves to seize Russian assets. Will the West follow suit?
Estonia moves to seize Russian assets. Will the West follow suit?

Estonia passed legislation allowing the confiscation and use of frozen Russian. Theoretically, the assets should go to Ukraine, but there are still some hurdles to be passed before that happens. Assets frozen in Estonia are just the tip of the iceberg; most of the Russian money and goods were frozen in other EU countries and the US.

Latvia is painfully lagging economically behind its neighbors in the Baltics
Latvia is painfully lagging economically behind its neighbors in the Baltics

The Baltic states have similar backgrounds and are mostly supportive to each other. There is, however, a friendly competition in terms of the speed of their development, and Latvia lags behind.

Xi and Putin want a new world order. Hungary and Serbia are ready to support them
Xi and Putin want a new world order. Hungary and Serbia are ready to support them

Xi Jinping visited Europe to project the image of a strong China and announce investments in Serbia and Hungary, both pro-Russian countries. Later, Xi welcomed Putin to Beijing and promised him the help of China, which shares with Russia the vision of a "multipolar" world. But the visit seems, at least for now, to have had fewer concrete results than Xi's visit to Europe.

Nuclear weapons in Belarus: a propaganda fake or real threat?
Nuclear weapons in Belarus: a propaganda fake or real threat?

Almost a year after Aleksandr Lukashenko announced that Russia has started to ship nuclear weapons to Belarus, it’s unclear whether they are there and who controls them.

How Iran and Turkey are sabotaging their own future economic prospects
How Iran and Turkey are sabotaging their own future economic prospects

As the development of trade routes between the West and the East is in full swing, Iran and Turkey risk being overlooked due to their own policies, despite their strategic position between the two regions.

Reporting from Ukraine: the city where bombing has become routine
Reporting from Ukraine: the city where bombing has become routine

Alarmele aeriene s-au activat de 4000 de ori în Zaporojie în ultimii doi ani. Orașul revendicat de ruși se confruntă și cu riscul unor inundații catastrofale și a unui dezastru nuclear. Alex Craiu scrie cum arată o zi „obișnuită” în Zaporojie.

Alex Craiu
21 May 2024
How the Kharkiv offensive is seen on pro-Kremlin Telegram channels
How the Kharkiv offensive is seen on pro-Kremlin Telegram channels

Ukraine has been abandoned by the West and is being led by Zelensky to disaster, according to narratives about the Russian offensive in Kharkiv that are being promoted on Telegram. The offensive is presented as "unstoppable", and the purpose of the narratives is to strengthen Russian support for the war and demoralize the Ukrainians.

Marin Gherman
20 May 2024
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