Europe
The threat to Russia from Islamic State returnees
The threat posed by Russian speaking fighters who travelled to fight under the Islamic State in Syria presents a complicated problem for both Russia and its allies to address. Just like its Western counterparts, Russia is worried that these returnees will mount deadly attacks on the country’s soil.
Nikol Pashinyan and the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Earlier in 2018, Nikol Pashinyan made a historic entrance into the helm of Armenian politics after Serzh Sargsyan resigned in the face of large protests. While Pashinyan is making continued efforts to improve Armenia’s image abroad, an important question remains about his leadership towards the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict.
The Orthodox schism: religion as a political instrument
On 15th October, the Russian Orthodox Church announced that it had severed ties to the Patriarchate of Constantinople after the Patriarch declared that he would grant the Ukrainian Orthodox Church autocephaly, meaning independence from the Russian Church. Until this declaration, the only Orthodox Church in Ukraine that was officially recognized by other Patriarchates was administered from Moscow. While this may seem at first glance to be primarily a religious matter, it is in fact deeply political in nature.
UN report puts German automakers in unfamiliar territory
The German auto industry has at times seemed invincible–but not of late. With the EU moving to curb emissions following the recent UN IPCC report on the acceleration of climate change, and technological advantages in China, Japan, and the US, the Germans find themselves in a surprising place: last.
Labour’s muddled approach to Brexit creates its own risks
The Brexit process is reaching a critical moment. As negotiations continue, key parliamentary votes are lingering in the next few months. This article analyses the current sentiment within the opposition Labour Party whose inability to form a cohesive counterweight to the Conservative exacerbates potential risks.
Europe looks towards Russia in response to US foreign policy
President Trump’s use of economic sanctions as foreign policy has led European countries, especially Germany and France, to consider following in Russia’s footsteps. This includes setting up financial institutions beyond American influence to safeguard their interests.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Elections, but to what end?
Bosnia and Herzegovina held Presidential and Parliamentary elections on October 7, 2018. An ongoing dispute about the electoral law has left the country unable to legally form a government. Despite this, election results indicate the current state of affairs in the country.
Opinion: Russia sanctions are a dangerous game
The United States (US) Government has deemed Russia responsible for violating international law by using chemical weapons against its own nationals in the UK. With this declaration, the US has unleashed, and is threatening further, sanctions against Russia. Can they bring forth change in US – Russia dynamic?
Kosovo and Serbia: is a land swap a real possibility?
Both President Vučić of Serbia and President Thaçi of Kosovo have recently mentioned a land swap as a way of resolving their territories’ long standing dispute. So what would a land swap involve, and how likely is it to happen?
Latvian elections: Populist success and coalitions
Latvia held a parliamentary election on October 6th. This saw the success of numerous small parties; notable is the arrival of KPV LV, relative newcomers who gained sixteen seats in the hundred seat Saeima. Expect the upcoming weeks to be consumed by movements to form a coalition.
