Southeast Europe / Opinion
COMMENT: Black Sea becomes central to Europe’s evolving security order
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the Black Sea is emerging as the key theatre in Europe’s long-term security contest with Russia, according to political analyst Dimitar Bechev of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Remember that fellow Imamoglu?
As the world moves on to other matters, the operation that aims to keep the main political threat to Turkey’s Erdogan behind bars is still going strong.
Central Asia has become “like a girl whose house is full of suitors”, analyst says
Powers including China, Russia, the US and the EU “all promise something to the bride” in scramble for resources such as critical minerals.
Russia provoking conflict in Western Balkans as leverage against West, think-tank says
Instability in the Western Balkans "presents Russia with a win-win scenario", says FPRI analysis.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: US told Turkey war was imminent. There’s more to Ankara’s stance on conflict than meets the eye
Israeli jets entered Turkish airspace. Erdogan hardly blinked.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Turkey’s regime keeps Sword of Trials hanging over heads of the opposition
But the powers that be are back in a comfortable place. No move to seize CHP party likely in foreseeable future.
COMMENT: Full speed ahead with reforms in the Western Balkans rail sector
The region must continue to transform its rail sector to become more eco-friendly, accessible and digitalised.
Erdogan’s “missteps” have doomed him, argues Council on Foreign Relations analyst
Henri J Barkey describes the “flailing of a threatened, insecure, and imperiled man” who is “confronting mounting public fatigue” in Turkey with his presidency.
BERTRAND: China, leading Asian countries, set up rival to International Court of Justice
China and a group of about 20 other countries (including Indonesia, Pakistan, Algeria and Serbia) are launching this week the "International Organization for Mediation" to rival the International Court of Justice.
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BLOG: Efforts to tackle methane emissions continue, despite Trump’s regulatory rollback
Momentum behind improved methane monitoring, quantification and mitigation continues to build in the US – even without the same regulatory pressure.
COMMENT: China’s debt-trap diplomacy - lessons from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and beyond
For the nations affected this results in economic dependence on China and often the surrender of strategic assets - or both.
COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?
As the global Democracy Index recorded a historic low in 2024, institutions tasked with upholding democratic values are under increasing pressure to adapt.
In Kurdish peace moves, expect ailing founder Ocalan to get Turkish Riviera house arrest and “Real PKK” splinter to emerge, says analyst
Ankara thinks it can “mop up” those who continue fighting, adds Soner Cagaptay.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Who's to say PKK guns won't be used under a different name?
And anyway, despite what you are reading, the militants' so-called name has not been in use since 2002.
COMMENT: Central Europe’s diverging economic paths challenge regional policy synchronisation – ING
The economic trajectories of Central and Eastern European countries are drifting apart, with growth, inflation, and policy direction showing increasing divergence.
Food, Water, Energy: Romanian extremists' utopian model or a road to authoritarianism
Calin Georgescu’s “Food, Water, Energy” programme promises to heal Romania, but could morph into an authoritarian project.
COMMENT: Turkish opposition’s efforts to bring down Erdogan regime are just not working
Half-measures, be damned. The CHP had better step up its game. Or democracy is lost.
Post-war order teetering – rights watchdog
Eurasia “at forefront” of assault on individual freedoms.
COMMENT: Middle Corridor makes progress, but playing second fiddle to the Northern Route
The Middle Corridor linking China to Europe through the South Caucasus and Central Asia has expanded significantly in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but its long-term prospects remain uncertain.
Think-tank urges EU to consider 'Big Bang' enlargement and sweeping reforms
European Policy Centre analysts call on the EU to abandon its piecemeal, hesitant approach to enlargement and commit to ‘permachange’: a permanent state of adaptation in response to cascading crises.