Russia and Europe are energy interdependent. Russia supplied more than 70 percent of natural gas and one third of all crude oil to OECD countries in 2016, which represented 75 and 60 percent of Russia’s exports in that year, respectively. These sales in turn were responsible for more than one...
Eight detained in Slovakia over suspected € 7.4 mn military aid fraud to Ukraine
European prosecutors suspect rigged tenders and overpriced ammunition. Four defense ministry employees are among those in custody. Eight individuals, including four officials from Slovakia’s Ministry of Defense, have been detained as part of a European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) investigation into alleged misuse of €7.4 million intended for Ukraine’s military...
NATO Procurement Agency Probed for Corruption
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Thursday that the organization’s procurement agency is cooperating with police investigating corruption and fraud allegations involving the purchase of military equipment. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) helps the 32 members of the world’s biggest security alliance and their partners to buy defense equipment...
They Were Accused of Smuggling. Now They’re Partnering With the Uzbek State
The family was exposed in previous investigations for dominating Kyrgyz trade routes with the help of corrupt officials. But that hasn’t stopped them from expanding into Uzbekistan. The Epicenter of Uzbek Trade In Uzbekistan’s trading sector, there is no bigger prize than the Abu Sahiy market. Its endless traders’...
TotalEnergies Calls for Immediate Investigation into Alleged Massacre at Mozambican Gas Project
The French energy conglomerate TotalEnergies has urged the Mozambican government to expedite an independent investigation into allegations of a massacre at its liquefied natural gas (LNG) megaproject in northern Mozambique. This follows damning reports of severe human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by a Mozambican military unit stationed near the company’s...
Estonia’s Role in the Changing Architecture of Development Cooperation
Development cooperation is a tool of soft power for states that enables them to promote their values, build relationships with partner states, and reduce global poverty. Since development cooperation is impacted by changes in the norms and power dynamics of international politics, it is essential to analyse Estonia’s use of...
The Case of the European Defense Community
Since World War II, Europe’s security has essentially been “outsourced” to the United States within the broader framework of NATO, relegating European countries to a position of total subordination to the external line dictated by Washington. The Trump administration has changed all this. And now, amid the potential collapse of...
Russia’s Gray Zone Warfare Campaign in Europe
According to the head of MI5, Russia is on a mission to ‘generate sustained mayhem on British and European streets.’ The statement refers to a string of high-profile sabotage and arson events that have occurred in Europe since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, ranging from the destruction of undersea...
A Case for Strengthening Europe’s Nuclear Deterrence
Political Will, Not Just Military Capabilities Nuclear weapons in Europe are, and will remain, the sovereign responsibility of two individual states, France and the United Kingdom. It is common knowledge that the United Kingdom contributes to NATO’s deterrence and defence as a member of the Nuclear Planning Group, while France...
Romania’s New President Must Update His Black Sea Playbook
In the last decade, the Romanian government has centered its Black Sea security policy on the country’s strategic partnership with the United States. However, since President Trump was elected for a second term, US interest in Europe has drastically diminished. Romania’s new president, Nicușor Dan, needs to update his playbook...