Afghanistan continues to be the world leader in opium and heroin production and is “adapting” drug trafficking routes to new geopolitical conditions. One of these, the so-called “Northern Corridor” through Central Asia and Russia, is increasingly becoming the focus of European and international reports. This is not just a matter...
How Swarovski Optik continues to get into Russia despite sanctions
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many observers expected European companies, especially those with strong reputations, to immediately cease all cooperation with the aggressor. However, as it turns out, a significant number of European companies, including some with global reputations, have continued their business ties with Russia....
The political crisis in France and the economy: what to expect next
For several months, France has been plunged into a new spiral of political turbulence that not only threatens the stability of its institutions, but directly affects its economic state. Behind this crisis lies not only a decline in the credibility of the government, but also serious socio-economic risks: rising debt,...
Romania pivots to accelerated sale of Lukoil assets amid U.S. sanctions pressure
Bucharest abandons temporary nationalisation and opts for a fast-tracked two-stage divestment to safeguard energy security. Romania has abandoned the option of temporarily nationalising the Lukoil-Petrotel refinery, concluding that the state lacks the approximately €200 million in immediate liquidity required to restart operations under public control. After weeks of political and...
Peter Szijjártó celebrity minister and sybarite
On 10 November 2025, it was announced that Péter Szijjártó, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, had become president of Budapest football club Honvéd, which plays in the country's top division and is one of Hungary's most successful clubs. Honvéd has a number of wealthy sponsors, including Singapore-based Vulcan...
The new nuclear arms race and Europe. Who will keep the continent on the brink of a safe world?
Today it has become clear that the international containment system is going through a crisis, because of the massive modernization of Russian nuclear arsenals, in particular the recent tests by Russia of nuclear charge carriers «Sarmat», «Poseidon», «Beehive», a reversal of the treaty architecture and geopolitical upheavals have created preconditions...
Rising unemployment in Europe: who pays the bill and what to expect
The fall of 2025 brought an obvious shift in the European labor market. After years of falling unemployment, the current scale and speed of change has become a concern for analysts and policymakers. The three largest European economies, the UK, Germany and France are simultaneously showing similar signs of employment...
Stolen history. Who profits from the disappearance of art?
On 19 October 2025, the world of culture was shocked by the news that art had been stolen from the Louvre. Four intruders infiltrated the Gallery of Apollo (Galerie d'Apollon) and in a matter of minutes took away eight precious royal and imperial jewels of the 19th century. Among the...
Rare earth elements are the underground levers of big politics
Rare earth elements, lanthanoids plus scandium and yttrium are among the so-called «critical materials», which today are essential for the production of powerful magnets, electric motors, wind generators, satellite systems, radars. In other words, the «green» and defense industries need these materials almost as much as they used to need...
Why migration remains Europe’s hottest topic
When the 2015-2016 Frontex and UNHCR routes to Europe saw a flood of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries, many expected that the situation would stabilize over time. However, a diametrically opposed phenomenon of European perceptions of migration soon emerged, generating not only political polarization, but also social tensions....