The Georgian opposition’s decision to boycott local elections proved counter-productive. The authoritarian governing party will now have even more leeway. Results from Georgia’s October 4 municipal elections indicated a landslide win for the ruling party Georgian Dream. With all 3,061 precincts counted across the country, the party — which has...
Balkan prosecutors’ gathering serves as fig leaf for Bulgaria’s host alleged illegitimacy
Bulgaria's Supreme Court of Cassation ruled that acting prosecutor general Borislav Sarafov has been holding office unlawfully. A new Permanent Balkan Prosecutors’ Platform is being created following a regional forum in Sofia earlier this week, bringing together the chief prosecutors of several Balkan states at a time when Bulgaria’s own...
Belarus steps up fuel lifeline to Russia amid Ukrainian strikes on energy sector
With limited resources, Kyiv is leveraging homegrown drones to impose asymmetric costs on Russia's oil industry. As Ukraine’s targeted drone campaign continues to cripple Russia’s oil refining infrastructure, Belarus has emerged as a critical supplier, quadrupling its gasoline exports to Moscow in September to alleviate acute domestic fuel shortages. This...
Romania warned by EU over banned pesticide that poisons bees
The EU issued a warning to Romania to stop using a pesticide containing neonicotinoids, which are toxic to pollinating insects, after Bucharest sought to aid its cereal crop and sunflower farmers by prolonging the use of the chemicals. Romania has been warned by the EU about its continued use of...
Albania Emerges as Destination Port for Illicit Oil from Russia and Libya
It was a cold and windy day in January this year when the Besart and the Aya Zanoubya approached the port of Porto Romano near Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast, the latter being towed due to an electrical failure that had supposedly prevented it from continuing to its stated destination....
Pay-Per-Like scammers still evading justice in Serbia
Online fraudsters duped unwitting Serbians into handing over their cash for the chance of even bigger payouts just for ‘liking’ videos on YouTube. Many victims lost their savings, but the authorities have been slow to pursue the perpetrators. For one Serbian woman, it began early last year with a WhatsApp...
Turkey’s gas shift threatens Russia and Iran’s last big European market
Turkey could meet more than half of its gas needs by the end of 2028 by ramping up production and increasing U.S. imports, in a shift that threatens to shrink the last major European market for Russian and Iranian suppliers. Washington has publicly pressured allies, including NATO member Turkey, to...
Germany’s China Challenge: Between Rhetoric and Reality
After years of appeasement, Berlin’s attitude to China is hardening. But concrete actions remain elusive. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel came to power in 2005 as a vocal critic of China’s human rights record but gradually adopted a softer stance. While the European Union began labeling China a systemic rival, Merkel...
The new face of modern warfare
Defense industries have traditionally focused on the quality of military output, but the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of mass production. On September 28, Russia launched nearly 500 drones and more than 40 missiles across Ukraine. In Kyiv, at least four people were killed and more than seventy...
Kremlin Financial Retaliation? Empty Threats
The Putin regime realizes its war of aggression will be seriously affected if financial assets are handed to Ukraine. But it’s impotent. It’s no surprise the Kremlin has reacted angrily to news that at least $164 bn (and probably much more) in frozen Russian taxpayer funds will likely be used...