In recent weeks, European aviation has faced repeated disruptions from mysterious drone sightings, with authorities in multiple countries pointing fingers at Russia for orchestrating hybrid attacks aimed at sowing chaos and testing defences. These incidents coincide with heightened alerts in the Baltic region over suspected sabotage of undersea cables, gas...
Georgia local elections trigger mass protests in Tbilisi, clashes with police
The country’s prime minister accused EU officials of backing an “attempt to overthrow the constitutional order”. Georgian riot police used pepper spray and water cannons to drive demonstrators away from the presidential palace and detained five activists on Saturday, as the opposition staged a large demonstration on a day of...
The US-UK nuclear deal and Europe’s strategic future
The US-UK nuclear deal is especially significant, committing both nations to end reliance on Russian nuclear fuel by 2028. This is more than an energy decision. It reflects a strategic understanding that the future energy and technology transition will provide an edge against the hybrid warfare waged by Russia and...
The UK’s new defense industry plan
The announcement of a new defense-related policy tends to moisten the palms of British military personnel. Too often, they say, it means cutting everything by 15% and irreversibly disbanding an entire capability while claiming the country is better defended. Refreshingly, the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) published on September 8 makes...
Can Orbán retain power?
Orbán’s grip on power, which he has exercised since 2010, is weakening, even as the political stakes rise. Hungarians, and capitals across Europe, are asking how far he will go to protect his hold on power. The mounting opposition to Orbán’s rule became clear in June, when 250,000 people flooded...
An EU Security Base on the Black Sea
The EU’s renewed focus on the Black Sea has created an opportunity for Romania, Turkey and Ukraine to shape a stronger defense against Russia. In May, the European Commission launched its for the Black Sea in response to the war in Ukraine. One of the three pillars of the new...
Why Moldova is so important
For the past few weeks, the small nation of Moldova in southeastern Europe has received more attention than it would like. That signals its importance. Moldova at the Crossroads Moldova, with a population of 2.4 million and celebrating its 34th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union this year, is...
Hungary bans leading Ukrainian media as bilateral conflict escalates
Hungarian internet providers have blocked access to several leading Ukrainian news portals. The move came after Ukraine, in mid-September, banned several foreign outlets, including Hungary’s “Origo” and “Demokrata”, arguing that they regularly disseminate Russian propaganda. By Tuesday morning, Hungarian users reported restrictions on several Ukrainian sites, though the lists varied...
Romania plans defensive drone production with Ukraine to protect NATO’s east
The country’s ambition was announced as EU leaders gather for an informal “drone wall” summit in Denmark. Romania hopes to quickly set up production on its territory of defensive drones with Ukraine for domestic use as well as by European Union and NATO allies, Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said in...
Serbia’s arrests signal Vučić’s balancing act amid Russian influence concerns
The arrests may relate to economic pressures, such as U.S. sanctions on Serbia’s NIS oil company due to its Russian majority stake In late September 2025, Serbian police executed two significant arrest operations targeting activities linked to Russian interests, raising questions about President Aleksandar Vučić’s motives. EUalive’s partner Beta agency...