European Union

Trump-proofing NATO: Why Europe’s current nuclear deterrents may not be enough to face biggest threats since WWII

— NATO members are urgently rethinking their nuclear strategy as Donald Trump’s potential presidency might weaken U.S. commitments, prompting Europe to consider independent defence capabilities amid rising Russian threats.

European Union

Mounting tension and instability in the Western Balkans is playing into Russia’s hands

— Tension in the Western Balkans, which has been troubled by ethnic tensions since the wars of the 1990s, is becoming an increasing concern for the EU and NATO.

War in Ukraine

Ukraine war: Why many NATO countries are thinking of introducing conscription and the issues that involves

— Amid global conflicts and political debates, several European nations, including new NATO members, are reconsidering or reintroducing conscription to enhance military and civic preparedness.

War in Ukraine

Russia’s Baltic neighbours to create massive border defences as Trump continues undermining Nato

— Donald Trump’s remarks on NATO, Ukraine aid, and Article 5 concern the Baltic States, fearing Russian aggression. Despite bolstering defences, their small populations make them vulnerable to Russian expansion, especially with potential US disengagement.

War in Ukraine

Ukraine war: Ten years after Putin annexed Crimea, Russia’s grip on the peninsula looks shaky

— Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 hasn’t secured the region as Vladimir Putin hoped. Recent Ukrainian attacks expose vulnerability, leading to losses like the Black Sea fleet. Ukrainian successes challenge Russia’s grip.

War in Ukraine

Ukraine war: Pope Francis should learn from his WWII predecessor’s mistakes in appeasing fascism

— Pope Francis faces criticism for comments seen as meek collaboration with Russia in the Ukraine conflict. This is reminiscent of Pope Pius XII’s prioritisation of the Church’s interests during World War II.

War in Ukraine

Macron won’t rule out using Western ground troops in Ukraine – but is NATO prepared for war with Russia?

— French President Macron doesn’t exclude the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine following a meeting with European leaders. However, the question remains: could the deployment of ground troops to Ukraine provoke a broader and more dangerous conflict with Russia?

Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has never understood why Ukrainians want to control their own destiny

— Ukraine’s journey from a distant democracy to the eastern edge of Western Europe, symbolised by the Euromaidan protests, underscores its distinct political culture and fervent embrace of democratic values, contrasting sharply with Russia’s authoritarianism.

Russia

Vladimir Putin’s history war where truth is the first casualty

— The Kremlin sanctions UK historians for alleged misrepresentation of Russian history, as Putin promotes a distorted narrative rooted in a 12th-century text to suppress dissenting views on Ukraine’s historical ties.

War in Ukraine

Ukraine war: Corruption scandals and high-level rifts could become an existential threat as Kyiv asks for more military aid

— Ukraine faces a dual challenge: while President Zelensky’s anti-corruption efforts show progress, a scandal involving missing military supplies highlights pervasive corruption, jeopardizing both internal stability and Western support.

COMMENT

NATO’s biggest exercise since Cold War could poke Russian bear

— The start of 2024 witnesses escalating global threats: the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Iran-Pakistan exchanges, China’s tensions with Taiwan, North Korea’s strategic shift, and a concerning prospect of Russia using nuclear weapons to deter NATO.

War in Ukraine

Israel-Gaza conflict: An opportunity for Putin while the world is distracted

— Conflict in the Middle East may distract the West, which could be to Russia’s advantage in the Ukraine war.

Slovakia Elections

Slovakia may be about to elect a government which plans to halt aid to Kyiv

— Slovakia has steadfastly supported Ukraine in the war, but there are signs this may change after the election.

War in Ukraine

Ukraine War: Mixed signals among Kyiv’s allies hint at growing conflict fatigue

— As the war nears 600 days, there are signs that support for Ukraine could be beginning to waver in some parts.

War in Ukraine

From SpaceX to geopolitics: Did Elon Musk sabotage Ukraine?

— The revelation that Elon Musk halted Starlink services near Crimea during a Ukrainian drone operation, stemming from a biography of the multi-billionaire, showcases the profound impact tech leaders can have in geopolitical affairs.

Russia

Ukraine war: Two good reasons the world should worry about Russia’s arms purchases from North Korea

— Despite the UN sanctions against North Korea, Russia is apparently trading weapons and technology which could help Pyongyang’s missile programme.