Central Europe / Opinion
COMMENT: Europe risks becoming a ‘vassal’ unless it relearns power politics, Sciences Po chief warns
Europe is in a historic decline that threatens its economic model, political autonomy and global influence, and lacks the intellectual framework needed to reverse the trend, according to the head of France's elite Sciences Po university.
EU’s foreign policy boss Kallas is undermining Europe’s credibility
Kaja Kallas has done it again. The EU’s top foreign policy high representative called China a “cancer” that needs decisive treatment with chemotherapy rather than temporary relief with morphine.
ASH: UK cocks up on Russian sanctions
At the least a PR disaster for the UK around its Russia sanctions regime. At the worst the UK has been pushed by Trump’s war on Iran to easing up sanctions on Russia.
Why global population collapse will keep the wars coming
Demographers warned for decades that ageing, declining states grow more dangerous, not less. The wars now spreading from Eastern Europe to the Gulf to East Asia look increasingly like the opening engagements of a long contest over who outlasts whom.
Inconsistent messaging on Turkey shows EU cannot pretend to be geopolitical power, says analyst
Gaffe or not, remarks from European Commision president played into hands of Turkish politicians who want Ankara to pursue closer ties with Moscow and Beijing.
Hungary’s new leader unlikely to shift EU stance on Russia and Ukraine dramatically
Expectations that Budapest will pivot sharply away from Russia and back a more assertive European Union policy on Ukraine post-election may prove misplaced, says commentary by Carnegie Politika.
Hungary vote driven by domestic anger but opens door to EU reset, analysts say
Landslide election win for Tisza reflects deep domestic frustration rather than foreign policy concerns, but could pave the way for a reset in relations with the EU, analysts told an ECFR webinar.
Orbán’s election defeat shakes illiberal allies in Southeast Europe
Implications for leaders across Southeast Europe who have aligned themselves with Viktor Orban's brand of illiberal governance.
OPINION: Hungarian vote puts EU unity on the line
Hungary's general election is “make-or-break” for Brussels-Budapest relations, says Clingendael Institute report.
US-Europe relations strains bring Nato alliance close to breaking point
The West is discussing a new defence alliance format to replace Nato that would include Ukraine. Nato's current form is ineffective, so it is worth creating a new defence structure.
COMMENT: Win or lose, Orban has broken Hungary’s democracy
Hungary’s parliamentary elections on April 12 would, under normal democratic conditions, point towards a change of government, but the country’s political system no longer operates on conventional terms.
Why Russia’s targets in Emerging Europe are talking about the “Moldova playbook”
As critical elections approach in Hungary and Armenia this spring, the recent experience of Moldova is increasingly being brought up by politicians, analysts and election observers.
RAGOZIN: EU’s Conflict of Conflicts
Europe’s quiet revolt: how Trump’s Iran war is forcing the EU to choose between Washington’s conflicts and its own interests