Southeast Europe / Opinion
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Damp squib
Turkey’s opposition seriously lacks imagination, as it showed today by moving the Free Imamoglu, Give Us Democracy street campaign to the periphery, much to the regime’s delight.
Istanbul under unprecedented siege, says Turkey’s Nobel prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk in Guardian op-ed
Notes: “In my 50 years living in Istanbul, I have not seen as many so-called security measures on the streets as I have over the past few days.”
COMMENT: Jailed Istanbul mayor Imamoglu writes op-ed for The New York Times
“Democracy’s fate depends on the courage of those who refuse to remain silent when institutions crumble,” he writes from his prison cell.
COMMENT: Europe’s outlook improves as Trump makes Ukraine conflct progress
European leaders are alarmed at the increasingly warm relations between US President Trump and Putin, but economists are encouraged as even a “quick and dirty” ceasefire deal to the Ukraine conflict will buoy flagging CEE economies.
COMMENT: What impact will a raft of protests across the Emerging Markets have?
A spate of protests across several emerging markets is reigniting concerns over economic stability and long-term financial health. From Turkey to Indonesia, social unrest has flared up that threaten countries with weak fundamentals.
COMMENT: Is the EU going to fall apart?
Is the EU about to break apart under the stress of taking over the full weight of supporting Ukraine, the need to rearm and the hundreds of billions that must be invested if it is to become competitive again?
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Imamoglu’s construction company also ‘detained’
Investigators appear to have set out to sell the idea of a web of corruption and misdeeds to the public as they attempt to justify taking Erdogan’s main rival into custody.
COMMENT: Rail and logistics firms bet on Middle Corridor as key Eurasian route
As the Trans-Caspian International Transport route grows in importance, rail operators and other companies have committed to boosting traffic along the route.
COMMENT: Meeting protesters’ demands would improve Serbia’s investment climate
Serbian officials have accused protesters of damaging the economy, but meeting the demands for more efficient institutions and a stronger judiciary would improve the investment climate in the long-term.
OPINION: CEE infrastructure to take centre stage as Ukraine post-war reconstruction looms
The war in Ukraine appears to be drawing to a close and Central and Eastern Europe's infrastructure capabilities – or lack thereof – will soon be thrust into the global spotlight.
Bosnia becomes new proxy for struggle between Russia and the West
Bosnia & Herzegovina is facing its biggest crisis in 30 years with politicians in Republika Srpska, encouraged by Moscow, taking steps towards secession.
OPINION: The EU must bet on nuclear
For Central and Eastern Europe, over reliance on renewable energy for the green transition will compound the already significant challenge of shifting away from a predominantly coal and natural gas based energy network.
COMMENT: The multipolar world has no place for US-Russia imperialism
As the US and Russia collude to revive their cold war dominance, Europe must forge a new path. A revitalised EU could challenge imperial powers and contribute to building a true multipolar order.
COMMENT: Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan create new Eurasian economic hub
A growing partnership between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan marks an important shift in regional economic diplomacy.
Are Georgia and Serbia heading for coloured revolutions?
As protests swell in Georgia and Serbia, the critical question is whether demonstrators will force change or prove ineffective against their deeply entrenched ruling elites.
URUS-ClearPic: Across Eurasia, China is leveraging supply risk successfully – so could others
In late 2001, when much of the world – especially the US and the West – was preoccupied by 9/11 and the resulting military campaigns, China acceded to the World Trade Organisation. This marked a shift in its global trade and China’s playbook.
COMMENT: Europe needs to start the fightback against Trump now
The European centre-right is facilitating the populist attack on liberal democracy.
Analysts expect ‘perfect storm’ of political risks in 2025
Global political risk is set to intensify in 2025 with international trade becoming a geopolitical battleground after Trump’s return to office, said Verisk Maplecroft analysts.
COMMENT: With Trump back in the White House, Europe may need to turn to Turkey to strengthen its security
Analyst suggests EU cannot hope to deter Russia effectively without closer cooperation with Ankara.