Latest Articles about Europe

Russia Occupies Zaporizhzhia Oblast the Cossack Way

Executive Summary:  Moscow and the All-Russia Cossack Society completed the documentation necessary to create full-fledged Russian Cossack societies in Ukraine's occupied Zaporizhzhia oblast. The Kremlin may use Russian Cossack organizations in Ukraine as a pretext to mobilize men while simultaneously providing a new legitimation for... MORE

Ukraine Leads World in Drone Innovation and Production

Executive Summary: Russia’s war in Ukraine has become the world’s first drone, digital, and cyber war, and resilience, innovation, adaptation, and quick learning has allowed Ukraine to keep one step ahead of Russia. Ukraine is fighting a people’s war, and its military-industrial complex has significantly... MORE

The Qin Gang Saga Reveals Security Gaps

Executive Summary:  In June 2023, Qin Gang, the former foreign minister of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), mysteriously disappeared, with rumors speculating torture and execution. Recent reports suggest that he remains alive and has been demoted to a deputy director position at World Affairs... MORE

Zelenskyy’s Victory Plan Attempts to Redefine Victory and Defeat

Executive Summary: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented a “victory plan” to the Joe Biden administration and two US presidential candidates. The plan envisages arming Ukraine adequately for negotiating “peace through strength” with Moscow as well as strengthening economic sanctions on Russia. The military situation, damaged... MORE

Belarus Offers Reset of Bilateral Relations to Lithuania

Executive Summary: Belarusian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov published an op-ed outlining Minsk’s assessment of the current and prospective bilateral relations between Belarus and Lithuania, signaling a desire from Minsk to further engage with Vilnius in the future. In Vilnius, Ryzhenkov’s suggestions were received coldly,... MORE

Russian Disinformation Targets the European Union

Executive Summary: Russia continues to conduct misinformation campaigns against Europe. As its war in Ukraine continues and Europeans become tired of the prolonged conflict, fewer people will be engaged and thus more susceptible to disinformation coming from Russia. Russia’s current disinformation campaign revolves around three... MORE

Saimaa Canal Becomes a Flashpoint at Finnish-Russian Border

Executive Summary: The Saimaa Canal, linking Lake Saimaa to the Gulf of Finland via Russian territory, is becoming a flashpoint in the deteriorating relationship between Moscow and Helsinki and, more generally, between Russia and NATO. Both Russia and Finland have cut back their use of... MORE