
Latest Articles about Central Europe

Russian Intelligence Recruits Refugees and Migrants in NATO Countries for Espionage
Executive Summary: Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, harsh sanctions, growing awareness among North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states of Russian intelligence tactics, and enhanced counterintelligence operations have made the Kremlin’s traditional information-gathering methods nearly impossible. Following widespread expulsions of Russian diplomats... MORE

Polish-Ukrainian Relations Questioned in the Wake of Poland’s Presidential Elections
Jamestown Senior Fellow Janusz Bugajski just returned from a trip to Warsaw and Kyiv. He is the author of Pivotal Poland: Europe’s Rising Power. The book explores Warsaw’s determined efforts to shape NATO’s eastern policy, to maintain a strong alliance with the United States, and to... MORE

Hungary Courts the Turkic World
Executive Summary: Hungary hosted an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in May 2025, aiming to strengthen Budapest’s strategic positioning between the East and West, diversify diplomatic alliances, and boost the organization’s regional influence in Eurasia. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is... MORE

Hungary Becomes Main Lobbyist for Georgian Dream Government in Europe
Executive Summary Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s recent visit to Hungary, by personal invitation of his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orbán, underlines growing cooperation between Tbilisi and Budapest, as the European Union accuses the Georgian Dream government of suppressing democratic protests and violating human rights. Orbán... MORE

Kremlin Increases Anti-Poland Propaganda
Executive Summary: Russia is intensifying its hybrid warfare against Poland through cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation, while portraying Polish defensive actions as provocations to fuel domestic narratives and justify ongoing hostility. Kremlin propaganda is beginning to shift focus from Ukraine to Poland as an adversary, anticipating... MORE

Poland’s Presidential Elections Reveal Domestic Fissures and National Commitments
Jamestown Senior Fellow Janusz Bugajski is the author of Pivotal Poland: Europe’s Rising Power. The book explores the nature and context of Warsaw’s determined efforts to shape NATO’s eastern policy, maintain a strong alliance with the United States, and build a robust, modern military capable of... MORE

Poland Responds to Russian Sabotage Campaign with Consulate Closure
Executive Summary: Poland announced on May 12 that it will close Russia’s consulate in Krakow after attributing the May 2024 Warsaw shopping center fire to Russian security services, as one of only seven North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries to shut down Russian consulates. Moscow... MORE

Viktor Orbán to Use Ukraine as Most Important Campaign Issue (Again)
Executive Summary: The Hungarian government launched a nationwide advisory referendum on Ukraine’s EU membership, while the ruling Fidesz-KDNP alliance launched the VOKS2025 campaign to rally the public against Kyiv’s potential accession to the European bloc. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for his pro-Russian stance,... MORE

Poland on the Frontlines Against Russia’s Shadow War
Executive Summary: Russia’s shadow war against Poland combines low-level sabotage, insider espionage, informational warfare, and cyber‑attacks. Between 2010 and 2025, Polish authorities closed 30 subterfuge cases, leading to the arrests of 61 individuals—19 cases and 49 arrests since 2021—accounting for roughly 35 percent of Europe’s Russian-linked... MORE

Hybrid Threats and Modern Political Warfare: The Architecture of Cross-Domain Conflict
We are publishing this piece because Mr. Irdi served within the Italian government for seventeen years in various capacities related to foreign affairs and security policy, including as a special advisor to Italy’s minister of foreign affairs. During his tenure at the Italian prime minister’s... MORE