Executive Summary: The Moldovan government has combined its presidential election with a constitutional referendum to enshrine Moldova’s goal to join the European Union. The referendum on October 20 was inconclusive and current President Maia Sandu must face the runner-up, Alexander Stoianoglo, in a second round.... MORE

Executive Summary: Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced its victory in Georgia’s parliamentary elections on October 26, sparking outrage from the opposition due to suspected election fraud. The election results signify an opportunity for Tbilisi to turn toward Moscow, especially as many report likely election... MORE

Executive Summary: In Bulgaria, the seventh round of parliamentary elections in three years is projected to produce a heavily fragmented parliament again and a slim prospect of forming a government for a full mandate. Russian propaganda has specifically targeted pro-Western political parties in Bulgaria while... MORE

Executive Summary: Since at least the 19th Party Congress, Xi Jinping has promoted military-industrial officials, whose presence at the vice-ministerial level has grown since the 20th Party Congress in 2022. They represent a potential emerging faction within the Chinese Communist Party. Military-industrial officials are an... MORE

Executive Summary: Two major developments have followed the Third Plenum in July. First, a series of economic data releases indicated that the plenum had done nothing to improve the country’s short-term outlook. Second, a series of stimulus measures were announced over a two-week period, that... MORE

Executive Summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution requesting sanctions on Georgia and its informal leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, following the parliamentary elections on October 26 if they are not free and fair.  Ivanishvili and his team claim that the West has already informally sanctioned the... MORE

Executive Summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution on October 9, calling on the EU executive body to freeze aid to the Georgian government and impose sanctions against those responsible for Georgia’s democratic backsliding. The ruling Georgian Dream party’s campaigns promoting anti-European propaganda as well... MORE

Executive Summary: This year’s Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, underscoring the importance of preserving the international norm against the first use of nuclear weapons amid Russia’s increasing nuclear brinkmanship. Putin has placed himself into an awkward position where his frequent... MORE

Executive Summary: Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stated that if China’s claims on Taiwan are about territorial integrity, then it should also press for the restoration of land from Russia that the Qing dynasty signed over in the 19th century. If Russia can insist that Ukraine,... MORE

Executive Summary: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law legalizing cryptocurrency mining in Russia and inaugurated a pilot project for using cryptocurrencies to pay for international trade as a way to circumvent Western sanctions. Russian banks and private interests have also continued to develop Digital... MORE