Europe – European Neighbourhood Monitor

Azerbaijan and Ukraine Launch First Gas Shipment via Trans-Balkan Route

In a move seen as a potential step toward diversifying regional energy flows, Azerbaijan and Ukraine have agreed to initiate their first natural gas shipment between the two countries. The shipment will avoid Russian territory, instead using the Trans-Balkan route that passes through Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. The announcement was jointly promoted by Naftogaz, Ukraine’s […]

Azerbaijan and Ukraine Launch First Gas Shipment via Trans-Balkan Route Read More »

EU Sidelined as Iran-Israel Peace Deal Unfolds Without European Input

Middle East / ENM

A surprise ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, announced late Sunday, appears to have been brokered primarily through U.S.-led diplomacy—without direct involvement from the European Union. The development has drawn attention to the EU’s limited role in the recent escalation and subsequent de-escalation in the region. On the same evening the agreement was revealed, Dutch

EU Sidelined as Iran-Israel Peace Deal Unfolds Without European Input Read More »

Sudan’s civil war enters its third year

Africa / ENM

Sudan’s brutal civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has entered its third year, as the involvement of rebel groups and persistent violence continue to destabilize the region, exacerbating what the United Nations calls the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. In a recent escalation of violence, Sudan’s paramilitary

Sudan’s civil war enters its third year Read More »

Hundreds arrested in Turkey after arrest of Istanbul Mayor

Middle East / ENM

In Turkey, 37 people have been arrested for ‘provocative messages’ on social media that ‘incite crime and hatred’ after the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The opposition leader was arrested on Wednesday. Turkish authorities have identified 261 social media accounts, 62 of which are located abroad, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on TV channel.

Hundreds arrested in Turkey after arrest of Istanbul Mayor Read More »

Zelensky repeats call for Western troops in Ukraine

Eastern Europe / ENM

Ukraine’s allies convened for the 25th time at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as part of the “Ukraine Defense Contact Group.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally attended the meeting, marking one of his last discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before Donald Trump and his administration assume power in 11 days. Also present were

Zelensky repeats call for Western troops in Ukraine Read More »

Putin pitches Slovak PM Fico as Potential Mediator Between Russia and Ukraine

Eastern Europe / ENM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico acting as a mediator for potential peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in St. Petersburg, Putin stated that Fico had offered Slovakia as a platform for negotiations, a proposal the Russian leader described as “acceptable.” He also

Putin pitches Slovak PM Fico as Potential Mediator Between Russia and Ukraine Read More »

New Report: US national security at risk from Chinese interference due to courts becoming political battlegrounds

Indo-Pacific / ENM

A new special report concludes that Western countries could see their influence in Asia rapidly decline without a new approach to the region based on partnership and free trade. Although targeted at European policymakers, the report highlights major risks to national security from third party litigation funding that American policymakers have so far neglected. The

New Report: US national security at risk from Chinese interference due to courts becoming political battlegrounds Read More »

The opportunities for Europe of closer cooperation with Africa

Africa / ENM

When asked whether they think that their children will have a better or worse future than themselves, a Gallup poll in 2022 found Europeans to be the most pessimistic, in comparison to people from other continents. Remarkably, the most optimistic were people from Sub-Saharan Africa. Still, migration flows from Africa continue to put a heavy

The opportunities for Europe of closer cooperation with Africa Read More »

“For Ukraine, there is a sober military reality”

Eastern Europe / ENM

Writing in Belgian magazine Trends, Professor Marc De Vos comments how things stand during the Ukraine war: “At the cost of many human lives and equipment, Ukraine has already recaptured several hundred square kilometers of territory. But Russia occupies some 160,000 square kilometers, an area twice the size of the Benelux. Lacking a strong air

“For Ukraine, there is a sober military reality” Read More »

“The security of Europe and that of the Indo-Pacific region can no longer be discussed separately”

Indo-Pacific / ENM

Writing in Politico, Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi comments: “The security of Europe and that of the Indo-Pacific region can no longer be discussed separately — that was my main message when I attended the NATO ministerial meeting last year for the first time as Japanese foreign minister.” He notes that in “the Indo-Pacific, unilateral

“The security of Europe and that of the Indo-Pacific region can no longer be discussed separately” Read More »