In early March, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov embarked on a five-country tour of sub-Saharan Africa. During his trip, Lavrov signed new trade agreements with Russia’s two long-standing partners in southern Africa, Angola and Mozambique. He also strengthened Moscow’s diplomatic ties to Zimbabwe’s new government and highlighted the role Russia …

When the Soviet Union collapsed three decades ago, the European security architecture suddenly became uncertain, its future put in play. After all, much of the postwar balance of power in Europe—and the world—had rested on the icy pillars of the Cold War, pillars that in 1991 abruptly melted. It didn’t …

Democrats in the U.S. Senate have defeated a bill that would have slapped sanctions on businesses involved in the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. The bill, sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas), needed at least 60 votes to pass. It was defeated by a vote of 55-44 on January …

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote this week on a bill sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas) to slap sanctions on the operators of the Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline in Europe. Cruz struck a deal with Democrats last month to get a vote on the sanctions bill by …

U.S.-RUSSIA U.S., European, and Russian officials embarked on a series of diplomatic meetings with Russian officials this week in Geneva, Brussels and Vienna. The meetings follow months of mounting fears of a Russian offensive against Ukraine and Moscow’s demand for negotiations with the U.S. on halting, and in some ways …

If 2021 was a test of the Czech Republic’s resilience to populism in a time of pandemic, this year will offer all parties on both sides of the divide a chance to gather their forces. Sandwiched between last October’s parliamentary election and a presidential vote due to take place in …

Corruption revelations, one of the worst COVID-19 death rates in the world, open warfare with the EU: no serious scandal has put much of a dent in the poll numbers of Poland’s ruling PiS party. Will anything happen in 2022 to alter that?As 2021 closed, the popularity of Poland’s ruling …

The rising superpower may confront some checks from its rivals in the Western Balkans this year – though probably not enough to significantly curb its regional ambitions. The second year of the COVID pandemic has deeply transformed global relations. Major world powers underwent significant political and economic changes while learning …

North Macedonia starts 2022 with a new PM and largely refreshed cabinet that will have no time to spare, as both the government and the country’s stalled EU process are in a precarious, volatile state.It was a tough 2021 for North Macedonia. On top of the ongoing health, economic and …

The Croatian government offered promises of renewal after the Petrinja earthquake but one year on, its actions have fallen short. BIRN uncovers how Petrinja was abandoned by the state, long before it was hit by an earthquake.The cafe in central Petrinja is crowded and buzzing with Saturday afternoon regulars. Outside …