In 2012, Russian authorities enacted the “Foreign Agents” legislation. The law stated that any entity that receives funding from sources outside the country or that is engaged in “political activity” according to the Russian government, is considered a “foreign agent”. Since 2012, the legislation has been modified to include more
Several states from the European Union, including neighboring Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania, have accused Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko of illegally sending migrants into the E.U. The group claims that Lukashenko is acting in retaliation to the bloc’s sanctions over the disputed Belarusian presidential election of 2020, making migrants his political
On July 23rd, Bosnian High Representative Valentin Inzko imposed a constitutional amendment banning any denial of genocide in the country based on events of the 1992-1995 Bosnian war. The amendment not only intends to counter the glorification of war criminals and questioning of wartime facts by any individual of any
Bosnia-Herzegovina already had political, social, and economic issues before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, however, there are new issues with the national vaccination efforts, which include lacking an adequate vaccine supply, difficulty tracking who is vaccinated, and a fight against vaccine misinformation. These issues not only affect local progress but also
Over the past year, southeastern Europe has been deeply affected by the COVID public health emergency on various fronts, including the economy, the political environment, and society as a whole. This crisis has led to growing calls for economic reopening, growing resistance to public health measures, and an eagerness to
Kosovo elected reformist lawyer Vjosa Osmani as its new president in early April. President Osmani will serve alongside Prime Minister Albin Kurti as part of the ruling Vetëvendosje party, a reformist social-democratic organization. However, Kosovo is currently facing several challenges, ranging from a public health crisis to unresolved disputes with
Recently, Bulgaria announced the expulsion of two Russian diplomats after being declared personae non grata. This announcement came shortly after a recent investigation uncovered a spy ring. Relations between Russia and Bulgaria were already facing challenges as there have been similar incidents before, and these new developments are unlikely to
Over the past year, the media environment in Slovenia has worried local journalists and various media organisations alike. They are voicing their concerns about an increasingly hostile work environment, fear in doing their work, and a decline in press freedom under the government of Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. He
Despite a pandemic and unwelcoming circumstances, women’s decades-long struggle to achieve more rights and equal status in Turkish society continues. During this year’s International Women’s Day, Turkish women took to the streets to protest worrisome femicide trends, discrimination, and a lack of representation in higher office. Despite police pushing back
In early March, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a “Human Rights Action Plan,” which would help place Turkey on a path towards improving the rule of law and national democracy declines in recent years. The plan would also improve Turkey’s relations with Western powers, which have accused it of
Across the globe, the pandemic has led to a rise of many problems, which, broadly speaking, include economic, social, and political problems. Among these, the rise of rightist groups and extremist ideologies has been a concerning trend in various parts of the world. In southeastern Europe, rightist groups have made
This month, peace activists in Bosnia-Herzegovina placed memorial plaques commemorating victims of the Bosnian war of 1992-95. It is part of broader efforts to recognize the suffering of war victims that were subjected to torture or other inhumane conditions. Despite their intentions, activists have run into challenges regarding these memorial
In pursuing a second independence referendum, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party (SNP) is facing large challenges that may upend any plans of holding it in the near future. These challenges include the global public health crisis and hesitation from the United Kingdom to allow a second
On January 25, an Israeli Cabinet Minister visited Sudan as part of ongoing efforts to normalise relations between both countries. The initial normalisation deal happened in October, which was headed under the Trump administration. This is part of a broader effort by the United States in normalising relations between Israel
Prominent Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was detained in Moscow after being away from Russia for several months. Navalny makes his return after being treated in Germany for poisoning in the summer, which he believes was planned by the Kremlin and allies, claims that top Russian officials have denied. Despite
A year after the assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, tensions between the United States and Iran remain high. In the past year, both nations have engaged in heated rhetoric over the events, ranging from attack threats to more U.S. aircraft in the region. In recent days, there have
