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
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
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
