Russia’s reliance on Arctic resources is increasingly threatened by the rapid thawing of the permafrost, causing infrastructure collapse, the release of greenhouse gases, and increasing global temperatures. As climate change accelerates, Russia is facing mounting economic and geopolitical strain, compounded by shifting global markets and Western sanctions. With other Arctic nations expanding their presence in the region and Russia’s diminishing influence, the Kremlin must decide whether to adapt to the crisis or risk further economic and geopolitical decline.
On January 1, 2025, Russia cut off natural gas supply to Transnistria, a breakaway region of the Republic of Moldova. Russia hopes to strengthen its control in the region and inhibit Moldova from joining the European Union. The Russian decision to eliminate its supply of natural gas to Transnistria will influence the upcoming parliamentary elections, where Moldova and Transnistria will decide whether to retain the current pro-EU parliament.
Putin attempted to shift global power dynamics after hosting a summit with the intergovernmental organization of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) and receiving aid for the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war from North Korea.
In August, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced that another election would be conducted on October 27 after a majority failed to be produced in June. This stagnant state of affairs in Bulgaria’s parliament not only creates political fatigue for Bulgarians nationwide but enables a much desired neutrality for Russia in its war in Ukraine.
This year’s election to determine the upcoming structure of Georgia’s 150-seat parliament was, to many, a turning point in its path towards integration with the European Union (EU) or further alignment with its northern neighbor—Russia.
On Friday, March 22, 2024, over 60 people were killed and over 140 people were injured in a shooting at Crocus City Hall in Moscow. It was the deadliest shooting Russia has seen in decades, and sent shockwaves across Russia. ISIS-K–the Islamic State Khorasan Province–has claimed responsibility for the attack. ISIS-K, a branch of the Islamic State, was declared a ‘global terrorist organization’ by the U.S. government in 2016.
Domestic violence is a human rights issue many women in Central Asia face today. A reflection on domestic violence in Kazakhstan presents a discussion about women using their agency to advocate for criminalization and stronger protections.
The year 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of Sergei Parajanov’s birth. A reflection of Parajanov’s contributions and impact present a discussion about Ukrainian nationalism and identity in the 20th and 21st centuries.
In late 2023, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev called early presidential elections for February 2024, a year earlier than the end of his term. However, given that Azerbaijan is an extremely authoritarian state with staged elections, many have wondered why Aliyev would want to hold the vote a year early, especially since he would likely rig the elections regardless if they were to be held in 2024 or 2025.
Following the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for the foreseeable future, disagreements on negotiation formats, border demarcation and delimitation, and the opening of trade routes, propagate tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
A look into recent legislation in Georgia that may jeopardize their EU and NATO candidacy. Tensions between Georgia and the West on a rise, as Georgia plays into Putin’s narrative.
For decades the Baltic States have been connected to Russia via a common rail gauge and Soviet influence. With the construction of Rail Baltica punctuating their realignment towards Europe, the potential positive impacts of this transformative project will reverberate not just through the Baltic region but throughout the European continent as a whole.
Following a 10 month blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan launched an offensive into the territory. This offensive ultimately forced its ethnic Armenian population to flee to Armenia.
An analysis of the future of Wagner group and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin following their mutiny attempt earlier this year. This article analyzes Wagner’s ongoing operations in Africa post-mutiny and the role of Prigozhin in Russian affairs before his death.
This article discusses the deadly protests that occurred in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan in July of 2022, an area that has historically been one of much contention in Uzbekistan. The protests stemmed from Constitutional changes that would’ve prevented Karakalpaks, a Turkic group that has stronger linguistic and cultural ties with Kazakhs, from seceding from the country.
At the end of March, a historic visit took place, between Chinese President Xi and Russian President Putin. Although Chinese-Russian relations have had a tumultuous relationship in the past, the two powers can now agree on one thing: they want to confront U.S. and Western dominance.
Graffiti expressing anti-Russian sentiment adorns Georgian buildings, reflecting the country's unease as the government leans closer to Russian influence. Thousands of Georgians recently protested the controversial "foreign agents" bill, which would require businesses receiving at least 20% of their funding from foreign countries to declare themselves as "foreign agents," potentially stifling foreign-funded organizations and moving Georgia further from European integration.
A year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, international sports organizations are reevaluating their bans on Russian and Belarusian athletes. The International Fencing Federation and Wimbledon have recently lifted their bans, allowing athletes to compete under a neutral flag. However, the International Olympic Committee's plan to allow these athletes to participate in the Paris 2024 Games has been met with widespread criticism and calls for reconsideration.
