Eastern Europe

Recent publications

Ursula von der Leyen - Edi Rama meeting in Albania

Albania’s EU Accession Sprint

Balancing Momentum, Reform, and EU Scrutiny

Albania has emerged as one of the most rapidly advancing EU candidate countries, having opened all negotiation clusters and aiming to complete talks by 2027. Its progress is driven by strong geopolitical alignment, broad public support, and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s active engagement with EU leaders. Yet rapid advancement masks notable challenges.

Milan Nič

Nikola Xaviereff

Albania’s EU Accession Sprint

Balancing Momentum, Reform, and EU Scrutiny

Milan Nič

Nikola Xaviereff

Albania has emerged as one of the most rapidly advancing EU candidate countries, having opened all negotiation clusters and aiming to complete talks by 2027. Its progress is driven by strong geopolitical alignment, broad public support, and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s active engagement with EU leaders. Yet rapid advancement masks notable challenges.

SNSD members paid tribute to Charlie Kirk Some officials of the Republika Srpska

Republika Srpska Secession Stalls

Snap Elections and the US Policy Reshape Towards Bosnia

Nikola Xaviereff

The Republika Srpska presidency elections will entrench the status quo as Bosnia enters a post-Dodik phase with secession on hold. Yet unpredictable U.S. policymaking signals renewed turbulence for Bosnia and the wider region.

Act of sabotage on Polish railway_October 25

Is Russia’s Hybrid War on Europe Becoming Conventional?

Sławomir Sierakowski

From arson attacks on civilian targets to the recent bombing of a rail line between Warsaw and Ukraine, Russian provocations inside Poland are intensifying. By stoking anti-Ukrainian and anti-EU sentiment, the Kremlin hopes to empower the "useful idiots" of the Polish populist right.

Basics of a New Nuclear Strategy for NATO

Lessons from the Cold War

Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp

The debate on NATO’s nuclear deterrence has so far neglected one key question: What political and strategic basis should apply in the extreme case of nuclear weapons being used, and how can such a strategy be developed?