Series:PISM Bulletin

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Syria’s Assad Regime Using Drug Smuggling as a Political Tool

Syria’s Assad Regime Using Drug Smuggling as a Political Tool

Author(s): Sara Nowacka / Language(s): English

Keywords: Syria; drug smuggling; political tool; regime;

The need to combat drug smuggling from Syria to other Arab countries has contributed to their leaders’ decision to normalise relations with Bashar al-Assad in order to convince him to curb the practice. The dismantling of the Assad-run captagon production and smuggling network is also becoming a priority of Western countries’ Middle East policy due to the increasing flow of the drug into Europe as well.

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Difficult Debate on an Intellectual Property Protection Waiver to Fight COVID-19

Difficult Debate on an Intellectual Property Protection Waiver to Fight COVID-19

Author(s): Szymon Zaręba / Language(s): English

Keywords: COVID-19; intellectual property; protection waiver; debate;

The negotiations currently taking place at the WTO on the suspension of, among others, patent protection for vaccines and medicines against COVID-19, are at a standstill. This creates a risk of widening the rift between developing countries, which mostly support the idea, and some developed countries, which oppose it. It also makes it more difficult to increase the supply of patented items, particularly of vaccines, to an extent undermining other efforts by countries and international organisations to contain the pandemic. It is in the interest of Poland and the EU to overcome this impasse.

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An Open Tandem: France and the New Coalition in Germany

An Open Tandem: France and the New Coalition in Germany

Author(s): Łukasz Maślanka / Language(s): English

Keywords: Germany; France; EU; integrations; policy;

President Emmanuel Macron wants the Franco-German tandem to continue to inspire closer European integration. The diversity within the new ruling coalition in Germany and partnerships with other EU countries can make it easier for France to push through its interests in disputes (e.g., energy or budget policy). The durability of the Franco-German partnership will be tested by the presidential and parliamentary elections in France and the support of Olaf Scholz’s cabinet for the priorities of the French presidency of the EU Council.

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Austrian Migration Policy and the Events in Afghanistan and Belarus

Austrian Migration Policy and the Events in Afghanistan and Belarus

Author(s): Łukasz Ogrodnik / Language(s): English

Keywords: Afghanistan; Belarus; Austria; migration policy;

Contrary to the government’s rhetoric about restrictive migration policy, Austria remains open to the settlement of people from outside the EU. The takeover of power by the Taliban in Afghanistan in the summer of 2021 and the intensifying crisis on the border between EU countries and Belarus stimulated the Austrian government in international forums in the field of migration. The prospects for cooperation with the V4 countries in this regard were heightened after interior minister Karl Nehammer was elevated to Chancellor.

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A New Rapprochement in Romanian - Moldovan Relations

A New Rapprochement in Romanian - Moldovan Relations

Author(s): Jakub Pieńkowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: Romania; Moldova; relations; foreign policy;

Since Maia Sandu became president of Moldova in December 2020, Romanian-Moldovan relations have steadily improved. In November 2021 she met for a fourth time with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, signing a “roadmap” of cooperation. Both countries recognise that a linguistic, historical, and cultural community binds them, however the challenge is to move from declarations to the implementation of projects, especially in infrastructure. Romania’s effective involvement in such projects, given its special ties with Moldova, may contribute to the success of its pro-European transformation, which is also supported by Poland.

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Small Island Developing States: A Strong Interest Group on Climate

Small Island Developing States: A Strong Interest Group on Climate

Author(s): Zuzanna Nowak / Language(s): English

Keywords: SIDS; small islands; developing states; climate;

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are an important and formalised group of interests in international climate negotiations. Although they contribute very little to climate change, they are the most vulnerable to its effects. That is why they urge developed countries to take responsibility for this global problem and to increase financial aid to its victims. Although SIDS face opposition to their position, their consistent lobbying may lead to a modification of perceptions of climate change.

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Closer to France: Hungary and the EU after Chancellor Angela Merkel

Closer to France: Hungary and the EU after Chancellor Angela Merkel

Author(s): Veronika Jóźwiak / Language(s): English

Keywords: Hungary; France; EU; Angela Merkel; Germany; relations;

The establishment of a new coalition government in Germany may give rise to greater involvement of the Hungarian government in bilateral relations with France and the French vision of the EU’s development. By working more closely with France, especially in European defence policy, Hungary can counterbalance its weak position in the Union stemming from disputes over the rule of law. At the same time, Hungary can pursue its political goals, such as establishing a new dialogue between the EU and Russia in the current political conditions.

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The CSTO Operation in Kazakhstan

The CSTO Operation in Kazakhstan

Author(s): Anna Maria Dyner / Language(s): English

Keywords: security; CSTO; Kazakhstan; foreign policy;

On 5 January, in response to mass anti-government protests, the president of Kazakhstan asked the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) for help. All member states responded positively and the organisation launched its first mission of this kind. For Russia, the mission had significant political and military importance and was an opportunity to demonstrate the CSTO’s potential to conduct military operations in the post-Soviet area.

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Prospects for Kazakhstan’s Internal and Foreign Policy

Prospects for Kazakhstan’s Internal and Foreign Policy

Author(s): Arkadiusz Legieć / Language(s): English

Keywords: Kazakhstan; internal policy; foreign policy; prospects;

The largest anti-government protests in Kazakhstan’s history have weakened the stability of the regime and its international position. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev used suppression of the demonstrations to seize full power in the state and remove the influence of Nursultan Nazarbayev, who had been controlling things behind the scenes. He turned to military support from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), which will increase Kazakhstan’s dependence on Russia and permanently limit its room for manoeuvre in foreign policy, hampering its relations with the EU and the U.S.

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New Opportunities for the European Chip Industry

New Opportunities for the European Chip Industry

Author(s): Oskar Szydłowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: Europe; chip industry; semiconductors; EU; economy;

Europe’s dependence on semiconductor imports, mainly from Asia, is increasing. The European Commission plans to commit billions of euros to attract investment in the sector with the aim of doubling the EU’s share of the global semiconductor market to 20% by 2030. The most advanced project is Intel plants likely to be located in Germany, France, and Italy. This will help secure supplies for the EU economy and may make it easier to attract further investors.

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Schengen Area: New Measures in Response to the Instrumentalisation of Migration

Schengen Area: New Measures in Response to the Instrumentalisation of Migration

Author(s): Jolanta Szymańska / Language(s): English

Keywords: EC; European Commission; Schengen Area; Migration; Instrumentalisation;

The European Commission’s(EC) proposed reform of the Schengen area isto be the EU’s response not only to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic but also to recent attempts to destabilise the Union through forced migration. The envisaged regulations are to enable the Member States directly affected by the instrumentalisation of migration, including Poland, to react more flexibly to emerging crises. Some of the Commission’s proposals may, however, renew the disputes over overall EU migration policy.

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Various Visions of Environmental Mainstreaming within the UN

Various Visions of Environmental Mainstreaming within the UN

Author(s): Stefania Kolarz / Language(s): English

Keywords: UN; human rights; mainstreaming; environment; climate;

In October last year, the Human Rights Council (HRC) recognised the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a human right. There has been no similar progress in other UN bodies. A Security Council (UNSC) resolution on the climate crisis failed two months later on a Russian veto. The next big test for the international community is this year’s planned adoption of the Global Pact for the Environment.

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COVID, Economy, Security: Themes of the French Presidential Campaign

COVID, Economy, Security: Themes of the French Presidential Campaign

Author(s): Łukasz Maślanka / Language(s): English

Keywords: COVID; economy; security; France; Presidential campaign;

While the French election campaign focuses on internal issues, the most important of them, including fighting the pandemic, the economy, environmental protection, and security issues, relate to the debate over globalisation and European integration. Macron’s policy of strengthening cooperation with partners in the EU and NATO is being criticised by the centre-right candidate Valérie Pécresse or negated by the far-right and far-left. Despite the different views on the future of the EU and the transatlantic partnership, the re-election of Macron seems to be the best scenario for Poland’s interests.

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A Green Wave: The Energy and Climate Policy of the New German Government

A Green Wave: The Energy and Climate Policy of the New German Government

Author(s): Maciej Zaniewicz / Language(s): English

Keywords: New German Government; Energy Policy; Climate Policy; Green Wave;

The German government intends to accelerate the country’s energy transformation by intensifying the development of renewable energy sources (RES) and moving away from coal and nuclear power. At the same time, the government wants to make the fight against climate change one of its foreign policy priorities, including within the EU and the G7. Germany opposes the construction of nuclear power plants in neighbouring countries, which could become a source of tension in Polish-German relations. Potential fields for cooperation will be hydrogen projects and offshore wind energy.

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Humanitarian Catastrophe in Afghanistan: A Crisis by Choice

Humanitarian Catastrophe in Afghanistan: A Crisis by Choice

Author(s): Patryk Kugiel / Language(s): English

Keywords: Afghanistan; humanitarian catastrophe; crisis; Talibans;

One of the world’s most serious humanitarian crises is taking place in Afghanistan and it is largely the result of flawed assumptions of Western policy following the Taliban’s seizure of power. The West’s suspension of development aid has led to the collapse of the economy and to hunger for millions of Afghans. Instead of forcing the Taliban to respect human rights, the actions will have the opposite effect - a humanitarian catastrophe, mass migration, and a failed state. The European Union may soon face these effects directly, so it should take steps to resume development cooperation and avert the worst-case scenario.

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The International Dimension of the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption

The International Dimension of the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption

Author(s): Mateusz Piotrowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: USA; strategy; policy; corruption; international dimension;

The first Strategy on Countering Corruption, adopted on 6 December 2021, assumes that by making better use of existing international regulations and organisations, as well as by establishing new mechanisms, the U.S. will tighten global anti-corruption cooperation. The American goal is to limit the freedom to conduct financial operations by authoritarian states, mainly China and Russia, and at the same time to strengthen democratic countries and promote democracy. For Poland, this is an opportunity to tighten bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the United States.

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New Government of Sweden Just in Several Months before Parliamentary Elections

New Government of Sweden Just in Several Months before Parliamentary Elections

Author(s): Kinga Dudzińska / Language(s): English

Keywords: Magdalena Andersson; Sweden; government;

At the end of November last year, the Riksdag re-elected Magdalena Andersson from the Swedish Social Democratic Workers' Party (SAP) as prime minister of Sweden, this time in a one-party government. The new government’s foreign policy priorities will not change, but Russia’s aggressive actions of late will prompt Sweden to greater international involvement. This is related, for example, to activities to maintain security in Central Europe, which is in line with the objectives of the Polish OSCE presidency.

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The EU’s Response to the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

The EU’s Response to the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

Author(s): Elżbieta Kaca / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU; foreign policy; response; Russia; Ukraine; crisis;

The EU’s reaction to Russia’s military build-up along the Ukrainian border has been limited even though the escalation poses a challenge and a threat to European security. France and Germany have been trying to reactivate the Normandy Format, and the EU is supporting Ukraine through financial assistance, including in the field of civilian security. To strengthen its position, the EU should warn Russia that it may introduce financial sanctions that could affect Russian banks, among others, and halt Nord Stream 2.

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NATO in the Face of Russian Aggression against Ukraine

NATO in the Face of Russian Aggression against Ukraine

Author(s): Wojciech Lorenz / Language(s): English

Keywords: NATO; Ukraine; Russia; aggression; war;

The intensification of the threat of Russian aggression against Ukraine has once again revealed differences among NATO allies regarding possible sanctions against Russia and practical support for Ukraine. Nevertheless, the Alliance has maintained its cohesion and has taken measures that may significantly increase the cost of possible aggression. However, it will be a challenge to maintain the unity in the long run, both in the event of Russian attack and the continuous military pressure on Ukraine to force concessions in negotiations with the West.

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ISIS Increasingly Eyes Sub-Saharan Africa

ISIS Increasingly Eyes Sub-Saharan Africa

Author(s): Jędrzej Czerep / Language(s): English

Keywords: ISIS; Sub-Saharan Africa; security;

Sub-Saharan Africa is becoming a priority for ISIS, which seeks to strengthen its potential and propaganda in the region where the terrorist organisation has staged the most attacks in recent months. The increasing ties between Sub-Saharan militant groups and ISIS Central, in conjunction with the weakening military involvement of France in the region, will make it difficult to combat terrorism. It will also increase the threat to European entities in the region, but not Europe itself.

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