We kindly inform you that, as long as the subject affiliation of our 300.000+ articles is in progress, you might get unsufficient or no results on your third level or second level search. In this case, please broaden your search criteria.

0.00 €

Thoughts of Romania’s Foreign Policy on the Background of the European Foreign Policy

Author(s): Corneliu Pivariu / Language(s): English

In the last decade the strategic, political, economic, military, energy and technological balances were strongly affected by global challenges, strategic, political, juridical and technological disruptions each one impacting on one or several fields. Human society is in a evolutionary crisis which the main international traditional players are not able yet to manage properly and each one of them seeks to position itself as profitable as possible in anticipation of a new world order in a globalized world. The developments are fast and often momentous, and as one of the attendees noted – important geopolitical events that occurred in the last two months are equaling the ones that took place in the last decade.

More...

0.00 €

3De-evolution of Europe - The equation of Communism with Nazism

Author(s): Anis H. Bajrektarević / Language(s): English

It was indeed cynical and out-of-touch for the EU (Parliament) to suddenly blame, after 80 years, the Soviet Union for triggering WWII. It is unwise (to say least) to resurrect the arguments surrounding the circumstances of the start of World War II. The historians have agreed, the history has been written and well documented, and is in our books already for many decades. There is no point in contemporary politicians of eastern flank of the EU (with a striking but complicit silence from the central Europe) pushing up the facts regarding who was to blame. There are neither mandated, nor qualified or even expected to do so.

More...

0.00 €

Vladimir Putin’s politics in harmony with the Orthodox Church - The Rebirth of the Patriarch of Moscow

Author(s): Filippo Romeo / Language(s): English

The Orthodox Church and the Christian tradition have always assumed a role of primary importance in Russian history and tradition. The origins of Christianity in Russia go back to 988 and coincide with the baptism of Prince Vladimir the Great. He had come to Constantinople, following which the evangelization of the Principality Kievan Rus’ started. The latter included the space currently occupied by the areas of Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus, considered the predecessor of the Russian Empire. Formed by Igor in 882, the Principality Kievan Rus’ is the first political form organised by the Oriental Slav tribes placed on those territories. This gave rise to the common orthodox faith and the Russian people’s sense of national belonging. Retracing the path of the Principality one can indeed observe that the Orthodox Christian Faith was immediately embraced by those populations. It also succeeded in asserting itself in the Eastern zones, where there was strong pagan influence. This barely digested the advent of the new creed and accompanied their evolution, acting as a stalwart for the Country’s national and cultural identity. Orthodoxy is even granted with Scripture, which is surely a culture’s fundamental principle. It was introduced via the spread of Christianity among the Slav tribes through the creation of the Cyrillic characters due to two great saints, Cyril and Methodius. It also constituted the prerequisite for the political and cultural development of the Principality of Kiev, leaving a heritage that would last even after its disintegration.

More...

0.00 €

The Future of Turkey after the Last Elections: the Kurdish question and the economic outlook

Author(s): Diego Del Priore / Language(s): English

The last parliamentary elections in Turkey mark a political and an institutional turning point in the country's history. The importance of the vote derives from two main factors. Firstly, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's Party of Justice and Development (AKP) has lost its parliamentary majority, although it remains the largest party in the Parliament with 258 seats and 40.9% of the votes. This is the first time that the party has been in this position since 2002, when the AKP swept to power and retained a majority in the Turkish Parliament. However, the AKP failed to achieve its objective of 350 seats, as the party leader and president of the Republic since August 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had hoped.

More...

0.00 €

The Russian-Ukrainian conflict over Crimea

Author(s): Anton Bebler / Language(s): English

For the last four decades security in Europe has been burdened by armed violence accompanying the disintegration of a number of states in the Eastern Mediterranean, Western Balkans and the territory of the former Soviet Union. They have resulted in the creation of many new internationally recognised states, unrecognised state-like entities and unresolved ‘frozen’ conflicts. A probable newcomer to the last type appeared in spring 2014 – the Ukrainian-Russian conflict over Crimea. Most of the international community does not recognise its annexation by Russia and considers that Crimea still belongs to Ukraine. The annexation and related attempted secessions and armed hostilities in Eastern Ukraine have worsened the West’s relations with Russia and the general political climate in the EuroAtlantic area. The political and legal stand-off between Ukraine and Russia has created an additional ‘frozen’ conflict in Europe.

More...

0.00 €

The genocide in Srebrenica (and in Rwanda) and its impact on the development of international law

Author(s): Ernest Petrič / Language(s): English

In Srebrenica the crime of genocide was committed, and elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina crimes against humanity and war crimes were also committed. This is the conclusion, which was drawn by the ICJ in the Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Serbia/Montenegro case. I, as a lawyer and as a person, share the criticism of the ICJ judgement in this case. The mass murders in Bosnia and Herzegovina of Muslims/Boshniacs went on for three years from the summer of 1992 until the Srebrenica massacre in the summer of 1995. Mass graves are still being discovered. It is no doubt that there were several ten thousands murdered in an organised way because they were Muslims/Boshniacs, in Srebrenica, in Prijedor, in Bijelina, Višegrad etc., with a clearly defined purpose (dolus specialis) to cleanse parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina of its Muslim population. Indeed, like "holocaust", which was also committed over several years, from 1939 to 1945 at different places, with the same purpose (dolus specialis) – to exterminate Jews from Germany and parts of Europe controlled by the Nazis. Surprisingly too many, the majority in the ICJ opted for a narrow interpretation of the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Genocide drafted in special historic circumstances in the early years after 1945. There are thus good reasons to claim that the crime of genocide was not limited only to Srebrenica but occurred all over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

More...

0.00 €

Bosnia and Herzegovina: The final phase of genocide?

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Recent events in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) have once again reminded how fragile peace and stability remain in this country. Although the European Union (EU) has announced it would pursue a more active policy on Bosnia and Herzegovina after the formation of new state government, other events may prevent the realisation of that promise. The Ukraine conflict, the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, an alarming increase in the number of refugees from Africa and the fact that EU still has to devote much of its attention to Greece as one of its Member States – all these elements represent a real threat that the West Balkans will again be pushed down on the list of priorities of European politics.

More...

0.00 €

Geopolitics & Organized Crime and Corruption in the Early 21st Century with Reference to the Balkans

Author(s): Blagoje Grahovac / Language(s): English

Let’s summarize the main determinants of political and social developments of the Northern Hemisphere (and beyond) over the last two centuries. In short, national states were built in the 19th and civic states in the 20th century. Political jargon for all socio-political processes has established an original term - the new world order. If we simply relied on this term, then the main determinant of the "new world order" for the 21st century would be contained in the formula: with democratization into integration until globalization.

More...

0.00 €

Reforms of (Private) University Sector in Kosovo 2009

Author(s): Aljaf Bakhtyar,Zijad Bećirović / Language(s): English

A comprehensive reform of the higher educational sector is underway in Kosovo. This is the first action of the government of this kind after independence and also first after the adoption of the law on higher education by UNMIK administration in May 2003. The universities are part of societies and regardless of their high level of autonomy and academic freedom changes are necessary. The intention of the new law is to set up a comprehensive system for quality assurance, licensing and accreditation procedures and methodology for stable financing of higher education for both, public and private sector. The reform process is focused on the public University of Prishtina and public University of Mitrovica (this university is operating as unofficial part of Serbian University system) and also to the private university sector.

More...

0.00 €

Local Election in Kosovo: The Ugly Political Language of PDK

Author(s): Aljaf Bakhtyar,Zijad Bećirović / Language(s): English

Even though Democratic Party Kosovo (PDK) did start election campaign, long before official time, impression was that somehow it would get over without any further problems. But, only after couple of days, when the election campaign began, particularly from (PDK) campaign language of communication started to get ugly, especially the one against Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). PDK with its unexpected attacks, with its strong language of communication, exceeded unusually, red line, of tolerance and calmness, which is well known standard of political communication in Kosovo.

More...

0.00 €

University Reform in Kosovo: Reforms of (Private) University Sector in Kosovo 2009

Author(s): Aljaf Bakhtyar,Zijad Bećirović / Language(s): English

A comprehensive reform of the higher educational sector is underway in Kosovo. This is the first action of the government of this kind after independence and also first after the adoption of the law on higher education by UNMIK administration in May 2003. The universities are part of societies and regardless of their high level of autonomy and academic freedom changes are necessary. The intention of the new law is to set up a comprehensive system for quality assurance, licensing and accreditation procedures and methodology for stable financing of higher education for both, public and private sector. The reform process is focused on the public University of Prishtina and public University of Mitrovica (this university is operating as unofficial part of Serbian University system) and also to the private university sector.

More...

0.00 €

Unequal competition. The consequences of the liberalisation of EU–Ukraine road carriage for Central Europe

Author(s): Konrad Popławski / Language(s): English

An agreement between the EU and Ukraine on the partial liberalisation of the carriage of freight by road, which was signed in June 2022, has caused a major transformation of this market. On the one hand, it accelerated the Ukrainian economy’s shift towards the West, which resulted in an increase in Ukraine’s trade with the EU. On the other hand, it contributed to a rapid rise in the quantity of the bilateral carriage of freight by road carried out by Ukrainian freight forwarders. This, in turn, affected the segment of Central European transport companies, which concentrated on handling trade with Eastern European countries.

More...

0.00 €

Turkey and the European Union: in a maze of disputes

Author(s): Adam Michalski / Language(s): English

Turkey has been a political challenge for the EU for more than a decade now. This stems from the widening gap between them caused by factors such as the evolution of the Turkish political model and its approach to international conflicts. As a consequence, the process of Ankara’s integration with the EU has remained frozen for years; successive reports from the European Commission evaluating its progress in the enlargement process have been strongly critical, which has only aggravated the existing disputes.

More...

0.00 €

Islamic State-Khorasan: global jihad’s new front

Author(s): Krzysztof Strachota / Language(s): English

The attack on the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk on 22 March which claimed the lives of 139 individuals was another spectacular terrorist attack carried out by Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) in recent months. The previous attacks happened in Iran, Turkey and other countries, while those planned in Germany, Sweden and other locations were thwarted. These developments indicate that the organisation has modified its strategy, which until recently had focused on Afghanistan. They also suggest that ISIS-K has major potential for generating threats. A unique feature of the present situation is the rapid increase in the participation of citizens of post-Soviet Central Asian states (mainly Tajikistan). However this mainly results from circumstances within Russia itself, which foster radicalisation. The risk of new attacks prepared or inspired by ISIS-K should be viewed as high.

More...

0.00 €

Carbon contracts for difference: Germany’s new instrument to decarbonise its industry

Author(s): Michał Kędzierski / Language(s): English

Germany has launched the implementation of a new, innovative programme to support the decarbonisation of its energy-intensive industries. The use of the so-called carbon contracts for difference will, for the first time, make it possible to subsidise not only investments in new installations but also the current operational costs, as the state intends to cover the difference between the costs of conventional and low-carbon energy production until the latter becomes more profitable. In line with Berlin’s concept, this decision is expected to bring a breakthrough in the decarbonisation of its industry, and also to enable German companies to gain competitive advantage, collect know-how, and improve & commercialise new technologies which are viewed as future-proof.

More...

0.00 €

Putin’s spectacle: the Soviet-style presidential ‘election’

Author(s): Maria Domańska,Piotr Żochowski / Language(s): English

The presidential pseudo-election on 15–17 March was orchestrated to be an unequivocal triumph for Vladimir Putin, and as proof of allegedly overwhelming public support for his policies, including the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The authorities employed methods of manipulating and falsifying the results on an unprecedented scale, including compelling people to participate in completely opaque online voting. The record-high official result for Putin (87.3%) and turnout (77.4%), reportedly the highest in the Russian Federation’s history, are entirely unreliable. However, such results are expected to give the president carte blanche to continue his dictatorial rule – most likely for life.

More...

0.00 €

The EU’s ambivalent neighbours. Brussels on the South Caucasus

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

During the current terms of office of the European Commission and the President of the European Council, both of which end in 2024, the EU has stepped up its activities in the South Caucasus in an unprecedented manner. It has become involved in the political infighting in Georgia and in mediation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and enhanced its economic relations with the latter by developing various transport projects. On the one hand, its increased activity has come as a response to the developments in and around the region. On the other, the actions it has taken are consistent with its strategic policy objective of strengthening the former Soviet states and expanding the zone of stability in its own neighbourhood. The head of the European Council Charles Michel has played a major role in animating the EU’s policy by personally participating in many of its initiatives. The granting of candidate status to Georgia marked the beginning of a qualitatively new stage in the EU’s presence in the region, even if this country is extremely unlikely to join the EU anytime soon.

More...

0.00 €

A German house. Controversy over commemoration of the Polish victims of the Second World War

Author(s): Kamil Frymark,Anna Kwiatkowska / Language(s): English

Commissioned by the German state, a German-Polish House is to be built in Berlin. This concept is the result of a debate lasting several years about whether it would be legitimate for the German capital to see the creation of a monument to the victims of crimes perpetrated against the Polish nation during the Second World War. In line with the currently valid concept, the initiative will be based on three main elements: commemoration (creation of an ‘artistic element’), the construction of a museum housing a permanent exhibition and temporary displays, and educational projects. The substantive aspect will focus on the Nazi German aggression against Poland and its brutal occupation in 1939–45. The project will be carried out by two German institutions: the Foundation of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, which prepared the House’s concept, and the German Institute of Polish Affairs, which is responsible for the initiative’s operational aspect and the preparation of educational programmes. Political supervision of the project is carried out by the Federal Chancellery represented by Secretary of State Claudia Roth (the Greens).

More...

0.00 €

Unplugged. The uncertain future of electromobility in Germany

Author(s): Michał Kędzierski / Language(s): English

The German electric car market has seen a rapid growth over the past few years, with the country becoming the undisputed electromobility leader in Europe. This success has largely been possible thanks to generous subsidies for electric vehicle purchases. However, the German government’s sudden decision in December 2023 to end the subsidy programme has cast doubt on the further development of electromobility in this country. Both the industry itself and experts anticipate that this decision will have a negative impact on sales in this market sector for up to two years.

More...

0.00 €

The effect of the sanctions: the Russian LNG sector’s problems

Author(s): Filip Rudnik / Language(s): English

The successive moves to tighten the Western sanctions regime targeting the Russian LNG sector have aggravated the problems affecting it as it faces major difficulties which are jeopardising its further development. The technology embargo and other restrictions have resulted in delays in the construction of new liquefaction installations and in the multiplication of challenges regarding logistics and funding. The sanctions are also generating additional costs for the state and reducing its gas revenues.

More...