Good Playlist: Eastern European politics ▶️ Petia Kostadinova - February 2, 2024 An Eastern European politics scholar offers a list of videos to help students understand the region's history.
Ukraine accused Russia of torture. Here’s how to prosecute those crimes. Alyson Reynolds, Elijah Tsai, and Kelebogile Zvobgo - November 22, 2022 Ukraine’s allies can use their own courts to investigate war crimes
Bulgaria is no closer to a stable government after Sunday’s elections Tim Haughton and Emilia Zankina - October 4, 2022 Four things to know about Bulgaria’s fourth time at the polls in 18 months
Sweden’s next prime minister will juggle an awkward coalition Jacob Christensen - September 22, 2022 Passing budgets and laws won’t be easy, given the policy disagreements among the four parties
Sweden’s new governing coalition relies on a party founded by neo-Nazis Anders Ravik Jupskås - September 15, 2022 That’s a first — but the right-wing parties forming the next government don’t necessarily agree on social and economic issues
Four reasons Belarus isn’t likely to send troops to Ukraine Tatsiana Kulakevich - September 14, 2022 Fighting Russia’s war would not help Lukashenko stay in power
Is Russia’s wartime propaganda more powerful than family bonds? Tymofii Brik, Jordan Gans-Morse, and Aaron Erlich - June 19, 2022 A new survey examines the conversations between Ukrainians and their Russian relatives
The Ukraine crisis may reinvigorate Eastern European democracies Nikolay Marinov and Maria Popova - May 23, 2022 Countries are now focused on Russia vs. Europe, rather than internal corruption
Slovenia voted against an illiberal leader and for an untested party Tim Haughton and Alenka Krasovec - April 25, 2022 Why did a brand-new party win the parliamentary election?
NATO was founded to protect ‘civilized’ people. That means White. Amoz JY Hor - April 10, 2022 Four historical examples show how much race has always mattered in defining ‘Western civilization’
Condemning Putin will make it harder to end the conflict with Russia Samuel Helfont - March 30, 2022 Consider how hard it was to lift sanctions after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait
Ukrainians are rallying global support via social media. But don’t call it a TikTok war. Jen Schradie - March 23, 2022 Here’s what my research finds
Zelensky isn’t the first leader to feel frustrated by the E.U. Julia Gray - March 17, 2022 Other countries committed to joining, yet have no clear path to full membership
The E.U. granted Ukrainian refugees temporary protection. Why the different response from past migrant crises? Nicholas R. Micinski - March 16, 2022 People who fled the war in Ukraine wait for relocation
The Ukraine conflict has Persian Gulf monarchies hedging their bets Cinzia Bianco - March 14, 2022 Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates haven’t been aligning with the U.S. — or Russia
There are two ways to kick Russia out of the world trade system. One is more likely to work. Timothy Meyer and Todd N. Tucker - March 11, 2022 Would WTO members change the rules?
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine didn’t rely on cyberwarfare. Here’s why. Shawn W. Lonergan, Erica D. Lonergan, Brandon Valeriano, and Benjamin Jensen - March 7, 2022 Cyber operations don’t win wars, our research finds.
Germany didn’t used to spend much on its military. Putin changed that. Marina E. Henke - March 6, 2022 Many German politicians were convinced that the Russian president was bluffing about Ukraine
NATO can’t send troops to Ukraine. Here is what it will probably do instead. Sara Moller - February 28, 2022 The security and defense of alliance members that border Russia and Ukraine will be a top priority.
Here’s what ‘high combat alert’ for Russia’s nuclear forces means James J. Cameron - February 28, 2022 And how did the United States and its allies respond?
A majority of Ukrainians support joining NATO. Does this matter? Olga Onuch and Javier Pérez Sandoval - February 4, 2022 Support has been growing across all parts of Ukraine — not just regions close to Europe
Thousands of men, women and children remain in detention because of their former ties to ISIS Devorah Margolin and Austin Doctor - February 2, 2022 Our research identifies what’s blocking repatriation
Turkey’s president insists on low interest rates. That could cost him politically, this research shows. David Steinberg - January 12, 2022 As Turkey slashed interest rates last year, the value of the Turkish lira plummeted
What do Russia’s cyber moves mean for the Ukraine crisis? Shawn W. Lonergan and Erica D. Lonergan - January 11, 2022 Ambiguous signals raise the risk of miscalculating what’s really going on
Biden is threatening Putin with European energy sanctions. That may be difficult to pull off. Emily Holland - December 15, 2021 Europe is counting on a new Russian gas pipeline to alleviate energy shortages
How do you persuade skeptics to get vaccinated? Trust matters more than information. Pauline Jones and Laura Rozek - June 10, 2021 That’s what we found by surveying more than 15 countries in five world regions
The E.U. can’t stick to its Belarus sanctions. Will this time be different? Alexander Lanoszka - May 25, 2021 Further sanctions might harm ordinary Belarusians — and push leaders and businesses closer to Russia
Bulgaria hasn’t been able to form a government. What happens now? Stefka P. Yordanova and Nina S. Barzachka - April 29, 2021 Here’s where the different parties stand on issues that threaten to divide the E.U. and the broader Atlantic partnership
Bulgaria’s election was all about corruption, not covid-19. Here are 4 takeaways. Yuxiang Lin, Tim Haughton, and Emilia Zankina - April 7, 2021 A fragmented parliament diminishes the prime minister’s chances of forming a government
Moldova’s new president is likely to seek closer ties with Europe. Russia won’t be pleased. Marius Ghincea - November 23, 2020 The outgoing president favored a strong relationship with Moscow.
Does covid-19 raise the risk of violent conflict? Not everywhere. Colette Salemi - October 15, 2020 New research shows conflicts rose in some countries but fell in others.
If Putin sends troops to Belarus, don’t expect Russians to applaud Maria Snegovaya - September 14, 2020 Russians don’t like military adventures in bad economic times, my research finds
The State Department says the Chinese Communist Party controls Chinese companies. It’s not that simple. Meg Rithmire - September 7, 2020 State-funded Chinese firms at times actually subvert Beijing’s interests.
Belarus votes on Sunday. Our new survey shows what young voters are thinking. Félix Krawatzek - August 7, 2020 In a significant shift, 75 percent of young Belarusians distrust their president
Poland’s digital divide may have helped secure President Duda’s reelection Matthew Placek - August 4, 2020 Research suggests online communities are more supportive of liberal democracy
We asked what Poles think about voting in a pandemic and the election that was scheduled for May 10 Radosław Markowski and Hubert Tworzecki - May 10, 2020 This year’s electoral irregularities were far greater than anything reported in the past
The U.S. labeled a white supremacist group as ‘terrorists’ for the first time. It’s less significant than you think. Anna Meier - April 29, 2020 Why pick an obscure group that’s not yet linked to an attack?
Will Trump’s name on stimulus checks help win him votes in November? Virginia Oliveros, Rebecca Weitz-Shapiro, and Matthew Winters - April 28, 2020 What we know about the consequences of name-stamping public policy
Will Vladimir Putin become Russia’s prime minister after 2024? Stephen Whitefield and Paul Chaisty - January 28, 2020 Here’s why he might not want to.
Europe’s communist regimes began to collapse 30 years ago, but still shape political views Joshua Tucker and Grigore Pop-Eleches - November 11, 2019 Visitors gather in front of illuminated stages in front of
30 years after the Berlin Wall fell, some former Soviet-controlled countries are dismantling democracy. What happened? Pauline Jones and Anna Grzymala-Busse - November 8, 2019 How did Russia, populism and ‘illiberal democracy’ creep back in?
When the Berlin Wall fell 30 years ago, it shook up U.S. politics. Here’s how. James Goldgeier - November 8, 2019 Republicans have been divided on foreign policy ever since the Cold War ended.
Republicans say that Trump’s quid pro quos were normal. Here’s why they’re wrong. James Goldgeier and Elizabeth N. Saunders - October 29, 2019 The body of existing testimony shows how Trump has crossed the line
We checked 100 years of protests in 150 countries. Here’s what we learned about the working class and democracy. Tore Wig, Sirianne Dahlum, and Carl Knutsen - October 24, 2019 The success of mass protests depends on who is doing the protesting.
China celebrates 70 years of communist rule. What explains the resilience of its regime? Jessica Chen Weiss - October 7, 2019 In 1989, the Chinese Communist Party survived popular unrest — while Europe’s communist regimes did not.
Russian propaganda isn’t as effective as you may think Theodore Gerber and Hannah Chapman - September 4, 2019 Our research shows it only influences neighboring countries’ citizens on subjects they know little about
Czech protesters are trying to defend democracy, 30 years after the Velvet Revolution. Can they succeed? Petra Guasti, Michael Bernhard, and Lenka Bustikova - July 15, 2019 Our research shows that, yes, demonstrations can prevent the erosion of democracy. Here’s what’s going on.
Wait — why are the U.S., Russia and the E.U. suddenly cooperating in Moldova? Mitchell A. Orenstein and Ecaterina Locoman - June 25, 2019 And can the government they installed survive?
Europe’s democracies are in trouble. To understand why, look to the past. Henry Farrell - June 7, 2019 Building stable democracies is a slow and painful process.
How has Tiananmen changed China? Yuhua Wang - June 3, 2019 Violence can influence people for a long time — despite repression — because families talk about it.
Ukraine elected a sitcom president. What can Western politicians learn from this script? Mitchell A. Orenstein - April 28, 2019 Voters were drawn to Volodymyr Zelensky’s comedic wit — but also his flexibility.
NATO turns 70 this week. Here’s how the alliance stays relevant — despite Trump. Garret Martin and Balazs Martonffy - April 1, 2019 The Alliance has ways to cope.
Not all Christian leaders in Africa are opposed to LGBTQ inclusion Sarah K. Dreier - March 6, 2019 There’s more to the story of the drama in the Methodist church.
Moldovans vote on Sunday. Here’s the man to watch. Mitchell A. Orenstein and Ecaterina Locoman - February 23, 2019 A woman walks past electoral campaign posters Friday in downtown
What the INF Treaty means for the U.S. and Europe James Cameron - February 1, 2019 Editor's note: On Feb. 1, 2019, the Trump administration followed
Will Venezuela’s military back — or abandon — Maduro? Here are the 4 things it will consider. Eva Bellin and David Pion-Berlin - February 1, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83327" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Security forces guard the entrance of
Behind Russia’s cyberwarfare lies a serious case of cyber-phobia Lincoln Pigman - January 17, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82702" align="aligncenter" width="960"] (Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg News)[/caption] After two U.S.
When left-leaning parties support austerity, their voters start to embrace the far right Maria Snegovaya - November 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80438" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Left- and right-wing sympathizers hold flags
When President Trump heads to Europe, discussion turns to burden-sharing. James Goldgeier - November 14, 2018 Editor's note: On Tuesday, Trump tweeted that French President Emmanuel
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is trying to withdraw from Moscow’s control. The Kremlin is not happy. Robert Person and Aaron Brantly - October 31, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79609" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople,
Here’s what the Russians think about the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty Dmitry Gorenburg - October 26, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79421" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S.
Today, NATO begins a huge military exercise. Here’s what you need to know. Ralph Clem - October 25, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79358" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The U.S. Marine Corps version of
Austria now holds the E.U. presidency. Expect a tougher stance on immigration. Nina Barzachka - August 2, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76260" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz speaks with
What Trump and Putin want from their historic summit Jordan Gans-Morse and Joshua Tucker - July 14, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75621" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump shakes hands with Russian
Support for democracy is declining — but not in the U.S. or other Western democracies Christopher Claassen - July 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75335" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Voting signs at the Marie H
The U.S. isn’t being very neighborly. Here’s what it means for Canada’s foreign policy. Stephanie Carvin - July 1, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75194" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump meets with Canadian Prime
The U.S. withdrew from the U.N. Human Rights Council. That’s not how the council was supposed to work. Susan Allen and Martin Edwards - June 26, 2018 https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/segments/haley-says-us-withdrawing-from-un-human-rights-council/2018/06/19/cc903144-740b-11e8-bda1-18e53a448a14_video.html?utm_term=.5e47dca26214 Last week, the United States pulled out of the
What North and South Korea can learn from German reunification James Goldgeier - April 28, 2018 South Korea’s Moon Jae-in and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un
If Putin has kompromat on Trump, how might he use it? Scott Radnitz - April 24, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72612" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump and Russia's President Vladimir
Russians are actually getting less xenophobic Hannah Chapman - April 18, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72388" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People walk in Moscow on April 9.
The census has always been political. Especially when it comes to race, ethnicity, and national origin. Shom Mazumder - March 30, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68907" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In 2015, activists hold signs during
Families of victims of Russia’s mall fire are angry. What does this mean for Putin’s power? Christopher Jarmas - March 29, 2018 [caption id="attachment_71570" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to
Underfunding the State Department could hurt U.S. exports — and U.S. companies Raymond Hicks and Matthew Connelly - February 14, 2018 [caption id="attachment_59710" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The Trump administration has proposed a
Why would authoritarian Belarus liberalize cryptocurrencies? Tatsiana Kulakevich - January 25, 2018 The rise of virtual currencies is pushing governments around the
In Moscow, candidates opposed to Putin are running — and winning. Here’s why that matters. Yana Gorokhovskaia - January 4, 2018 [caption id="attachment_67673" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during
Did Trump try to lose today’s United Nations vote on Israel? Erik Voeten - December 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67538" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the
Republicans used to compare talking to Moscow to talking to Hitler. Trump changed that. James Goldgeier - December 14, 2017 Editor's note: We asked James Goldgeier to revisit his July
The 2017 TMC Holiday Gift Guide Laura Seay - December 9, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67150" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Sock monkey's first Christmas (Courtesy of
Yes, the Kremlin is worried — about Russia’s own presidential elections Christopher Jarmas - December 6, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66986" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to
5 reasons that populist billionaire Andrej Babis is likely to win the Czech elections Vlastimil Havlik and Tim Haughton - October 19, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65080" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A poster depicting Andrej Babis hangs
Hungary and Slovakia challenged Europe’s refugee scheme. They just lost badly. Melissa Carlson, Laura Jakli, and Katerina Linos - September 8, 2017 On Wednesday morning, the European Court of Justice turned down
There are 4 big barriers to the populist model in America (and your democracy is safe) Kurt Weyland - August 11, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61033" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump gives a thumbs up
Why is Poland’s Law and Justice Party trying to rein in the judiciary? Radoslaw Markowski and Hubert Tworzecki - July 26, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61486" align="alignleft" width="982"] People take part in a “Chain
As Trump leaves for Europe, a question looms: Will he really commit to NATO once and for all? Kelly McFarland - July 6, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60654" align="aligncenter" width="960"] NATO flags flutter during the final
Trump’s travel ban is built on a law meant to ‘protect’ the U.S. from Jews and communists Richard Friman - June 26, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60237" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People protesting the Trump administration's travel
More states are registering voters automatically. Here’s how that affects voting. Robert Griffin and Paul Gronke - June 16, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59973" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Some states are automatically registering qualified
Trump isn’t a huge fan of NATO. But his complaints are off target. James Goldgeier - May 24, 2017 Although there was relief in Europe when President Trump declared last
President Trump doesn’t mind business debt. But what does that say about his fiscal policy? Ryan Saylor - April 28, 2017 [caption id="attachment_41248" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In May 2016, then-candidate Donald Trump
Bulgaria’s government will include far-right nationalist parties for the first time Nina Barzachka - April 25, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57229" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A worker attaches barbed wire to
Pundits condemn Britain’s tough line on Brexit. They’re wrong. Paul Whiteley, Matthew Goodwin, and Harold Clarke - April 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57115" align="aligncenter" width="960"] German piglets being readied for market.
Hungary’s government wants to shut down its most prominent university. That may be backfiring. Henry Farrell - April 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56659" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People protest the bill that would
This is why Hungary is trying to close George Soros’s prestigious university Jan Zilinsky and Gabor Simonovits - April 7, 2017 On April 4, 2017, the Hungarian Parliament amended a law
Russians are protesting! Part 2: Any government response will bring out more protesters. Theodore Gerber - March 31, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56126" align="alignnone" width="960"] Opposition supporters attend a rally in
In Belarus, Europe’s “last dictator” is actually allowing protest. Here’s why. Paul Schuler, Christopher Fariss, and Charles Crabtree - March 24, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55778" align="alignnone" width="960"] A protester shouts slogans and holds
Putin is waiting to see whether Trump will fund pro-democracy programs Timothy Gill - March 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55557" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Traditional Russian wooden dolls depicting President
The Kremlin and Russia’s regional governments are at odds. That’s a problem for Putin. Christopher Jarmas - February 24, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54644" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin leads a
Is the White House ready for these ‘nightmare scenarios’ in U.S. foreign policy? James Vreeland and David Laitin - February 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54465" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A technician prepares a Ukrainian MIG-29
Why the Women’s March may be the start of a serious social movement Emily Gade - January 30, 2017 This is the fourth post in our series on what social
Worried about NATO? Here are 3 things to watch. Sara Moller - January 26, 2017 [caption id="attachment_50936" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Dutch soldiers take part in large-scale
Social policies don’t always help women and men equally. Which ones work best? Sidita Kushi and Ian McManus - January 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52286" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Demonstrators wave signs against social cuts