Baku is attempting to exploit anti-French sentiment in the Comoros, a move right out of Russia’s foreign policy playbook. Europeans should act fast to secure their Indian Ocean ally
While Russia remains a potent player in parts of Africa, recent events in the Sahelian states have shown that Russian forces are deeply overstretched and losing credibility. It is obvious to all involved that Moscow has no solutions – which leaves a diplomatic opening for the West
The Black Sea’s strategic importance is increasingly evident in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russia’s weakening military capacity in the Black Sea region presents an opportunity for the EU to further its security, trade, and connectivity interests – while providing support for its littoral states
The de facto absence of European arms control regimes has opened political and operational security gaps. NATO and its partner states should strengthen their cross-border expertise and balance stronger deterrence measures with effective restraint
When it comes to elections, Vladimir Putin is not one for surprises. But his love for certainty may be the regime’s undoing – without some remnant of electoral competition, the Kremlin cannot address Russian resentment until its out on the streets
The recent prisoner swap between Russia and the West raises pressing questions over how Western decision-makers should negotiate with Moscow in the future without giving it the upper hand