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UKRAINE: The War in Ukraine and the Occupied Areas

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This week, I want to take a closer look at the war in Ukraine, with a particular focus on the occupied territories. The situation in these areas remains deeply concerning, and it is important that we continue to talk about it. The war has now lasted for more than a decade since Russia’s initial intervention in 2014, and there is always a risk that people outside the region begin to look away. That must not happen. In this post, I will look at which areas are occupied, how civilians are reportedly being treated, and why the future of these regions remains central to any discussion of peace. UKRAINE’S OCCUPIED AREAS Russia currently controls roughly one-fifth of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory. This includes most or all of Crimea, large parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and occupied areas in the south, including parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Cities such as Mariupol have also been under Russian control since earlier stages of the full-scale invasion. Life in th...
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Hungary: Is Democracy Making a Comeback?

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This weekend, Hungarians head to the polls in a pivotal election with far-reaching implications for Europe. Long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faces a serious challenge, raising the possibility of a political turning point. Yet the stakes are high, and the outcome remains uncertain. In this week’s blog post, we ask: will voters opt for change and back the opposition leader, Péter Magyar, or will Orbán extend his 16-year grip on power? WHO IS PETER MAGYAR? Péter Magyar has spent the past two years on a relentless campaign that now culminates this weekend, positioning himself as the most serious challenger in years to Viktor Orbán. Born in 1981, Magyar grew up in a well-educated, middle-class family with strong ties to public service, an environment that exposed him early to law, governance, and national politics. He later studied law and economics at leading Hungarian institutions and gained international experience, building a technocratic profile grounded in constitutional think...
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EDITOR'S CORNER: Politics for Bandits and Global Disorder

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With the war in Iran entering its second month, and with renewed talk of Donald Trump ’s ambitions tied to Iran’s oil, we are forced to confront an uncomfortable question: what kind of world are we living in? What does it mean when the leader of the so-called free world appears willing to intervene in nation after nation, driven by access to resources and strategic gain? How might rival powers respond? Countries like Russia and China are always watching, carefully assessing every move made by the United States . And as the saying goes, what is good for one may soon be justified for others. In this week’s blog, I want to reflect on this reality. Is this the kind of world we want—one where power and profit outweigh principle? What has become of alliances, diplomacy, and the shared goal of promoting democracy? NO CLEAR AMBITI ONS IN IRAN Let’s take a closer look at the current state of the war in Iran. At the moment, the primary objective seems to be reopening the Strait of Hormuz...
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EDITOR'S CORNER: How Likely Is Russia to Attack Europe?

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Several Telegram channels have recently promoted the idea of a “Narva People’s Republic". This campaign closely resembles the messaging used during the occupation of Crimea and Donbas in 2014. While small channels alone may have limited influence, the broader context is concerning. Russian television hosts are also openly discussing the possibility of invading Narva to disrupt NATO, and several high-level European leaders have warned that Russia could test Europe in the near future. Taken together, these signals raise serious concerns about regional security in Europe.  This week’s blog post explores these questions: How capable is Russia of striking Europe, and are the Baltic states at risk of an attack in the near term?   WHAT IS THE NARVA PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC? Over the past few weeks, a number of pro-Russian Telegram channels and social media accounts have been circulating claims about a so-called “ Narva People’s Republic ” in north-eastern Estonia, near the Russian border. T...
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EDITOR'S CORNER: Which War is More Important?

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Three weeks in, and the war in Iran is only growing more complicated. As noted last week, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, oil prices are still elevated, and questions about America’s intentions in Iran persist—still unresolved after all this time. One notable development in the conversation surrounding this conflict is the comparison being drawn between Iran and Ukraine: which war matters more, and which is more likely to reshape the balance of power on the global stage? That’s the question I want to explore in this post. In the shadow of a new and escalating crisis, are we beginning to forget Ukraine? WHAT IS GOING ON IN IRAN? At this stage, the situation in Iran remains tense but largely unchanged in its broader trajectory. Reports continue to suggest ongoing exchanges between Iran and opposing forces in the region, with military activity contributing to instability across neighboring countries. States such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are feeling the spillover effects o...
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EDITOR'S CORNER: Why Oil Prices Are Exploding Because of the Iran War

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The conflict in Iran has now stretched nearly two weeks, with casualties mounting among both civilians and regime forces. America’s objectives remain unclear, though former President Trump has suggested goals ranging from regime change to dismantling Iran’s nuclear program—and even targeting its ballistic missile capabilities. The war has already triggered a well-known but deeply concerning consequence: the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow yet strategically critical waterway, controlled by Iran, is a vital artery for global oil shipments. Fears of missile strikes and drone attacks have made navigating it extremely hazardous, halting maritime traffic indefinitely. In this post, I want to focus on the Strait of Hormuz. Let's look at why it matters, how its closure reverberates across the global oil market, and what it could mean for the future trajectory of the conflict. WHAT AND WHERE IS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but critical waterway in the ...
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EDITOR’S CORNER: When Does Regime Change Cross Legal Lines?

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We were struck by another shocking development over the weekend when the United States launched a major military operation against Iran early Saturday morning. The strikes included extensive air and missile attacks across multiple targets in the country. In the initial assaults, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly killed along with a number of senior Iranian officials, including top military leaders such as the defense minister and commanders of the Revolutionary Guard. In this blog post, I want to briefly explore what this attack on Iran means, how it might escalate, and the legal questions surrounding it. This is not without precedent — even in Venezuela, there have been U.S.-led strikes against the Maduro regime that were carried out without consultation. Former President Trump did not seek approval from Congress, the United Nations, or allied nations in those actions. WHAT HAPPENED IN IRAN? First, let's discuss what happened in Iran over the weekend. T...
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