A Century of Unfinished Borders: The Struggle for Peace in the Fergana Valley

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Fergana Valley region – encompassing parts of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan – has been plagued by recurring violence rooted in decades of undefined borders. Minor disagreements frequently escalate into full-scale territorial and ethnic clashes, and the absence of regional cooperation has long stalled peace efforts in the Fergana Valley. Yet in March of 2025, the three states signed a historic treaty, offering new hope of easing tensions in the valley.

“Extraordinary Efforts”: What the EU’s 2025 Enlargement Package Report Means for Ukraine

The Enlargement Package Report represents both recognition and restraint from the EU in terms of Ukraine. It acknowledges Ukraine’s extraordinary progress under extreme duress, but warns that membership will still require years of sustained reform from the country. Ukraine’s government continues to insist that reforms are advancing as quickly as wartime conditions allow. As Brussels debates the mechanics of accession, the larger question may not be if Ukraine joins the EU, but how and when Europe can adapt itself to welcome a member forged through war and resilience.

Russia & FSUSonia ChornodolskyDecember 11, 2025EU, Ukraine, Intergovernmental Organizations, Sovereignty, Democracy

The Environmental Vulnerability of Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal illustrates how environmental vulnerability becomes intertwined with political and institutional constraints. Despite its global significance, the Lake’s protection remains hindered by fragmented authority, shifting development priorities, and uneven enforcement—revealing broader tensions within Russia’s approach to environmental governance and long-term ecological stewardship.

Russia & FSUAnastasia BozhenovaDecember 11, 2025Baikal, Russia, Environment, Pollution, Policy, Government, Tourism, Conservation

The Armenian-Azerbaijani Border Dispute: Peace or Postponement

The proposed TRIPP stands as a potent symbol of what could be achieved: economic growth, regional connectivity, and lasting peace. But, without final signatures, it remains a vision rather than a reality. The unfinished nature of this agreement underscores that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot be declared through ceremony alone; it must be built through sustained trust, compromise, and accountability. Until then, the promise of peace remains just out of reach, suspended between hope and hesitation.

Russia & FSUSonia ChornodolskyDecember 11, 2025territorial conflict, ethnic division, peace agreements

The Power Beneath the Caspian: Baku’s Oil and Its Impact on Tsarist Russia

Before Pennsylvania or the Middle East, Baku was the world’s oil capital. Its 1846 well sparked an industry that fueled empires, transformed economies, and reshaped society. Yet prosperity brought pollution, inequality, and political unrest. From imperial reforms to revolutionary collapse, Baku’s story reveals how energy can build, and destabilize a nation.

The Weak Link: Why The Suwałki Gap Still Matters to European Security

The Suwałki Gap remains one of NATO’s most strategic vulnerabilities. This 65-km stretch of border between Poland and Lithuania is the only corridor separating Russia’s close ally, Belarus, from the Russian exclave Kaliningrad. Kaliningrad is vital to Russia’s naval and military projection in the Baltic Sea, and securing a land route would be invaluable for Moscow’s strategic ambitions. As tensions with Russia persist, many defense experts warn that if Putin were to strike a NATO member, the conflict would likely begin in the Suwałki Gap.

All Eggs in One Pipeline: Turkmenistan’s Dangerous Reliance on China

Withering relations, market vulnerability, and growing external pressure have forced Turkmenistan to choose between continued isolation and long-term economic decline or opening up to the world. Turkmenistan has historically maintained itself isolated through authoritarian control, self-sufficiency, and abundant natural gas to fund its endeavors. However, its eroding alliance with China and previous economic crisis have propelled Turkmenistan to diversify its trading partners and sources of income.

The Roots of Obedience: How Serfdom Shaped Russian Authoritarianism

For centuries, Russians lived under rulers who demanded obedience, from the Mongol Yoke to the iron grip of serfdom and the Church’s calls for humility. These forces taught generations that survival meant submission. Even now, traces of that legacy endure, shaping a culture where authority is feared, accepted, and rarely challenged.

Crushing Dissent: Belarus’ Campaign Against Human Rights Lawyers

By criminalizing lawyers committed to defending the right to a fair trial and exposing human rights abuses, the Government of Belarus undermines essential international standards and further drives Belarus away from democracy. These measures reveal a regime intent on eradicating independent voices and tightening authoritarian control, while simultaneously signaling to the international community the urgent need for continued attention and accountability.

Russia & FSUSonia ChornodolskyOctober 8, 2025Human Rights, International Law, Political Dissent

Russia’s Digital Battlefield: A New Front in Information Warfare

Russia has weaponized artificial intelligence to spread disinformation, infiltrating chatbots and trusted sources. Transforming its traditional propaganda tactics and capitalizing on gaps in U.S. cyber oversight, Russia has distorted public perception, spreading false narratives about Ukraine and the West.

Cyber Warfare in Russo-Ukrainian War

At 3:02 on the morning of February 24, 2022, Russia launched a cyberattack on the American satellite company Viasat. Just one hour later, Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This attack signaled the initiation of Russia’s hybrid war strategy, using cyber capabilities in tandem with military forces against Ukraine. The use of cyber warfare in the Russo-Ukrainian War challenges the standards of traditional warfare and sets a new precedent for future conflicts.

Linguistic Sovereignty and the Remnants of Empire: Russian Language in Post-Soviet States

The Soviet Union has historically employed linguistic imperialism to dominate its diverse linguistic and ethnic populations. In a post-Soviet era, remnants of Russian linguistic strategy continue to shape regional geopolitics as many former satellite states reject its political implications.

Analysis of Russia’s Wagner Group and its Promotion of Russia’s Geopolitical Interests

The Russian-sponsored Wagner Group serves as a geopolitical tool to expand Russian influence and strengthen ties with Russian allies. It sets a new standard for the expansion of geopolitical influence beyond traditional diplomacy and military aid.

Miracle on Ice: How the 1980 Olympic U.S.-Soviet Hockey Game Became a Microcosm of the Cold War

Skyrocketing gas prices, the perceived encroaching threat of communism, the Iranian hostage crisis, and the Vietnam War had dealt serious blows to the country’s morale. Then twenty young Americans overcame all odds to beat the Soviets, the best team in the world, before going on to win gold in the Olympics… As Eruzione puts it, ‘For some people, it was a hockey game. But for a lot more people, it was far greater than a hockey game.’

Melting Permafrost in Siberia is Threatening Russia’s Energy Industry

Russia’s reliance on Arctic resources is increasingly threatened by the rapid thawing of the permafrost, causing infrastructure collapse, the release of greenhouse gases, and increasing global temperatures. As climate change accelerates, Russia is facing mounting economic and geopolitical strain, compounded by shifting global markets and Western sanctions. With other Arctic nations expanding their presence in the region and Russia’s diminishing influence, the Kremlin must decide whether to adapt to the crisis or risk further economic and geopolitical decline.

Russia & FSUBy Cassandra BrownMarch 29, 2025russia, Climate Change, permafrost, siberia, energy, energy crisis

Transnistrian Energy Crisis Implications on Moldovan bid to join European Union

On January 1, 2025, Russia cut off natural gas supply to Transnistria, a breakaway region of the Republic of Moldova. Russia hopes to strengthen its control in the region and inhibit Moldova from joining the European Union. The Russian decision to eliminate its supply of natural gas to Transnistria will influence the upcoming parliamentary elections, where Moldova and Transnistria will decide whether to retain the current pro-EU parliament.

The Weaponization of Sexual Violence in the Russian-Ukraine War and its Implications

Russian soldiers weaponize sexual violence to demoralize and inflict harm on the Ukrainian people during the Russo-Ukraine war.

Russia & FSUBy Grace HalepisMarch 29, 2025russia, ukraine, usa, War, war crimes, ICC

The Worldwide Impact of North Korean Troops in Ukraine and the BRICS Summit

Putin attempted to shift global power dynamics after hosting a summit with the intergovernmental organization of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) and receiving aid for the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war from North Korea.

Russia & FSUBy Ella FroemelovaNovember 22, 2024BRICS, Russia-Ukraine, Putin, North Korea, Russia-Ukraine conflict

Why a Parliamentary Deadlock in Sofia will only benefit Moscow

In August, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced that another election would be conducted on October 27 after a majority failed to be produced in June. This stagnant state of affairs in Bulgaria’s parliament not only creates political fatigue for Bulgarians nationwide but enables a much desired neutrality for Russia in its war in Ukraine.

Russia & FSUBy Joshua MarshNovember 4, 2024Bulgaria, Europe, EU, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, Elections

A Decision of Dreams: Drama Unfolds in Tbilisi Following National Elections

This year’s election to determine the upcoming structure of Georgia’s 150-seat parliament was, to many, a turning point in its path towards integration with the European Union (EU) or further alignment with its northern neighbor—Russia.

Russia & FSUBy Joshua MarshNovember 1, 2024Georgian Dream Party, Georgian parliament, georgia, Elections, russia