Balkans

December 12, 2024 | Bill Roggio |

Hayat Tahrir al Sham’s terror network in Syria

On December 8, 2024, rebel forces deposed the regime of Syria’s longtime dictator, Bashar al Assad, after the insurgents stormed through much of the country, retaking various regional capitals and culminating...

June 13, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

The real danger of Iran linking Hezbollah to Gaza

The era where Israel could fight in Gaza, in the West Bank, or just in Lebanon appears to be over.

May 17, 2024 | Ben Cohen |

UNRWA meets the Spanish Inquisition

They may be separated by seven centuries, but a commonality is clearly apparent when it comes to the Jewish people.

April 4, 2024 | Ivana Stradner, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery

The West cannot let Putin open a second front in Europe

The Balkans, oft-neglected, are a ripe prospect for Russia’s aspirations, and are becoming increasingly febrile and dangerous

March 27, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Are leaders of Hamas taking a ‘victory’ tour in Iran?

Hamas believes that patience and perseverance will lead to victory in Gaza, and the Hamas leadership thinks it has growing international support while it has suffered no international consequences.

March 5, 2024 | Sinan Ciddi |

Turkey’s Erdoğan Silences Critics with “FETO” Terrorist Label

For 10 years, the Gulen movement has been synonymous with terrorism

February 29, 2024 | Ivana Stradner, Jason Jay Smart

Putin proving his ambitions don’t stop at Ukraine

The day before Vladimir Putin’s long yearly address to parliament Thursday, politicians from Transnistria, a pro-Kremlin breakaway region of Moldova, asked the Russian president to “protect”...

November 7, 2023 | David R. Shedd, Ivana Stradner

Russia’s Second Front in Europe

The West Must Stop Putin From Provoking Conflict in the Balkans

September 30, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

Putin is opening up a new front against the West

The Balkans are set to explode unless urgent action is taken by NATO to quell Russian and Serbian aggression in Kosovo

September 22, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

Russia’s Influence in the Balkans

As the war in Ukraine continues, Russia, with the help of its ally Serbia, is provoking chaos in the Balkans to distract the West. The Kremlin’s goal is to exacerbate the existing perilous ethnic tensions...

September 22, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

Russia failed to weaken NATO — but its own security alliance is now falling apart

Vladimir Putin has been candid about his intentions to dismantle NATO and discredit Article 5 of the alliance’s founding treaty, in which members pledge to defend each other from...

August 26, 2023 | Ivana Stradner, Jason Jay Smart

Athens Declaration Unites Southern Europe Behind Ukraine

President Zelensky's trip to Athens this week proved to be pivotal in advancing Ukraine's longtime objectives of moving towards EU membership.

August 23, 2023 | Ivana Stradner, Jason Jay Smart

Is Russia Now Weaponizing Music?

Russia has resorted to a wide range of tactics to keep nations within its orbit. Now it’s taken to using music to win over foreign public support.

August 22, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

Zelensky Calls Meeting with Serbian President ‘Fruitful’

Tensions between Ukraine and Serbia have been high, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic saying on Aug. 10 that 'If Ukraine recognizes Kosovo’s independence, it will lose everything in one day.'

July 25, 2023 | Ivana Stradner, Elaine K. Dezenski

The Russia-Serbia Nexus – EU Has to Step Up and Do its Part

“The West must do a better job of imposing costs on destructive Balkan actors. But to do so effectively, the West must act as one.”

June 26, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

Time to Stop Disruptive Russian-Serbian Machinations in the Balkans

While most of the West focuses on the war in Ukraine, Moscow and Belgrade are fueling the fires over Kosovo on eve of sensitive historic anniversary.

June 14, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

Why is Biden appeasing a Putin pawn as NATO forces are attacked?

As Russian President Vladimir Putin performs poorly in Ukraine, he will employ every possible tactic to distract the West. This time, Russia, with Serbia’s help, is provoking chaos in Europe’s...

June 4, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

How Putin is Using Chaos in the Balkans to Distract the West

‘Russia sees the region as Europe’s soft underbelly and Moscow has used information operations to inflame ethnic tensions, encourage protests and make arms deals.’

March 22, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

The ‘Yugoslavia Scenario’: How Russia Intends to Use an Anniversary in Its Ongoing Information War

The Kremlin has used NATO’s 1999 intervention to justify Russia’s continual assaults on Ukraine, and won’t miss the upcoming opportunity to exploit this further.

March 7, 2023 | Sinan Ciddi |

Turkey’s Crimes Against Humanity Under ICC Spotlight

Turkey is facing difficult times, really difficult times. The numerous earthquakes which struck ten provinces in the southeastern part of the country killed tens of thousands, made 1.25 million homeless...