A strategy for Moldova

The Republic of Moldova, a sliver of land bordering the European Union (EU) and NATO’s eastern edge, finds itself at a critical crossroads twenty-seven years after gaining independence from the Soviet Union. Eager to forge closer ties with Brussels and Washington, the government has made concerted efforts to bring the country closer in line with the West’s expectations and conditions required for a strong ally and partner. Genuine progress has been made over the past couple of years and the country has achieved financial and economic stability with the support of its development partners; it has reached over 4 percent economic growth, lowered inflation, fixed huge problems in the banking sector, and replaced Russia with the EU as its main trading partner.

Moldova and progress

Since its independence, Moldova has sat on the divide between East and West. To ensure its influence in Moldova, and like other nations in the region, has moved fitfully toward an open society and market economy.

TURKEYSource

May 5, 2023

To secure the Black Sea, the West must help Moldova stand up to Russian aggression

By Arnold C. Dupuy

Moldova is working on orienting itself more closely with the West, but it needs support to fend off Russian pressure and attempts to gain influence.

Eastern Europe Geopolitics & Energy Security

UkraineAlert

Apr 11, 2023

Ukraine resumes electricity exports in latest show of wartime resilience

By Aura Sabadus

Ukraine resumed energy exports to Europe in early April. The move confirmed the failure of Russia’s six-month energy infrastructure bombing campaign and underlined Ukraine’s remarkable wartime resilience, writes Aura Sabadus.

Conflict Energy Transitions
Ukrainian service members from a battalion, named of nom-de-guerre of their commander 'Da Vinci', Hero of Ukraine, who was killed in a fight against Russian troops, fire a howitzer M119 at a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the city of Bakhmut, Ukraine March 10, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak bakhmut

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2023

Russian War Report: Russian army advances toward Bakhmut, but its offensive capabilities remain unclear

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Russian army advances toward Bakhmut while a large-scale russian air attack targets civilian infrastructure.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Mar 9, 2023

Calls to appease Putin in Ukraine ignore the lessons of history

By Arman Mahmoudian

While the desire for peace in Ukraine is perfectly understandable, mounting calls to appease Putin by handing him a partial victory ignore the lessons of history and would almost certainly lead to more war.

Belarus Central Asia

New Atlanticist

Feb 24, 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab releases investigations on Russian info ops before and after the invasion

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

On the week of the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the DFRLab released two new reports on narratives tracked used to justify the war both pre- and post invasion.

Conflict Disinformation

However, at the same time, the country is backsliding in some key areas. Democracy appears to be on the decline; a legitimate election of mayor in the capital of Chisinau was recently voided; the judicial system remains controlled by powerful insiders; and independent media is almost nonexistent. This report will highlight some of the extensive progress made by Moldova’s government and citizens as well as provide suggestions on how to ensure that democracy is not lost, and the rule of law is developed during a critical period in the country’s political and economic development.

Related Experts: Anders Åslund and Timothy Fairbank