Politics & Diplomacy

Agricultural obstacles may complicate Ukraine’s path toward EU membership

By Aleksander Cwalina, Benton Coblentz

Ukraine continues to pursue EU integration even as the country defends itself against Russian invasion, but there are signs that some EU member states are not yet ready to integrate Ukraine's powerful agricultural sector.

The West must back Ukraine and Turkey to counter Russia’s attempts to control the Black Sea

By Yevgeniya Gaber

Russia’s efforts to gain control in the Black Sea need to be challenged. Here’s how Ukraine and Turkey can push back with the West’s help.

Russian Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill’s unholy war against Ukraine

By Borys Gudziak

Russia's Unholy War: Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill has provided the ideological justification for Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and Russian efforts to eliminate Ukrainian national identity.

State of the Order: Assessing July 2023

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

What Niger’s coup means for West Africa’s geopolitical contest

By Rama Yade

The ongoing coup in Niamey and others that have taken place in West Africa in recent years reflect significant geopolitical changes underway.

Gulf engagement in Tunisia: Past endeavor or future prospect? 

By Sebastian Sons

Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar regard Tunisia as an important foreign policy partner within their regional sphere of influence. They also welcome Tunisia’s current autocratization under President Kais Saïed. However, Gulf states no longer pursue strategic goals there. As the region is undergoing a geopolitical shift toward more conflict management and reconciliation, the Gulf states consider Tunisia as a partner of choice in regional stability but no longer as a partner of necessity in terms of economic investment or development cooperation.