Defense
Russia’s Inapt Dream to “Demilitarize” Ukraine
"The Kremlin’s loudly announced disarmament of Ukraine has, like most of its other aims in Eastern Europe, little chance of ever materializing."
Europe
Arts & Culture
Is European Football Becoming American Soccer?
"If fans remain united and determined to preserve the centuries-old tradition of European football, the beautiful game will likely remain the world’s most popular and beloved sport."
Europe
Cyprus and Israel: Lessons From the Pursuit of Lasting Peace in the Eastern Mediterranean
"Both conflicts are politically driven and feature strong convictions by all parties, but violence and armed confrontations are extremely rare in Cyprus, while being a constant in Israel."
Europe
Switzerland in Space: Interview with Dr. Renato Krpoun
"Space, with everything it has helped us to learn so far and everything we continue to discover, gives us a unique vantage point: it can certainly contribute to help us address the most pressing challenges humanity is facing."
Europe
Democratic Backsliding? France and Russia in the Sahel
"The democratic backsliding in the Sahel can be credited in part to the lack of decisive and unified efforts by western democratic powers."
Arts & Culture
From Defending Islands to Defending the Soccer Pitch: History of the 1986 England-Argentina World Cup
"This controversial 1986 victory remains a significant source of pride for the country and for Latin America at large–a testament to the lasting scars of imperial intervention in Argentina and the region beyond it."
Europe
Echoes of a Turbulent Past: Turbo Folk War Music in Serbia
"More than anything else, [turbo folk war] music and its popularity represents the continued instability in the Balkans and the long road to permanent peace."
Arts & Culture
For Russia, International Sports Make a Rule Change
"Although [international sports] organizations—and the events they organize—have previously been the venue for political expression by competitors, the governing bodies themselves are now becoming politically active."
Defense
Dilemme Diplomatique: Examining Diplomatic Revocation as Foreign Policy Tool and Its Implications on US-French Relations
"It remains to be seen how and if diplomatic recall will be used in the future, but the United States and Australia will certainly keep France’s recall in national memory for years to come."
Middle East & Africa
True Sovereignty? The CFA Franc and French Influence in West and Central Africa
"A monetary system that holds a former colonial power as the guarantor, regardless of announcements or agreements, will always ultimately fail to eradicate neocolonialism."
Europe
Aging Alone: Elder Care Infrastructure in the EU
"Though people over the age of 55 account for more than one-third of the European Union’s population, there remains insufficient social infrastructure to address the growing demands of the elderly."
Employment & Immigration
Litigating for Roma Rights: Interview with Dr. Margareta Matache
"In the case of Roma, racism has been continuous and has targeted Roma for more than 700 years."