Geopolits - Eastern Europe And Russia Archives

Hungary, the United Nations, Gender Politics, and the Soft Power of Liberal Western Elites

March 23, 2025March 30, 2025

Hungary’s recent legislation is not an isolated act but part of a broader pushback against what Orbán calls “gender madness.” Since 2010, his government has enacted policies reinforcing traditional family values, including a 2020 constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and woman and restricting adoption to heterosexual couples. The 2021 Child Protection Act, which the new Pride ban builds upon, banned LGBTQ+ content in schools and media accessible to minors, drawing condemnation from the EU and UN alike.

A Tale of Trump, Zelensky, and the Theatre of the Absurd

March 2, 2025March 30, 2025

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there was a man who believed he could play the piano with his pe… well, let’s just say it wasn’t his hands. This man, a former comedian turned wartime leader, found himself in a room with a man who once famously said, “You’re fired!” and another who wrote a bestselling memoir about hillbillies. The setting was the Oval Office, the stakes were global peace, and the outcome was, as one Ukrainian news site put it, “a grandiose failure.” This, dear reader, is the story of how Vladimir Zelensky, Donald Trump, and J.D. Vance turned diplomacy into a spectacle worthy of a Netflix special.

Categories: America / Eastern Europe and Russia / Western Europe

Trump-Putin Phone Call and the Ukraine Puzzle

February 13, 2025March 31, 2025

In the short term, the Trump-Putin talks could lead to a ceasefire and the resumption of diplomatic efforts, such as the Minsk agreements, which have been stalled for years. However, a lasting peace will require addressing the root causes of the conflict, including Ukraine’s geopolitical orientation, the status of Crimea and the Donbas region, and the security concerns of both Russia and NATO. This is a Herculean task considering that there will be immense diplomatic pressure from the Europe on Trump Administration. However, it will test the diplomatic acumen of all parties involved in the war.

Categories: America / Eastern Europe and Russia / Western Europe

The Role of Think Tanks in Legitimizing CIA-Backed Regime Change Operations

February 7, 2025March 31, 2025

If history is any guide, these think tanks will continue to provide intellectual cover for future regime change operations. Perhaps tomorrow’s target will be Venezuela, where think tank reports have long painted Nicolás Maduro as an existential threat to regional stability. Or maybe it will be Iran again, where “experts” routinely warn about the dangers of its nuclear program, conveniently ignoring the long history of U.S. meddling in Iranian affairs. Wherever the next intervention occurs, one can be sure that a glossy think tank report will be there to justify it.

Trump’s Gaza Takeover and the Chaos That Will Follow

February 6, 2025March 31, 2025

And then there’s Israel, which might be celebrating now but could soon regret this whole thing. Sure, the Israeli government loves a plan that involves fewer Palestinians in Gaza, but at what cost? If Hamas gets stronger, Hezbollah gets bolder, and international condemnation reaches new heights, Israel could find itself more isolated than ever. Even its European allies, who have been fairly tolerant of Israeli policies, might start pulling away. Because, let’s face it, even the most pro-Israel European leaders will struggle to justify a U.S.-led eviction of Palestinians. At some point, the international community might have to draw the line, and when they do, Israel could find itself in a diplomatic mess of its own making.

Bangladesh’s Legal Sovereignty vs. ICC’s Western Strings

January 13, 2025March 31, 2025

The ICC’s geopolitical bias not only affects the credibility of its operations but also has diplomatic consequences. Countries with associations to ICC interventions face the risk of diplomatic fallout, affecting their global standing and relationships. For Bangladesh, submitting to ICC scrutiny can have far-reaching effects beyond the courtroom, potentially influencing its trade, aid, and diplomatic engagements.

The Influence of Religious Prophecies on Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Geopolitics

December 11, 2024April 1, 2025

In modern times, religious prophecies continue to influence geopolitics in profound ways. The belief in Christian Zionism, rooted in the idea that the return of Jews to Israel fulfils Biblical prophecy, has shaped U.S. foreign policy. Evangelical Christian groups view the establishment of Israel in 1948 as a necessary step toward the Second Coming of Christ, influencing American political support for Israel, especially under leaders such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Similarly, in Iran, Shia eschatology played a pivotal role in the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Ayatollah Khomeini framed the revolution as a step toward the eventual return of the Mahdi and the establishment of a divinely guided Islamic state. This vision continues to shape Iran’s foreign policies and regional alliances, from its support for Hezbollah to its involvement in the Syrian Civil War.

Perils of Weaponizing Tariffs in Global Trade

December 11, 2024April 1, 2025

Perhaps the most significant consequence of these tariffs is their potential to accelerate the decline of the rules-based global economic order. The WTO, already weakened by years of criticism and inaction, faces further marginalization as major economies resort to unilateral measures. This shift erodes the mechanisms that have historically provided stability and predictability in international trade, increasing the risk of disputes escalating into broader economic conflicts. In the absence of a strong multilateral framework, the global economy risks devolving into competing blocs, where power dynamics and economic leverage dictate outcomes.

How Ukraine’s Defence Industry Sold Itself Out

October 25, 2024April 1, 2025

The full impact of Ukraine’s defence collapse became clear during the Crimean annexation in 2014. With no nuclear deterrent and a military crippled by corruption, Ukraine was in no position to resist. The Battle of Ilovaisk in 2014 was particularly humiliating; many soldiers lacked even basic bulletproof vests, some resorting to buying their own protective gear. Much of Ukraine’s weaponry, like the T-64 tanks and MiG-29 jets, was non-operational, left to rust in storage. This national helplessness starkly exposed the failure to modernize and keep the once-imposing arsenal.

Categories: America / Eastern Europe and Russia / Middle East / Western Europe

Future of Multilateral Cooperation at the SCO Summit

October 20, 2024April 1, 2025

The timing of the summit is notable, occurring against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, and global struggles against climate change. Additionally, the rise of terrorism, a core focus of the SCO, continues to threaten peace across the region, including in Pakistan and other member states. As a multilateral organization, the SCO provides a platform to address these emerging challenges.

Founded in 2001, the SCO now comprises nine full member states, making it a unique multilateral group that spans nearly a quarter of the world’s landmass and includes 42.5% of its population. With permanent members such as China, Russia, Pakistan, India, and the Central Asian republics, along with strategic observers, the SCO has become a cornerstone of Eurasian diplomacy. Observer states like Mongolia and Afghanistan, alongside 14 dialogue partners including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, stand to benefit from the cooperative frameworks developed within the SCO.