Despite Russia’s hybrid attacks, Moldova narrowly voted in favor of joining the EU. Brussels must now supercharge its support for the resilience and accession efforts of Moldova and other membership-hopefuls in the neighborhood.
Türkiye is an important transatlantic actor in Sino-Western competition. It can add value to Western efforts aimed at synchronizing policies toward a rising China. And yet, at present, Ankara’s policies on China are not harmonized with those of its partners in the West.
As Moldovans prepare to go to the polls on Oct. 20, it looks like another round of the familiar geopolitical standoff between Russia and the West over the countries in Moscow’s former empire and sphere of influence.
A conversation about Erdoğan’s Balkan tour and Turkey’s broader agenda in the region.
Amid escalating international crises, Europe appears ill-equipped to offer effective diplomatic solutions. To regain influence as a global player, the EU should adopt an interagency mechanism involving its institutions and member states to develop policy options on foreign issues of strategic importance.
As the transatlantic allies adapt to Europe’s new geopolitical realities, maintaining unity against Russia will be critical. Türkiye will have a pivotal role to play in this long-term effort.
Nearly every Western country has seen at least some democratic decline over the past years, and much of it is related to the steady mainstreaming of extremism. However, seeing the ghosts of the past rise to prominence in places like Germany and Austria is of particular concern.
