Central Asia - Can this region surrounded by powerful neighbours, such as🇷🇺Russia and🇨🇳China, integrate to become a new powerhouse? 🇰🇿🇰🇬🇹🇯🇹🇲🇺🇿 What does the future hold for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan?⤵️ youtu.be/MgoKdT_f5Fw

➡️A reserve tandem: German–Italian intergovernmental consultations ➡️Cooperation with Italy 🇮🇹 has resulted in Meloni supporting the EU–Mercosur free trade agreement, which is of key importance to Germany 🇩🇪 By OSW's Lidia Gibadło & Łukasz Maślanka⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵 The Great Russian Firewall: The Kremlin’s ultimate crackdown on internet freedom 🔵 Our analysts Maria Domańska & Katarzyna Chawryło provide a deep-dive on Russia’s 🇷🇺 internet ecosystem. 🔵 The full report⤵️ osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Seven lean years? Romania’s struggle with record high debt 🔵Despite the public finance crisis that has been intensifying for several years, the 🇷🇴 authorities only decided to undertake concrete corrective measures in the second half of 2025 More from Kamil Całus⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

The Fico–Trump meeting: Slovakia 🇸🇰 turns to US 🇺🇸 nuclear technologies Despite having relied on radically anti-American rhetoric while in opposition, Fico’s party has, once in power, consistently deepened its ties with Washington. By Krzysztof Dębiec ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵Ukraine 🇺🇦: deepening crisis of the parliamentary majority 🔵Many SP members have become frustrated with the president’s inner circle for disregarding their input and imposing top-down decisions. More insight by OSW's Marcin Jędrysiak ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Bulgaria 🇧🇬: President Radev resigns 🔵Radev’s resignation is likely driven by his intention to establish his own party and contest the upcoming snap parliamentary elections, expected to take place in late March or early April. 🔵By Jan Nowinowski ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵US-Denmark-Greenland: current state of play and future scenarios ➡️The issue of Greenland’s future is very likely to remain on the president’s agenda, sustaining a sense of uncertainty in Europe. OSW's Piotr Szymański has the latest details and insight ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵Europe compensates for losses in German exports 🔵The decline in German 🇩🇪 exports to China 🇨🇳 results from a permanent shift in competitive conditions and is unlikely to be reversed in the long term. ➡️More insight by OSW's Aleksandra Kozaczyńska ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Iran 🇮🇷 on the brink of revolution and war As the economic environment continues to deteriorate, public frustration is mounting, fuelling demands for a radical liberalisation of the system – in effect, its dismantling. Details by Krzysztof Strachota⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵Consequences of the Berlin 🇩🇪 blackout ➡️The method of attack and the choice of location indicate a high level of professionalism on the part of the saboteurs. 🔵More insight by OSW's Kamil Frymark ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵The Kremlin’s powerlessness: Russia’s response to the US operation in Venezuela 🔵The forcible removal of Maduro by the 🇺🇸 represents a reputational blow to 🇷🇺, as it has exposed its limited capacity to protect its partners. By Miłosz Bartosiewicz ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Severing the head of the Hydra - How to fight🇷🇺Russian disinformation 🟦The West should highlight Russia's real problems and social tensions, economic hardships, as well as the abuses and weaknesses of the regime. A long read by Katarzyna Chawryło ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Ukraine:🇺🇦a New Year’s reset of the state security management system 🔵Budanov’s appointment marks the end of the transitional period at the Presidential Office that began in November with the dismissal of Andriy Yermak. Piotr Żochowski has much more⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Russia🇷🇺slowing down frontline assault in Ukraine🇺🇦 🔵Donbas front still active, Ukraine counterattacks #russiaukrainewar 🎞️

🔵 Germany’s 🇩🇪 military service reform: voluntarism at its core 🔵The final text of the law represents the lowest common denominator acceptable to all parties in the ruling coalition. 🔵By Lidia Gibadło & Jacek Jarociński⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵EDIP: more cooperation in the European defence industry 🔵 The mechanisms introduced under EDIP are intended to create financial incentives for European defence companies to engage in joint efforts to expand production capacity. 🔵By Łukasz Maślanka ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Closing ranks: Russia-China energy cooperation amid escalating confrontation with the West 🔵In 2024 Russia🇷🇺sold gas to China🇨🇳via the Power of Siberia 1 pipeline over ⅓ cheaper than what European buyers were paying. By Filip Rudnik & Maciej Kalwasiński⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Russia restricts Internet access in occupied Crimea and inside Russia #RussiaUkraineWar

Babiš’s new government:🇨🇿Czechia first ❝The anticipated passivity in security policy is reflected in the 38-page draft government agenda, which makes no mention of🇷🇺Russia at all and refers to Ukraine🇺🇦only once.❞ More from Krzysztof Dębiec ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

A bitter compromise over the🇪🇺EU’s financial assistance to🇺🇦Ukraine 🟥The Kremlin interpreted the EU’s decision to postpone using frozen Russian assets as a sign of weakness. Łukasz Maślanka, Sławomir Matuszak & Iwona Wiśniewska have the details⤵️ osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🇺🇸US defence budget for 2026: Congress approves continued support for Ukraine and a military presence in Europe 🔵The allocation of $400 mn for🇺🇦Ukraine under the USAI does not guarantee these funds will be used. More from Andrzej Kohut & Jacek Tarocinski ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🎄OSW wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.🎇

Kupiansk finally captured? Ukraine's🇺🇦counterattacks leave Russia🇷🇺in north of city #RussiaUkraineWar

Central Asia - A Great Game 🔵Click the link to watch OSW experts discuss the strategic importance of🇰🇿Kazakhstan,🇰🇬Kyrgyzstan,🇹🇯Tajikistan,🇹🇲Turkmenistan and🇺🇿Uzbekistan's region and how🇷🇺Russia,🇨🇳China, the USA🇺🇸and the EU🇪🇺are interacting with them.📽️ youtu.be/1XtnZL5S_VY

🔘 Eased sanctions for the release of 123 prisoners as US–Belarus relations continue to thaw ➡️ By releasing nearly all opposition leaders, the regime aims to escalate tensions within the political exile community. ➡️By Kamil Kłysiński and Andrzej Kohut ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵Ukraine: an unrealistic budget for 2026 🔵The civilian part of 🇺🇦 budget for next year is entirely dependent on foreign support. Unlike the 2025 budget there is no certainty regarding the sources of financing for the full range of needs. 🔵By OSW's Sławomir Matuszak ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🇩🇪Merz in Israel.🔵🇮🇱 (Un)conditional support? Merz is seeking to strengthen Germany’s position as a mediator in the Middle East conflict, although its actual capacity for action remains limited. 🔵 OSW's Lidia Gibadło & Anna Kwiatkowska have more ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🇧🇬Bulgaria: government falls under pressure from public protests 🔵The situation will most likely be resolved with a snap parliamentary election. The main opposition parties have ruled out participating in a cabinet reshuffle. 🔵More from Jan Nowinowski ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵 Russia 🇷🇺 added to the EU’s 🇪🇺 ‘blacklist’ of money-laundering jurisdictions 🔵 Until now, financial restrictions imposed on Russia have targeted only selected entities named in individual sanctions packages. 🔵 More insight by Iwona Wiśniewska ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Dispute over peace:🇺🇦Ukraine between🇺🇸US pressure and🇷🇺Russian demands 🔵Zelensky’s position demonstrates Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions on the Donbas, but only under strict conditions. More from @wojciechkononczuk.bsky.social K. Nieczypor and W. Rodkiewicz ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Belarusian balloons prompt emergency situation in Lithuania Air traffic at the airports in Vilnius and Kaunas is regularly disrupted – this year alone, 613 balloon incursions into Lithuanian airspace have been recorded. By Joanna Hyndle-Hussein & Kamil Kłysiński ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🇩🇪Germany: the 2026 budget and rising debt 🔵The rise in defence spending is prompting automotive and machinery suppliers to shift part of their operations into the defence sector. OSW's Aleksandra Kozaczyńska has more ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🎞️Our latest video looks at Russian 🇷🇺 concentration camps for Ukrainian 🇺🇦 civilian prisoners - a phenomenon that has been documented by Yevgenia Chirikova, who explains how this system of terror operates and what are its consequences ⤵️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuj9...

🔵 A blow to Russia’s influence in Central Europe?🇺🇸US sanctions target Russia’s oil sector 🇭🇺Hungary&Slovakia🇸🇰remain the only🇪🇺EU member states that continue to import🇷🇺Russian oil overland, owing to exemptions from the EU sanctions in force since 2023 ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

The new US National Security Strategy: a manifesto for a sovereign America in a multipolar world In many respects, the NSS of the second Trump administration marks a turning point in how 🇺🇸 defines its role in the world. More by @jgotkowska.bsky.social & Andrzej Kohut www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad captured? Ukrainians withdraw from Lysivka, Sukhyi Yar Latest update from Russia's war in Ukraine🎬

Bosnia and Herzegovina in limbo: 30 years since the Dayton Agreement 🇧🇦The Dodik-fuelled separatist tendencies reached a climax in 2025, when he lost a court case over his refusal to comply with the decisions of the High Representative. By Paulina Wankiewicz www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan: consolidating the presidential system 🇰🇬No major violations were reported during the elections, but they cannot be regarded as free. More from Daria Zielińska ⤵️ osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

➡️ Turkey’s policy towards Libya: a year of major shifts 🔵 In 2025, 🇹🇷 reoriented its policy towards 🇱🇾, drawing both politically and militarily closer to its former rival, Khalifa Haftar – the leader of the Libyan National Army ➡️By Adam Michalski ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

➡️ Lessons from the war between Russia🇷🇺 and Ukraine🇺🇦 is the topic of our latest video. 🔵 We ask our OSW experts and a special guest LtGen Dymanowski about the key military insights from this conflict that Poland and NATO can build on for the future ⤵️ youtu.be/dufHcpHiG-Y

Looking inward: regional cooperation in Central Asia 🇰🇿🇰🇬🇹🇯🇹🇲🇺🇿Until 2017, cooperation in Central Asia without the involvement of external actors occurred only rarely and in isolated instances. OSW's Daria Zielińska has more insight ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

Hell has frozen over: Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak resigns 🇺🇦The head of the Office of the President had become too great a liability for Zelensky, directly affecting his reputation. More from Marcin Jędrysiak ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🇩🇪Germany is cutting benefits for refugees from Ukraine🇺🇦 🔵The German government aims to increase employment among Ukrainians, and the reduction in social assistance is intended to accelerate this process. Analysis by Kamil Frymark ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵OSW’s Tadeusz Iwański comments on the resignation of Andriy Yermak. ➡️“For Zelensky, cutting loose a figure so close—and so essential to the daily running of the state—must have been an emotional and political ordeal.” www.polskieradio.pl/395/9766/Art...

🔵Snap presidential election in Republika Srpska: Dodik’s candidate wins ➡️Given the extensive clientelist networks and media dominance of the SNSD, it can be said that its candidate won by a very narrow margin. By @paulawankiewicz ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵Transnistrian gas crisis as Moscow’s political tool ➡️By financing gas supplies to Transnistria, Moscow 🇷🇺 seeks to keep the parastate – and therefore Moldova as a whole – in a state of permanent instability. 🔵The details by OSW's Kamil Całus ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵 Beijing🇨🇳 escalates diplomatic conflict with Tokyo🇯🇵 🔵 One of Beijing’s key objectives is to suppress public debate in democratic countries concerning the national security threats and challenges to the international order posed by China. 🔵 By OSW's Michał Bogusz ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵Rijeka Gateway Terminal – a new competitor in the race for Central European markets 🔵The Croatian 🇭🇷 government aims to transform Rijeka into a hub for handling cargo flows between Europe and Asia as well as serving CE markets. 🔵By Sandra Baniak ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...

🔵 US–Central Asia summit: raw materials and declarations 🔵 The shift in 🇺🇸 approach to the region stems above all from the growing need to diversify sources of critical raw materials, e.g. rare-earth elements, tungsten and uranium. 🔵 OSW's Daria Zielińska has more ⤵️ www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacj...