The White House says violent extremism and Russian aggression in Ukraine are two of the greatest challenges to U.S. national security. And one place those threats converge is the Balkan region, where political instability, outstanding ethnic tensions and economic fragility…
This week (March 16–21), the Russian military began massive, “sudden” military exercises (“vnezapnaya proverka”). The authorities initially announced that the “sudden exercises” are intended to check out the battle readiness of Russia’s Northern Fleet and the possibility of reinforcing it…
EUObserver: A top EU official wants internet and telecommunication companies to hand over encryption keys to police and spy agencies as part of a wider crackdown on terrorism.
A number of officials and ministers are calling for expanded surveillance and security powers in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris.
Russia has said it will stop EU gas transit via Ukraine and do it via Turkey instead in the second shock announcement on energy in as many months.
BRUSSELS EUObserver- EU diplomats predict Turkey will use Russia’s South Stream decision as leverage in accession talks, as the European Commission handles the financial implications for member states. The deliberations come after Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday (1 December) in…
Jamestown.org: A recent report by the UN Security Council estimated that 15,000 people from over 80 countries have so far travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside the Islamic State organization and other extremist groups, “including… [from] countries that…
Economic/Political Risk Assessments for Select European Countries. Turkey, Spain, Germany, Greece, France
BRUSSELS (EUObserver)- Over 2,000 EU nationals are said to have left to fight in Syria raising concern some may pose a security threat upon their return to the EU. “We’ve more than 2,000 Europeans who have been to Syria, or…
STOCKHOLM – Sweden, the 1990s. “Sieg Heil!” and “Kick out the foreign scum!” The chants echo over a central Stockholm park.