Croatia

Economics

Politics

The incumbent, pro-EU, center-right Croatian Democratic Union party, or HDZ, won Croatia's parliamentary elections, securing 61 out of 151 seats in Parliament, Reuters reported on April 18.

Croatia: Incumbent Center-Right Party To Lead Government Formation After Electoral Victory

Luxembourg

Lithuania

Malta

Germany

Finland

Latvia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Greece

France

Estonia

Sweden

Belgium

Bulgaria

Portugal

Poland

Romania

Cyprus

Austria

Slovakia

Slovenia

Netherlands

Spain

Italy

Ireland

Hungary

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

The European Commission recommended reducing the European Union's net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990 levels, Reuters reported Feb. 6. 

EU: Brussels to Exclude Agriculture from 90% Emissions Reduction Target for 2040

Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

European Union member states unanimously agreed to a 50 billion euro ($54 billion) financial support package for Ukraine as part of their joint budget through 2027, for which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban lifted his veto on the initiative, Reuters reported Feb. 1.

EU, Ukraine: EU Leaders Unanimously Agree to New 50 Billion Euro Aid Package for Kyiv

Negotiators from EU member states and the European Parliament reached a preliminary agreement to overhaul the bloc's asylum and migration rules, Reuters reported on Dec. 20.

EU: Bloc's Institutions Reach Agreements on New Asylum and Migration Rules

The European Union is "unlikely" or "very unlikely" to meet most of its 2030 green objectives, according to the latest report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) published Dec. 18.

EU: Bloc to Miss Most of its 2030 Climate Goals

Georgia

The European Council voted to grant EU candidate status to Georgia, and both government officials and opposition politicians in Georgia praised the decision, Civil Georgia reported on Dec. 14. 

Georgia: European Commission Recommends Georgia for EU Candidate Status

Europe

The interior ministers of the European Union member states voted to include Croatia in the bloc's passport-free travel zone, the Schengen area, but Austria and the Netherlands blocked the accession of Romania and Bulgaria, Euronews reported Dec. 8.

EU: Bloc Includes Croatia in Schengen Area, Blocks Romania and Bulgaria

The Fate of the Eurozone

The European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) announced that Croatia meets the criteria for adopting the euro and so should enter the eurozone on Jan. 1, 2023, Euractiv reported June 1.

EU, Croatia: Zagreb Meets Criteria to Join Eurozone in 2023

Snapshots

United States

China

United Kingdom

Members of the European Parliament take part in voting on the Artificial Intelligence Act during a plenary session at the European Parliament.

Cyber

The EU's recently negotiated Artificial Intelligence Act will bolster the European Union's dominance as a regulatory heavyweight in emerging technologies, yet anticipated enforcement challenges and stringent stipulations with the Act risk impeding AI innovation within the bloc.

EU Lawmakers Clinch Agreement on Artificial Intelligence Act 

Columns

On Security

Turkey

North Macedonia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Serbia

Albania

Montenegro

Kosovo

Russia

Demonstrators in Belgrade, Serbia, hold up Serbian flags and a photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 24, 2022, during a rally in support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Military & Security

In the second part of this series, we explore China and Russia's interests in the Balkans and what their activities may mean for the region's long-term stability.

The Risk of Another Balkans War, Part 2: Russian and Chinese Influence

NATO soldiers patrol a roadblock set up by ethnic Serbs near Zubin Potok, a town in northern Kosovo, on Aug. 1, 2022. 

Social Issues

Despite ethnically-tinged tensions between Kosovo and Serbia that most recently made the news, there appear to be numerous restraints on a potential return to widespread regional conflict. 

The Risk of Another Balkans War, Part 1: Placing Recent Flashpoints in Context

A satellite image shows Europe at night.

Security

EU: Regional Blocs

The New Silk Road

Divided EU Foreign Policies

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The move shows the White House remains committed to its security and economic engagements in the region, with an eye on countering China and Russia. 

The U.S. Ramps Up Financial Support to Central and Eastern Europe

Assessments

Guidance

Nigeria

Hong Kong SAR, China

A photo shows the Egina FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) unit berthed at a harbor in Lagos, Nigeria. 

COVID-19

Energy

Turkey's Resurgence

Brexit

European Disintegration

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended Stratfor articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Hong Kong Protests and Progress on Nigeria’s Oil Reform Bill

Global Perspectives

Contributor Perspectives

Many of the underlying problems plaguing the Balkans are still unsolved. 

Tensions are bubbling to the surface in the Balkans once again, perhaps to the region's peril. But will global leaders take notice and step up in time?  

As Crisis Brews in the Balkans, the West Looks On

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Leaders from the Western Balkans and the European Union are assembling in Italy to continue talks aimed at forging closer relations. But for some Balkan states targeted in the latest round of courting, the promise of EU membership may hold less sway than the charms of actual Russian investment.

Europe: Nations Courted With Funds and Promises in Show of Soft Power

Supply Chains

China in Transition

Despite its goal to foster integration throughout Eurasia, Beijing has so far emphasized bilateral or subregional agreements with its Belt and Road projects in Europe, an approach that has raised the suspicions of the bloc's central powers.

For China, All Roads (and Belts) Lead to Europe

China's Belt and Road Initiative

Introducing Liberland, Europe's Newest Country

Self-proclaimed microstates raise questions about the meaning of statehood.

Austria is neither willing nor prepared to leave the European Union, even if a Euroskeptic wins the presidency.

The Limits to Austria's Euroskepticism

Reflections

Syria

Libya

Because EU policies have been difficult to agree on and enforce, individual countries are working to make themselves less attractive to migrants.

EU Members Take Unilateral Action on Migrant Flows

Media

Sub-Saharan Africa

South Sudan

Angola

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Cabo Verde

Central African Republic

Chad

Comoros

Cote d'Ivoire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Gabon

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea Bissau

Kenya

Lesotho

Liberia

Madagascar

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Niger

Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Sao Tome and Principe

Senegal

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Africa

Sudan

Eswatini

Tanzania

Togo

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Barbados

Belize

Bolivia

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Grenada

Guatemala

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Suriname

Bahamas

The pace of the transition will be decided by how quickly new technologies reach the developing world.

Paris Agreement Emphasizes Shift Away From Oil

SITUATION REPORTS

Croatia: Incumbent Center-Right Party To Lead Government Formation After Electoral Victory

EU: Brussels to Exclude Agriculture from 90% Emissions Reduction Target for 2040

EU, Ukraine: EU Leaders Unanimously Agree to New 50 Billion Euro Aid Package for Kyiv

EU: Bloc's Institutions Reach Agreements on New Asylum and Migration Rules

EU: Bloc to Miss Most of its 2030 Climate Goals

Georgia: European Commission Recommends Georgia for EU Candidate Status

EU: Bloc Includes Croatia in Schengen Area, Blocks Romania and Bulgaria

EU, Croatia: Zagreb Meets Criteria to Join Eurozone in 2023

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support