How the West lost the plot on Serbia – POLITICO

How the West lost the plot on Serbia – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Dragan Đilas is the president of the Party of Freedom and Justice and a member of the Serbia Against Violence coalition. He served as the mayor of Belgrade (2008–2013) and the president of the Democratic Party, Serbia’s main opposition party (2012–2014). When Serbia was … Read more

French far right calls out ‘cabal’ after new report on Russian interference – POLITICO

French far right calls out ‘cabal’ after new report on Russian interference – POLITICO

PARIS — France’s far-right National Rally says a new report on Russian interference in French democracy is part of a “cabal” against the movement, after a Washington Post investigation revealed Moscow’s efforts to promote “political discord” in France and undermine support for Ukraine through “political figures and social media accounts.” “Let’s be serious, this is … Read more

Russia launches New Year’s Eve strikes against Ukraine – POLITICO

Russia launches New Year’s Eve strikes against Ukraine – POLITICO

Russia fired off a fresh barrage of strikes at Ukraine on New Year’s Eve, launching nearly 100 Shahed loitering munitions against cities across the country. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said their air defense forces had shot down 87 of the Iranian-made drones. The latest holiday launch came on the heels … Read more

Democracy is in peril in the world’s bonanza year of elections – POLITICO

Democracy is in peril in the world’s bonanza year of elections – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Is 2024 the year when democracy hits a tipping point and slides toward autocracy? It may seem like an odd question to ask at a time when countries representing nearly half the world’s population, or an estimated 3.8 billion people, are sending their voters … Read more

The year of the unpleasant return is finally over! – POLITICO

The year of the unpleasant return is finally over! – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Welcome to a special POLITICO 28 edition of Declassified, a weekly humor column. So, as 2023 staggers to a close like a bloody-nosed drunk lurching down the street on the way to the all-night garage, there’s one main takeaway: Never rule out terrible people … Read more

Moscow warns Finland will ‘suffer,’ in latest round of saber rattling – POLITICO

Moscow warns Finland will ‘suffer,’ in latest round of saber rattling – POLITICO

Finland would be “the first to suffer” if war broke out between NATO and Russia, one of Moscow’s top diplomats said. “Since they are our neighbors, if, God forbid there is some escalation, they will be the first to suffer,” Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, told Russian state-owned news agency … Read more

Russia uses POWs as a political weapon against Kyiv – POLITICO

Russia uses POWs as a political weapon against Kyiv – POLITICO

KYIV — The last time Valentyna Tkachenko, a 35-year-old mother of two from Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, saw her husband Serhii was just before Russia invaded her country. Serhii, a National Guard soldier, was captured on February 24 of last year, the day Moscow launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine. His unit was guarding the … Read more

Serbian protesters ramp up claims of stolen election – POLITICO

Serbian protesters ramp up claims of stolen election – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. BELGRADE — Young people and students, switching between playing football and lively dancing at a street crossing at noon in Belgrade, might fool a bystander into thinking they are just out to have a good time. Only their placards, and occasional chants, reveal they … Read more

Serbia cracks down on protests amid ‘election fraud’ outcry – POLITICO

Serbia cracks down on protests amid ‘election fraud’ outcry – POLITICO

Dozens of people have been detained during mass protests in Serbia amid claims that elections earlier this month were rigged in favor of the ruling party. Thousands gathered outside a police station in the capital, Belgrade, on Monday evening demanding the release of at least 38 demonstrators believed to have been arrested. Authorities fired tear … Read more

Finland shuts Russia border again hours after reopening – POLITICO

Finland shuts Russia border again hours after reopening – POLITICO

Finland’s government decided on Thursday to once again close the country’s entire eastern border with Russia — from Friday night until January 14 — due to another influx of asylum seekers mere hours after it had reopened two crossing points. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen told a press conference that “entry started faster than expected when the … Read more