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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

Politics

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

Greece

Slovenia

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

Economics

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

Assessments

United States

An external view of the building of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. 

Environment, Science & Technology

European Disintegration

As COVID-19 forces the EU to remain focused on recovering (and not enlarging) its economy, candidate countries such as Serbia risk veering away from the reforms they had been pursuing to earn their place in the bloc.

What the Fading Promise of EU Accession Means for the Balkans

COVID-19

EU: Regional Blocs

The New Silk Road

Divided EU Foreign Policies

2020 Second-Quarter Forecast

Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.

<p>To the west of Eurasia lays Europe, a region predisposed to division. It is surrounded on nearly all sides by islands and peninsulas that make it difficult for Europe to cohere. The northern half of the continent, moreover, sits on a plain whose short, meandering rivers tend to empower countries without forcing them to work with others. The southern half is situated on more mountainous terrain that has historically impeded the creation of strong, unified economies. As a result, Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.</p>

2020 Annual Forecast

2019 Fourth-Quarter Forecast

Snapshots

Cyprus

After more than four years of left-wing leadership, Greece's government is now under the control of a conservative party. But the lingering effects of the long Greek economic crisis will dampen the incoming administration's pro-business ambitions.

Greece: A Tough Road Awaits Athens' New Conservative Government

The Fate of the Eurozone

2019 Third-Quarter Forecast

2019 Second-Quarter Forecast

2019 Annual Forecast

While the ballot item won 91 percent of the vote, turnout fell short of the 50 percent needed for the referendum to be valid, jeopardizing the deal with Greece. 

Macedonia: Low Turnout Tanks Name-Change Referendum

2018 Fourth-Quarter Forecast

Bulgaria

A summit of EU and Balkan leaders failed to reach a consensus over North Macedonia and Albania's EU membership bids after a June 22 no-confidence vote ousted Bulgaria's Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, AP reported June 23.

Bulgaria: Government Loses No-Confidence Vote, Stalling EU Enlargement to Western Balkans

Bulgaria blocked EU accession talks with North Macedonia due to the two countries’ disputes over culture and history, arguing that Brussels cannot start such talks if the candidate country has unresolved issues with a member of the bloc, Balkan Insight reported Nov. 17. 

Europe: Bulgaria Blocks EU Accession Talks With North Macedonia

North Macedonian ruling coalition candidate Stevo Pendarovski has won the second round of the country's presidential election after receiving 51.7 percent of the vote, Deutsche Welle reported May 5. 

North Macedonia: Pro-Western Candidate Wins Presidential Election

Echoes of the Cold War

Representatives from all 29 NATO member countries have signed Macedonia's accession protocol to the alliance, Balkan Insight reported Feb. 6.

Macedonia: NATO Member States Sign Accession Protocol

The Greek parliament has voted to approve a controversial name agreement with Macedonia by a final vote tally of 153 to 146, Ekathimerini reported Jan. 25.

Greece: Parliament Approves Name Agreement with Macedonia

The Greek Parliament has started a debate on a name agreement with Macedonia ahead of an expected vote on the matter on Jan. 24, Ekathimerini reported Jan. 21.

Greece: Parliament Begins Discussions on Macedonia Name Agreement

Greece's government survived a no-confidence vote in the country's parliament on Jan. 16, winning by a narrow margin of 151 to 148 votes, Ekathimerini reported.

Greece: Government Survives No-Confidence Motion in Parliament

Panos Kammenos, leader of the Independent Greeks party, announced his resignation as defense minister on Jan. 13 over his opposition to an agreement on Macedonia's name, Ekathimerini reported Jan. 14. After Kammenos' resignation, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said parliament would hold a confidence vote on his government on Jan. 16. 

Greece: Defense Minister Resigns Over Macedonia Name Agreement, Tsipras Announces Confidence Vote

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A view of the Register in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

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Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources.

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The President palace in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The administrative center of the Gakh region of Azerbaijan, located at the foot of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, on the river Kurhumchai.

Brazil

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Mir Castle in the Minsk region of Belarus.

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A horse grazes in front of Kara-Kul lake in the Chon-Ak-Suu valley, 300 kilometers southeast of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

SITUATION REPORTS

Bulgaria: Government Loses No-Confidence Vote, Stalling EU Enlargement to Western Balkans

Europe: Bulgaria Blocks EU Accession Talks With North Macedonia

North Macedonia: Pro-Western Candidate Wins Presidential Election

Macedonia: NATO Member States Sign Accession Protocol

Greece: Parliament Approves Name Agreement with Macedonia

Greece: Parliament Begins Discussions on Macedonia Name Agreement

Greece: Government Survives No-Confidence Motion in Parliament

Greece: Defense Minister Resigns Over Macedonia Name Agreement, Tsipras Announces Confidence Vote

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