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Europe

Sweden

Romania

Austria

The Romanian and EU flags are seen at the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in February 2017.

Economics

Politics

Pushback from other EU members is impeding Bucharest's bid to join the passport-free zone, which would have both economic and political consequences for the country.

The Risks of Romania's Protracted Accession to the EU's Schengen Area

Assessments

Russia

Moldova

Power lines are seen on the outskirts of Balti, the second-largest city in Moldova, on Nov. 2, 2022. 

Energy

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Russia’s gas cut-offs are making Moldova increasingly vulnerable, with widespread blackouts, rampant inflation and growing pro-Russian anti-government protests. 

Will Moldova Be the First To Fall in Russia’s Energy War on Europe?

Ukraine

Refugees from Ukraine walk at the Ukrainian-Romanian border in Siret on March 2, 2022. Though the war is creating significant social and security challenges for Romania that EU assistance will only partially mitigate, it is also leading to temporary political stability.

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Though the war is creating significant social and security challenges for Romania that EU assistance will only partially mitigate, it is also leading to temporary political stability.

Romania's Security and Social Challenges, and Political Benefits, From the Ukraine War

The Ukraine Conflict

People take part in a protest against COVID-19 vaccines and lockdown measures in Bucharest, Romania, on Oct. 2, 2021.  

Environment, Science & Technology

The political crisis will make it hard for Bucharest to improve the country’s very low vaccination rate and absorb much-needed EU funding. 

The Fall of Romania’s Government Bodes Ill for Its COVID-19 Battle

COVID-19

United States

China

Czech Republic

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Bulgaria

Croatia

Poland

Slovakia

Slovenia

Hungary

A satellite image shows Europe at night.

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

Security

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>

Germany

United Kingdom

Netherlands

Without the U.K.'s contributions, the bloc will have to make do with less, setting the stage for squabbles over spending.

The EU's Regional Blocs Butt Heads on the Budget

Brexit

2020 Annual Forecast

2019 Fourth-Quarter Forecast

The popularity of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party if forcing opposition parties such as the party of Pawel Kukiz, shown here speaking to the press in Krakow on Sept. 4, into weighing alliances ahead of October's general elections.

European Disintegration

Polish voters elect a new parliament this fall, while Romanians vote for president. The results could make it harder for Warsaw and Bucharest to cooperate with Brussels.

Elections in Poland and Romania, and What Will Follow for the EU

Serbia

Albania

Many of Eastern Europe's governments are lurching away from democracy, provoking pushback from civil society.

As governments in EU members like the Czech Republic, Romania and others run roughshod over the bloc's values, civil society groups are fighting to uphold the rule of law.

Eastern Europe Witnesses a Quiet Revolution

2019 Third-Quarter Forecast

Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca announced that he will submit his resignation on May 26 so the government coalition can appoint a new prime minister and Cabinet on May 29, Antena 3 reported on May 24.

Romania: Prime Minister to Resign on May 26 as Part of Coalition Agreement

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

A draft bill released by Romania's finance ministry shows that the country's coalition government is planning to implement a series of tax adjustments in August, including higher excise duties on cigarettes and alcohol, Reuters reported July 5.

Romania: Government Plans Tax Hikes to Bolster Budget

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis nominated acting Defense Minister Nicolae Ciuca as Romania’s prime minister-designate after brokering a compromise between Romania’s largest political parties, the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL) and the center-left Social Democratic Party (PSD), Romania Insider reported Nov. 22.

Romania: Parties Strike Deal to Appoint Prime Minister, End Political Crisis

In a press conference following a meeting of the Bucharest Nine (B9) group, the presidents of Romania and Poland called for a stronger NATO presence on the alliance’s eastern flank to counter Russia's destabilizing actions in the Black Sea region, Romania Insider reported May 10. 

Poland, Romania: Countries Call for Greater NATO Presence in Eastern Europe

Romania's parliament approved a new center-right government Dec. 23 led by former Finance Minister Florin Citu.

Romania: Parliament Approves New Government

Romania’s main opposition party, the center-left Social Democratic Party (PSD), won the country’s Dec. 6 general election after obtaining nearly 30 percent of the vote, Deutsche Welle has reported. 

Romania: Ruling Party’s Weak Election Performance Portends Coalition Government

Romania's government under Prime Minister Ludovic Orban of the National Liberal Party lost a no-confidence vote in parliament on Feb. 5, Reuters reported.

Romania: No-Confidence Vote Topples New Government After Just 3 Months

Afghanistan

Algeria

Antigua and Barbuda

Luxembourg

South Sudan

A view of the Register in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Angola

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Bahrain

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.

Barbados

Benin

Egypt

Maldives

Malta

Belize

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

India

Iran

North Macedonia

Tajikistan

Bhutan

Bolivia

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Iraq

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

Burundi

Finland

Israel

Nepal

Cameroon

Canada

Georgia

Jordan

Pakistan

Mir Castle in the Minsk region of Belarus.

Cabo Verde

Chile

Federated States of Micronesia

Kuwait

Liechtenstein

Sri Lanka

Central African Republic

Colombia

Fiji

Lebanon

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Chad

Costa Rica

Indonesia

Libya

Comoros

Cuba

Japan

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

Morocco

Cote d'Ivoire

Denmark

Dominica

Kiribati

Oman

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

Laos

Palestinian Territories

Djibouti

Ecuador

Holy See (Vatican City)

Malaysia

Qatar

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Greece

Marshall Islands

Saudi Arabia

Eritrea

France

Grenada

Mongolia

Romania is located in southeastern Europe, north of the Balkan Peninsula and on the western shore of the Black Sea. The Carpathian Mountains divide Romania into three parts. To the south is the Wallachian Plain, the core of contemporary Romania where its capital, Bucharest, and its old oil center, Ploiesti, are located. East of the Carpathians is the Moldavian Plain, where the city of Iasi sits, which is an important economic and cultural center. To the northwest of the Carpathians is Transylvania, a more rugged, hilly region.      None of the three parts are easy to defend. Transylvania was occupied by the Hungarians in several stages starting in the 11th century, and then fell under Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule. Wallachia and Moldavia were constant battlegrounds for the Ottomans, the Habsburgs and later the Russians.    After becoming a nation-state in the late 19th century, Romania had a precarious existence, balanced between foreign powers. Romania spent most of the 20th century trying to find its balance with monarchy, authoritarianism and democracy. During the Cold War, Romania was ruled by a Communist dictatorship loosely aligned with the Soviet Union. Like most of the former Soviet satellites, after the fall of communism, Romania aligned itself with NATO and the European Union.    The crisis in Ukraine has reignited Romania’s traditional fears of foreign aggression and its strategy to become more independent on energy. Bucharest is worried about events in neighboring Moldova, where the breakaway region of Transdniestria is under Russian influence, and in the Black Sea. As a country surrounded by large powers, Romania’s main geographic challenge is to remain united and limit the influence of foreigners.

SITUATION REPORTS

Romania: Prime Minister to Resign on May 26 as Part of Coalition Agreement

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

Romania: Government Plans Tax Hikes to Bolster Budget

Romania: Parties Strike Deal to Appoint Prime Minister, End Political Crisis

Poland, Romania: Countries Call for Greater NATO Presence in Eastern Europe

Romania: Parliament Approves New Government

Romania: Ruling Party’s Weak Election Performance Portends Coalition Government

Romania: No-Confidence Vote Topples New Government After Just 3 Months

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