Our Top Weekend Reads
Turkey bombs Syrian Kurds, Poland goes to the polls, and the NBA bows to Chinese pressure.
For Eastern Europe, Brussels Is the New Moscow
After upcoming elections in Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania, healing Europe’s east-west divide will be more urgent than ever.
Poland Is Purging Its Prosecutors
The PiS government is rooting out, relocating, and demoting political critics in the name of judicial reform.
For Bosnian Women, No Justice—and No Seats
In the Balkan wars, women were targets. In postwar governments, they’ve been pushed out of sight.
Once Again, Ukraine Steps Into the Unknown
A comedian-turned-president, a rockstar-turned-party leader, and a sea of new faces in the parliament: Meet the new political reality in Ukraine.
Europe Must Not Allow Enemies of Democracy to Choose the Next EU Commissioner
The illiberal leaders of Hungary and Poland falsely claim Frans Timmermans would divide Europe. What they really fear is his commitment to the rule of law.
Pope Francis’s Warning
A transcript of the pontiff’s remarks in Romania.
What Actually Happens When a Country Bans Abortion
Romania under Ceausescu created a dystopian horror of overcrowded, filthy orphanages, and thousands died from back-alley abortions.
Ukraine’s Pretend President Now Faces a Real Test
In his fight against corruption, Zelensky will face real challenges—not least from his own constituents.
How China Blew Its Chance in Eastern Europe
Seven years on, the 16+1 project has largely flopped.
Can Zuzana Caputova Save Slovakia?
A political newcomer is poised to become president by standing up for liberal democratic values—and seeking to halt the spread of right-wing populism across Central and Eastern Europe.
Can the Czech Republic Tear Down Europe’s Rainbow Curtain?
Eastern Europe has long resisted same-sex marriage. Prague might be about to change that.
Serbia’s Protests Aren’t the Beginning of a Balkan Spring
Demonstrations against Aleksandar Vucic’s authoritarian government won’t achieve anything until the opposition can present a coherent alternative.
Don’t Believe the Russian Hype
Moscow’s missile capabilities in the Baltic Sea region are not nearly as dangerous as they seem.
People of the World, Stop Looking at Moldova!
Politicians in this corner of Eastern Europe insist their country is a stage for geopolitical rivalry between the West and Russia—the better to profit from the attention.
You Only Wish You Had Ukraine’s Democracy
Despite attacks from abroad and corruption at home, Ukrainian democracy isn't failing—it's thriving.
Hungary Finally Has an Opposition Worth a Damn
The country’s youngest party has united the left and right against Viktor Orban.
Hunger Strike Gains Momentum in Azerbaijan
Seeing Baku as a strategic partner, the United States and Europe overlook rights violations.
Poland Is Trying to Make Abortion Dangerous, Illegal, and Impossible
Ireland voted to liberalize abortion laws. The far-right government in Warsaw is moving in the opposite direction.
How an Internet Impostor Exposed the Underbelly of the Czech Media
When politicians own the press, trolls have the last laugh.
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