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Georgia: New Foreign Agent Law Takes Effect
On May 31, Georgia’s new foreign agent law took effect. It mandates that individuals and organizations deemed to be acting in the interest of a “foreign principal” to register with the Anti-Corruption Bureau within ten days or face penalties including fines up to ₾10,000 (~$3,600), imprisonment for up to five years, or deportation in the…
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Russia Seeks Buffer Zone in Ukraine Border Areas
Russian military operations have intensified along Ukraine’s northeastern border, where Moscow is reportedly aiming to establish a 10-kilometer-deep buffer zone in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 28, approximately 50,000 Russian troops have been deployed for this purpose. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that a total of 125,000 Russian personnel…
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Germany Confirms End of Range Limits on Arms Supplied to Ukraine
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 26 that Western allies have lifted range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, enabling strikes on military targets within Russia. Merz stated that the United Kingdom (UK), France, the United States (US), and Germany now permit such use and affirmed continued military support for Ukraine. He added that…
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Georgian Opposition Figure Arrested as Government Pushes EU Narrative
On May 22, Georgian opposition leader Zurab Japaridze was arrested in a Tbilisi courtroom after refusing to pay ₾20,000 ($7,300) bail tied to his noncompliance with a parliamentary investigative commission. The commission, initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party (conservative party), is examining alleged abuses during the 2003–2012 presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili and has the…
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Silk Roads: China’s Footprint in Georgia
On March 31, 2025, Georgia deepened its shift toward China by signing a financial cooperation deal, reflecting broader strategic realignment amid stalled EU integration and declining Western engagement. CREDIT: Kari Nousiainen.On March 31, 2025, the National Bank of Georgia signed a memorandum of understanding with the People’s Bank of China in Beijing, outlining cooperation in monetary policy, financial technology, payment systems, and securities market development. This development marks a new phase in bilateral cooperation between the two countries, and is part of Georgia’s broader strategic…
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Romania: Simion Concedes as Dan Wins Presidency
Nicușor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest from the Save Romania Union (pro-European liberal party), won Romania’s presidential election on May 18, after defeating the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR, right-wing nationalist party) George Simion. Official results showed Dan securing 53.6% of the vote in the runoff, while Simion received 46.4%.…
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Proposed Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Istanbul
Russia has proposed holding direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, though the meeting has not been confirmed. The initiative, put forward by President Vladimir Putin on May 11, was discussed in a recent phone call between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Moscow has called for talks…
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Parade and Pressure: Russia’s Victory Day Celebrations
As Russia prepares for its May 9 Victory Day parade amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, tensions rise following Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow, the participation of foreign troops, and the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Russia, including Moscow, days before the Victory Day parade. The strike heightened security concerns as foreign leaders and troops prepared to attend. The incident underscores rising tensions and the broader geopolitical stakes surrounding Russia’s wartime commemorations and alliances. Key Takes Major Drone Strike: On May 6, 2025, Ukraine…
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Afghan Returnees Crisis Deepens
Afghanistan is experiencing mounting pressure as large-scale returns from Pakistan and Iran continue, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Nearly one million Afghans have returned from Pakistan over the past 18 months, with 145,000 arriving in April 2025 alone—eight times the February…
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PM Resigns as Romania Heads to Presidential Runoff
Romania is heading into a second round of presidential elections on May 18, after George Simion, candidate for the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR, right-wing nationalist party) secured over 40% of the vote in the first round on May 4. Simion will face Nicușor Dan from the Save Romania Union (pro-European liberal party),…
