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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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IDF Fires Warning Shots Near Diplomatic Delegation in Jenin
On May 21, Israeli soldiers fired warning shots as a foreign diplomatic delegation visited the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. The delegation, comprising representatives from more than 20 countries including France, the UK, Canada, Italy, Japan, and China, was on an official visit coordinated in advance with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to…
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Turkish Envoy Meets in Damascus for Cooperation Talks
Turkish intelligence chief İbrahim Kalin held extensive meetings in Damascus this week with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and intelligence chief Hussein al-Salama. The discussions centered on restoring bilateral relations, enhancing border cooperation, and supporting Syria’s post-conflict recovery efforts. Key topics included counterterrorism efforts, and the disarmament and integration of armed groups…
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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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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),…
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Serbia’s Passport Loophole: The Backdoor to Europe for Russian Elites
The Russian investigative outlet Vazhnye Istorii has uncovered a citizenship scheme that allows Russian nationals—many with ties to the Kremlin or defense sector—to travel freely across Europe despite sanctions. Since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, including travel bans targeting hundreds of government officials, military personnel, and…
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Georgian Authorities Raid Protest-Linked NGOs and Activists
On April 29, Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office conducted coordinated home searches targeting civil society figures and organisations accused of financially supporting anti-government, pro-European Union protests. The searches, based on court-issued warrants, were carried out at the homes of prominent figures involved in civil society and activism, including journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani and human rights defender Aleko…
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Trump and Zelensky Meet at Vatican During Pope’s Funeral
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met briefly inside St. Peter’s Basilica on April 26, during the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. It was their first meeting since their tense encounter at the White House earlier this year. Both leaders described the exchange as positive and productive, and agreed to pursue…