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SubscriptionsAuthor: Nikola Mikovic
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‘Ukraine’s Kursk Offensive is Vladimir Putin’s Emperor Has No Clothes Moment’
It is the first occupation of Russian territory since the Second World War – and it has created a myriad of problems for Putin
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China Increases Influence in Russia’s Backyard as ‘Strategic Partnership’ is Tested
Last year China overtook Russia to become Kazakhstan’s biggest trading partner, with two-way trade topping $41 billion. In Central Asia, it is Beijing, rather than the West, that has the capacity to end the era of Russian dominance
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The Kremlin’s Game of Thrones: Why did Putin Sack Shoigu?
Putin may replace his long-standing Defence Minister but cannot tackle the real cause of his disastrous foreign policy – himself
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‘In the Wake of the Massacre Near Moscow, Russian Anti-Migrant Policies Could Backfire’
Can the Kremlin respond to calls to limit Central Asian migration, when Russia faces a demographic crisis?
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Putin’s Mission Accomplished: Alexey Navalny is Dead
Navalny’s death proves that no serious political force can challenge the Kremlin’s dictator – but it seriously undermines Russia’s image in the world
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Tucker Carlson Interview: Putin Reveals Inferiority Complex as He Blames Boris Johnson for Continued War
In his much-vaunted interview with the Russian leader, Tucker Carlson simply allowed Putin to repeat well-worn propaganda points. But who is Putin actually talking to?
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Why Do Both Russia and the US Support Serbia’s Populist Leader?
Despite claims President Vukic’s party ‘stole the vote’ in recent elections, the West seems to be placing stability in the Balkans over democratic legitimacy
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Will Anti-Jewish Riots in Dagestan Destabilise Putin’s Regime?
The events at the Makhachkala airport are directly related to the Kremlin’s inability to preserve stability, writes Nikola Mikovic
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Belarus: What if Lukashenko Dies?
Nikola Mikovic looks at what the dictator’s demise would mean in terms of the Belarusian opposition, the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and the struggle between Putin and the West for regional influence
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The Game is Finally Up for Europe’s Longest Serving Autocrat
Ever since it emerged out of the collapse of Yugoslavia, Milo Djukanovic has been in power in Montenegro. Nikola Mikovic explores the end of an era and what it means for the future
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Armenia is Turning its Back on Russia
The era of Russian dominance in the South Caucasus is coming to an end, reports Nikola Mikovic
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Ukraine’s Counter Offensives: Is Putin Disconnected from Reality?
As the Russian army is pushed back around Kharkiv and Kherson, Nicola Mikovic looks at why the Kremlin still holds to its narrative of a multi-polar world, with itself a major player
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Serbia-Kosovo Tensions: How Likely is Another War in Europe?
If Putin is trying to stoke conflict in the Balkans, he’s going to have to contend with the influence of NATO, the US and the EU in the region, reports Nicola Mikovic
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Winter is Coming: Can Europe Win the Energy Battle with Russia?
With the Kremlin disrupting supplies of gas to the EU as part of its war effort against Ukraine, Nikola Mikovic looks at who will suffer most in the coming showdown
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Will Belarus Invade Western Ukraine?
Nikola Mikovic considers the evidence for whether Russia is set to mobilise its only close European ally in the Ukraine war
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Oil, Gas and War: Putin’s Choices in Kazakhstan and Ukraine
Nikola Mikovic looks at the Kremlin’s response to two crises on the borders of Russia, and sees strategic energy reserves as a key factor in its decision making
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Could the Migrant Crisis on the Belarusian-Polish Border Lead to a Major War in Europe?
Nikola Mikovic explains how the weaponisation of refugees by the Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko is a serious new escalation in the conflicts between the EU and Russia over recognition, energy supplies and the frozen war in Ukraine
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Oil Well Hunt in the Shadow of Ethnic Clashes in Montenegro
The inauguration of the new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro was met with protests and accusations that the Church is a tool for Russian interests
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State Kidnapped Belarusian Dissident Roman Protasevich is the Victim of a New Cold War
Nikola Mikovic reports on how the West’s reaction to a new wave of suppression in Belarus could drive it closer to Putin and the Kremlin
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Is War Between Russia and Ukraine Just a Matter of Time?
Nikola Mikovic analyses the military build-up in Eastern Ukraine as tensions mount again between Kyiv and Moscow
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Will Putin’s Russia Set Its Sights on Destabilising Moldova?
Nikola Mikovic reports on developments around Transnistria, Moldova’s Russian-sponsored breakaway region
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Russia and Belarus: The Power Play
Nikola Mikovic discusses how energy will define relations between Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
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Russia Could Have Betrayed Armenia for Oil and Gas
Nikola Mikovic examines whether Russia’s decision not to support Armenia could have been linked to lucrative energy deals with Azerbaijan
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Putin Forced Armenia to Capitulate to Azerbaijan
As the US remains preoccupied with the presidential elections, Nikola Mikovic reports on how Russia appears to be resolving the conflict over the Armenian enclave
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The ‘Lukashenko Must Go’ Campaign Faces its Final Crusade
If a national strike fails to bring down Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, opposition forces will be forced to play the long game, reports Nikola Mikovic
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Will Trump Benefit from the Azerbaijan–Armenia Conflict?
The United States has entered negotiations at a crucial time for Donald Trump, and for the Nagorno-Karabakh region, reports Nikola Mikovic
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Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire Evaporates as Putin’s Options Narrow
The conflict between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces continues unabated despite Russia’s resolution attempts, explains Nikola Mikovic
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Kyrgyzstan Turmoil: Is Russia Losing its Hold on Central Asia?
Nikola Mikovic reports on the third domino to fall among Putin’s allies and questions around the Kremlin’s ability to influence its neighbours
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Azerbaijan–Armenia Conflict: Braced for Escalation
Nikola Mikovic reports on the intensification of violence between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as foreign superpowers wait in the wings
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On the Brink of War: Tensions Escalate between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Nikola Mikovic explores the implications of war between the two energy-rich territories and how Russia and Turkey are expected to become more directly involved
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Who is the Legitimate Leader of Belarus?
Nikola Mikovic considers the future of the opposition movement in Belarus, after autocrat Alexander Lukashenko was secretly inaugurated for a sixth consecutive term
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Belarus Crisis: Can Putin and Lukashenko do a Deal without Involving the West?
Nikola Mikovic reports on the crucial meeting on Monday between the Belarus and Russian Presidents
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How the US and Israel Benefit from the Serbia-Kosovo Deal
Nikola Mikovic reports on how the US could be just as interested in the energy reserves of the Balkan Nations as boosting Benjamin Netanyahu
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Is It Game Over for Montenegro’s 30-Year Autocrat?
Nikola Mikovic reports on this weekend’s momentous elections in Montenegro, which have left autocrat Milo Đukanović in a precarious position
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Belarus: Are the Russians Coming?
Nikola Mikovic assesses the chances Putin will intervene militarily in his turbulent neighbour given the dangerous precedent of Ukraine
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Will Putin Trap Belarus Further As It Struggles for Freedom?
Nikola Mikovic explores the extent to which the eastern European country’s fate is tied to Russia and its dependence on it for resources
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Does Putin Really Want to Destabilise Belarus?
In the most dynamic and interesting election in the past 26 years, Nikola Mikovic analyses why President Lukashenko is playing the Russian Interference card
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A Battle Over Energy Resources Fuels the Escalating Conflict Between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Nikola Mikovic reports on the recent spike in hostilities between the two nations caught up in a Turkish-Russian power battle
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Belarus Elections: Is Europe’s Oldest Autocrat in Danger?
Once dubbed ‘Europe’s last dictator’, President Alexander Lukashenko’s re-election in August might well be his last, reports Nikola Mikovic
