A President ‘Wanted’ — An Interview with Milorad Dodik of Republika Srpska

‘Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing the most serious constitutional crisis since its inception, and this crisis will be resolved through political and legal means,’ President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik told Hungarian Conservative. In the interview, the Bosnian Serb leader—currently facing two arrest warrants—sets out the lesser-known perspective of the ongoing tensions in the Western Balkans.

Chinese Mercenaries in Ukraine? Beijing Rejects Zelenskyy’s Claim

China rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s claim of large-scale Chinese military involvement on Russia’s side on Wednesday. Kyiv announced on Tuesday that two Chinese citizens had been captured in Donetsk and suggested that there could be ‘many more’ fighting against Ukrainian forces.

NATO in Question: How Americans and Europeans Viewed the Alliance in the 60s

‘Hazel Erskine…published a series of polls in The Public Opinion Quarterly in 1969 based on previously classified reports from the USIA’s Research and Reference Service. While many of the issues surveyed are no longer politically relevant, they remain of historical interest. Most questions originate from the 1960s, with some earlier data included to examine trends related to NATO and defence.’

European Countries Tighten Border Control Due to Spread of Disease

Austria has closed down 23 of its border crossings with Slovakia and Hungary, while Hungary has established ‘disinfection points’ where members of its Defence Forces are disinfecting all vehicles entering the country. This is in response to the spread of foot-and-moth disease, a condition than only affects livestock and poses no danger to humans.

Poland’s Heart Turns Cold on Ukraine as Presidential Election Nears

Poles increasingly view support for Ukraine as a burden on the nation, with public sentiment shifting rapidly in a negative direction. This is clearly reflected in the rising popularity of Sławomir Mentzen, the presidential candidate of the right-wing Konfederacja, who is firmly opposed to the war and to unconditional support for Kyiv.

Mystery Grows After NATO Chief Rutte Claims US Soldiers Dead in Lithuania

Four US soldiers stationed in Lithuania went missing on Tuesday during a training exercise near the Lithuanian–Belarusian border. On Wednesday NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte claimed that the troops had been killed; however, the US Army and the Lithuanian Armed Forces stated that the search is still ongoing.

Snow White Flops Massively at the Box Office, to the Surprise of No One

Walt Disney’s new live-action adaption of Snow White, starring Latina Actress Rachel Zegler, brought in just $86.1 million in revenue in its opening weekend worldwide, underperforming even the low end of projections. Given its massive production budget of $270 million, it is very likely to be a massive financial loss for the studio.

Francesco Solimena, Allegory of Reign (1690). Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia

From Buda to Brussels: Sovereignty under Europe’s Technocratic Regime

‘The defence of democracy, human rights, and sovereignty cannot be contingent on political expediency or the geopolitical convenience of targeting smaller or less powerful states. A genuinely united Europe must demonstrate a consistent and impartial commitment to its principles, respecting the agency of all member states.’

Digitalization as a Grand Strategy for Countries with Declining Populations

‘One of the main consequences of falling birth rates is labour shortages, which hamper economic growth and the sustainability of pension systems. In a paradoxical twist, regional inequality is deepened by the depopulation of rural areas, while in urban areas, the increase of real estate prices still hinders young people from starting new families. Digitalization…could be a solution to these problems.’