Covering politics, society and business in Southern and Eastern Europe

Montenegro’s Cybersecurity Spending Spree Sparks Questions About Cost

After a major cyberattack in 2022, experts have questioned the Montenegrin government’s preference for buying expensive Microsoft and Oracle licences over open-source software.

Feature

Anger or Silence: In Georgia and Republika Srpska, Contrasting Reactions to ‘Foreign Agent’ Laws

The governments of Georgia and Bosnia’s Serb-dominated Republika Srpska entity have both proposed laws targeting ‘foreign influence’ – but while many Georgians are demonstrating, few Bosnian Serbs are doing likewise.

Feature

Conflict of Interest? Restaurant Investment Raises Questions for Albanian Minister

News

Turkey Gives President Right to Declare National Mobilisation

Cementing Turkey’s executive presidential system, a new State of War and Mobilisation Regulation makes President Erdogan the sole decision maker when it comes to declaring a national mobilisation.

Macedonian Church Rejects Constantinople’s Conditions for Independence

Archbishop says Church won’t give up the name ‘Macedonian’ to a secure a ‘tomos’, or decree of independence, from head of global Orthodoxy in Constantinople.

US, EU and Serbia Condemn Kosovo’s Closure of Serb Banks

Legal Experts Warn New Moldovan Citizenship Rules Risk Statelessness

Hague Court Rejects Ratko Mladic’s Plea for Provisional Release

Turkey’s Erdogan says Jailing of Kurdish Politicians not ‘Political’

Central Europe’s Defence Industry: Back with a Bang

Anger or Silence: In Georgia and Republika Srpska, Contrasting Reactions to ‘Foreign Agent’ Laws

Montenegro’s Cybersecurity Spending Spree Sparks Questions About Cost

Reporting Democracy

Analysis

Obesity in Czechia: Tipping the Scales of the Debate

Review

Democracy Digest: Slovak PM Stable; Condition of Country Anything But

Opinion

Orban Will Sacrifice Kosovo to Keep Serbian Ally Sweet

Premium

May 23, 2024

Central Europe’s Defence Industry: Back with a Bang

As the EU Commission industry chief urges European defence firms to get into ‘war economy mode’, V4 arms manufacturers are building capacities and partnerships – even if their governments have an ambiguous stance over the war in Ukraine.

May 23, 2024

Anger or Silence: In Georgia and Republika Srpska, Contrasting Reactions to ‘Foreign Agent’ Laws

The governments of Georgia and Bosnia’s Serb-dominated Republika Srpska entity have both proposed laws targeting ‘foreign influence’ – but while many Georgians are demonstrating, few Bosnian Serbs are doing likewise.

May 23, 2024

Montenegro’s Cybersecurity Spending Spree Sparks Questions About Cost

After a major cyberattack in 2022, experts have questioned the Montenegrin government’s preference for buying expensive Microsoft and Oracle licences over open-source software.

May 22, 2024

Criticism of New President Highlights EU’s Double Standards on North Macedonia

Attacks on the new head of state’s use of the country’s old name at her inauguration were predictable – but the EU’s failure to address Greece and Bulgaria’s own provocations is regrettable.

May 22, 2024

Srebrenica Survivors Await UN Vote as Serbs Slam Genocide Resolution

As survivors and victims’ families await this week’s vote at the UN General Assembly on a resolution condemning the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, Bosnian Serbs and their allies have been campaigning against it, claiming it demonises all Serbs.

May 22, 2024

Following You: Cycling Apps May Collect Your Sensitive Location Data

Online cycling apps seem harmless and fun – but what most cyclists don’t realise is that many of them also collect data that thieves, stalkers and others can exploit.

May 17, 2024

BIRN’s Week in Review: Headaches and Hangovers

Our selection of stories from BIRN’s Premium Content selection this week includes several investigations digging into controversial topics, from facial recognition technology to military volunteers fighting for Russia.

Opinions