As the far-right asserts itself with increasing aggressiveness around the world, Michael Colborne sheds light on Bulgaria, where the far-right has managed to infiltrate all corners of the political mainstream. It’s been more than a hundred days since a gaggle of far-right firebrands became part of Bulgaria’s new government – and it’s passed…
Tag: russia
“Not FETÖ, But NATO”
Turkey’s failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt has torn apart the country’s military and shifted power towards those more skeptical of the intergovernmental alliance. Not long after 9 pm on the evening of July 15, 2016, Turkey’s Chief of Staff, 2nd Chief of Staff, Land Forces Chief and eight…
Memory Overproduction: Turbo Sculpture and the Bizarre Statues of Belgrade
A curious array of monuments have been cropping up all over Belgrade recently, with statues of Andy Warhol, a Stalinist poet from Kazakhstan, and a late dictator from Azerbaijan all already raised or planned. What do such seemingly incoherent monuments say about politics and memory in the city and region? It is…
No, the EU Hasn’t Necessarily “Dodged a Bullet” in Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s recent parliamentary election was widely declared a victory for EU interests by the western media, but a closer look at the complicated web of Kremlin influence and “pro-Russia” and “pro-EU” loyalties in Bulgaria reveals a far more complex picture, argues Michael Colborne. Bulgaria got caught in the western media…
A Conversation With Carl Bildt
A while back, I interviewed the most enigmatic diplomat in the world: Carl Bildt. Mr. Bildt has served as Sweden’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and held a number of posts in the Balkans, including as the EU’s Special Envoy to the former Yugoslavia, Co-Chairman of the Dayton Peace Conference…
A Preliminary Guide to Slovenia’s Presidential Elections
Slovenia’s presidential elections are scheduled for the end of the year. Will incumbent #instapresident Borut “Barbie” Pahor emerge triumphant, or will Slovenia lurch nativist right wing, becoming the EU’s next Poland? Our Slovenia correspondent Pengovsky takes a look at the state of presidential play in Melania Trump’s homeland, with illustrations taken from…
Balkanist Recommends: Russian Welcome Signs
We recommend checking out the photos from this great Russian livejournal account dedicated to the various welcome signs from the entrances to cities and towns across the Russian Federation. A bit more information about the locations of each of these signs is available on the website (in Russian), but many of…