Human Security Centre Human Rights and International Security Research

Russian interference in national elections is intensifying, but so is political and popular resistance to it. Recent events in Moldova, Georgia and Romania show that forces to counter the effects of this interference exist, but also that national systems continue to have vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited.

The system that Erdoğan has carefully built in the last two decades is only functional with him in control. Internally, the long-term leader enjoys the support of not only Turkey’s nationalists and traditionalists, but also those who want to see their country as strong, stable and independent, with a say in international relations.

While it is likely that these threats Serbia's leadership is claiming the European Union and the United States have made are exaggerated, this is precisely the kind of tough approach that Brussels and Washington need to take if real progress towards the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is to be achieved.

The European Union must show it can monitor how legal frameworks and institutions function in practice, and maintain pressure on a member state to implement long-lasting democratic reforms – this will send an important message about upholding the rule of law to all European Union member states, and even the candidate ones.

Moscow must not be allowed to get away with this, even if the sanctions are also costly to the side imposing them. If Russia thinks it has won Ukraine, it is naïve to think it will stop there – this victory will only embolden it to go after everything else it desires.

The diplomatic row between Lithuania and China was a calculated risk for the former, and its negative effects were felt much more by the latter. Vilnius’ unwavering standing of its ground, made possible by Beijing’s limited economic and political leverage, made another dent in China’s image as all-powerful.

When it comes to the Euro-Atlantic region’s relations with Beijing, the former is likely to maintain a cautious approach. The People’s Republic of China needs to be kept in check, but a door for dialogue and collaboration must be kept open.

Alexey Navalny’s arrest and sentencing brought the people of Russia to the streets, but it was anger at their current situation that kept them there. The ill-treatment you are likely to experience if you disagree with the government, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, and years of declining living standards all combined to generate Russia’s largest-scale demonstrations in nearly a decade.

In the Western Balkans, the Biden administration has all the tools necessary to achieve successful political and economic transformation. The newly-elected POTUS has a deep understanding of the region, and is all too aware that the carrot and the stick are more effective when there is agreement and mutual support between the European Union and the United States.

The people of Belarus are standing firm in their convictions, and have not given in even when faced with violence and oppression. In order to succeed now, and achieve their goal of a democratic country, they need concrete international support. The days of dictatorial rule and control must come to an end – and the Belarus that people are fighting for must become a reality.