Author Archives: Irena Baboi
Irena Baboi is a PhD candidate at the University of Glasgow, researching the future of European Union involvement in the Western Balkans. She also obtained both of her previous degrees from the same university, having completed an MA in Politics and Central and East European Studies and an MSc in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies. Irena’s previous work experience includes internships with AKE Intelligence Group in London, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and United Nations Information Centre in her hometown of Bucharest, Romania, fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support, freelance writing and editing for Oxford University Press. She has also been a volunteer with the British Red Cross since 2013. Irena’s research interests include human rights, peacebuilding and statebuilding, conflict prevention, management and resolution, transitional justice, and post-conflict development.
Irena Baboi
October 24, 2018
Europe, Latest Articles
Bosnia's October election cast a light on all of the country's weaknesses, dysfunctions and inefficiencies. The political system seems fixed in a form that only benefits its elite, and Bosnia-Herzegovina is moving sideways rather than with a look towards the future.
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Irena Baboi
September 11, 2018
Europe, Global Governance and Human Rights, Latest Articles
In the past two years in particular, Romanians have seen what their taking to the streets can achieve. It is time, however, that the mobilisation that has been so successful in bringing temporary changes about goes further, and aims for something more permanent.
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Irena Baboi
August 13, 2018
Europe, Latest Articles, Security and Defence, Uncategorized
President Trump's outspoken antipathy towards NATO over the last few weeks does not constitute a shift in his attitude towards the organisation. Consequently, his statements may be better interpreted as an attempt to distract from other issues, rather than as a warning signal.
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Irena Baboi
July 8, 2018
Europe, Latest Articles
With his victory secured, Erdogan will be presiding over a Turkey where virtually all checks and balances have been eliminated, and under the new constitution he could potentially hold power until 2028.
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Irena Baboi
June 4, 2018
Europe, Global Governance and Human Rights, Latest Articles, Uncategorized
On 14 June, the mandate of EULEX – the European Union's mission focused on assisting and supporting Kosovo's authorities in enforcing the rule of law – will come to an end. The mission will not end on a positive tone, but a new monitoring and advisory role could help improve on the current situation.
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Irena Baboi
May 4, 2018
Europe, Latest Articles
Like the electorate in the Balkans, the West often opts for a “devil you know” and “lesser evil” strategy when choosing who to support as leader. This is understandable in the short-term, but in the long-term it may be extremely damaging.
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Irena Baboi
April 3, 2018
Europe, Latest Articles, Security and Defence
In a pre-elections speech reminiscent of those delivered by Soviet leaders in the Cold War era, Vladimir Putin covered all grounds to distract attention internally and create a military fantasy externally.
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Irena Baboi
February 24, 2018
Europe, Latest Articles
The name dispute has been the biggest obstacle to European integration for the Western Balkan country, and has resulted in Greece vetoing Skopje’s NATO accession in 2008 and blocking its European Union accession talks before they even began.
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Irena Baboi
January 21, 2018
Europe, Global Governance and Human Rights, Latest Articles
The road towards justice in the Western Balkans is still long, but it is not an impossible one – and if reconciliation is to be achieved, the ICTY needs to start being seen as merely the beginning of this road.
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Irena Baboi
December 7, 2017
Europe, Latest Articles
With the European Union’s attention almost entirely dedicated to the Brexit negotiations, 2017 has been a year of highs and lows for the Western Balkans. Some countries proved themselves capable of impressive progress, while others showed why external involvement is still very much needed in the region.
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