The policy brief examines the political and geopolitical context of the presidential elections in the Republic of Congo scheduled for March 2026. It focuses on how the Congolese leadership navigates the environment of increasing international competition in Africa, particularly between the European Union, Russia and other external actors.
Since the violent breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbia has played a pivotal role in the Balkans as the largest of the post-Yugoslav nation-states. Over the past decade, the current Serbian regime has become an influential regional actor, employing a wide range of political, informational, economic, cultural, and security-related instruments to shape its strategic position in the region. Increasingly, Serbian regional policy is framed through the political concept of the “Serbian World” (Srpski svet), which refers to the idea of maintaining a unified political, cultural, and informational space linking Serbia with Serb communities in neighbouring states.
The policy paper describes and analyzes Russia’s strategic objectives and vulnerabilities and offers insight into how adversaries can increase pressure on Putin’s regime. The authors also examine Russia’s perception of Europe, its “divide and rule” strategy, and its global ambitions for a post-Western multipolar order. The conclusion emphasizes the need for Europe to use instruments of power to protect its interests in a fragmented international order.
