New at AMO

AMO concludes a partnership with the Kosciuszko Institute

Disinformation, information operations and hybrid threats continue to present a prominent threat to the Central and Eastern European region. In response to these increasing challenges, unity between and action among civil society organisations and experts on the underlying issues are vital for building societal resilience. In particular, cross-border information sharing and offering of lessons to counterparts across regional divides constitutes an important factor.

Putin’s regime and the politics of memory

In the past, the Czech-Russian relations went through periods of ups and downs. However, after April 17, 2021, as a result of the Vrbětice affair, they found themselves at the biggest crossroads to date. The bilateral escalation was followed by a dramatic diplomatic pressure and inclusion of Czechia to the list of Russia’s official “enemies” together with the United States, as the only two countries in the world. Nevertheless, for quite some time, the bilateral ties have pursued a negative trend and the attribution of attacks on ammunition depots on the Czech territory to Russia’s military intelligence GRU only brought the last nail to the coffin of the bilateral relationship.

The Czech–Polish positions on the Eastern Partnership: In search of new synergies

The European policy of the Eastern Partnership faces a number of challenges today, in particular in maintaining it as a sensible and ambitious way to bring the countries of Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus closer to the EU. At the same time, it is intended to help the six countries in the Eastern European region strengthen their sovereignty and territorial integrity, which have long been questioned by the Russian Federation. The policy paper on Czech-Polish synergies in Eastern Europe deals with developments in the region of Eastern Europe and the role played by the EU, especially the Czechia and Poland.

The socioeconomic impacts of renewable energy in EU regions

Within the next years, the European Union will see a substantial acceleration in renewable energy projects being deployed. An implementation of wind turbines, solar panels and other technologies is not only crucial to meet the climate targets of the Paris Agreement and the European Climate Law, but can also spark a variety of positive impacts on people’s lives

Czech-Russian Escalation as a Case of Deeper EU-Russia Crisis: Time for a United and Credible Action

In the past, the Czech-Russian relations went through periods of ups and downs. However, after April 17, 2021, as a result of the Vrbětice affair, they found themselves at the biggest crossroads to date. The bilateral escalation was followed by a dramatic diplomatic pressure and inclusion of Czechia to the list of Russia’s official “enemies” together with the United States, as the only two countries in the world. Nevertheless, for quite some time, the bilateral ties have pursued a negative trend and the attribution of attacks on ammunition depots on the Czech territory to Russia’s military intelligence GRU only brought the last nail to the coffin of the bilateral relationship.

MapInfluenCE Biweekly Briefing – China-Europe Railways, Internal Divisions over Beijing Olympics in Czechia, Opposition to Defense Agreement with the US in Slovakia

In the briefing: the burgeoning China-Europe railway trade, a spat over support for the Beijing Olympics in Czechia, vocal opposition to a planned defense agreement with Washington in Slovakia, and Taiwan’s growing investment plans in the region.

China as a Narrative Challenge for NATO Member States

China is generally considered one of the greatest challenges facing NATO member states in the 21st century. Much attention has been paid to China’s decades-long meteoric economic rise which has also fueled a massive military buildup. During the 2010s, China became increasingly assertive in its geopolitical neighborhood, raising alarms in numerous capitals. In recent years, China’s growing interference in domestic affairs of countries around the world has attracted growing international attention, while Chinese technology is quickly catching up – or even leading – in key domains, such as 5G, AI, big data, surveillance, space, and others.