EN 
NL Will sanctions deter Putin?
The world is watching Putin tensely as he announces Russian recognition of the republics of Luhansk and Donetsk. An orchestrated security meeting in Moscow and rancorous speech by the Russian president usher in a new low point between Russia, Ukraine and the West. Will Western sanctions be enough to deter Putin from further violations of Ukrainian sovereignty? - This article follows in English -
Romania: A greater role within NATO and rise of the far right
The Ukraine crisis also puts Romania in the spotlight as part of the NATO eastern front. The Romanian government is taking a diplomatic but firm stance. On the contrary, the same government is adrift domestically due to a power struggle within the coalition. A far-right party is taking advantage of this.
European Court: EU may cut Poland and Hungary subsidies for violation of principles
In a long-awaited ruling, the European Court of Justice has allowed the European Commission to cut billions of euros from member states that violate democratic and rule-of-law principles. The case focuses in particular on Poland and Hungary, which had challenged the conditionality of subsidies before the Court. The ruling takes place within a wider debate in Brussels on how to deal with various authoritarian powers that challenge the Union from both inside and outside.
Successful MENA Academy in Tunisia
Last month, after almost two years of inactivity, we were able to organise another physical MENA Academy. For four days, we trained young people from different countries in the Middle East and North Africa. These are young people chosen by their own parties as promising candidates and perhaps the future leaders of their parties or countries!
Retrospective Political Café Ethiopia
On 20 January, we organised an online political café on Ethiopia, in view of the recent escalation of the conflict (reference to Dorine's article). Our speakers were Lulessa Abadura from the Gurmuu Foundation; Habtom Yohannes, PhD candidate at Radboud University; Jan Abbink from Leiden University; and Weyni Tesfai, cultural anthropologist and historian in the field of Africa studies.
The war in Yemen
The war in Yemen goes on and on, after seven years of unrest. It all started during the Yemeni Revolution in 2011 and 2012, when the government of Ali Abdullah Saleh was overthrown. However, the historical roots of the conflict go much further, back to the eight-year civil war between republican and royalist forces that began in the September Revolution of 1962.
DONBAS - torn between Ukraine and Russia
The People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk emerged in 2014 as unrecognised pro-Russian secession from Ukraine.
Vacancy Junior project manager MENA region (28 hours)
Vacancy junior project manager MENA region (28 hours). Please respond by 2 January 2022 at the latest.
Saving democracy also requires action at home
On 9 and 10 December, US President Biden will hold his Summit for Democracy. It is good that Biden is drawing full attention to the democratic rule of law. After all, it is under pressure worldwide. The Netherlands is attending and our outgoing prime minister is expected to contribute. This offers our country a unique platform to stand up for democratic rights worldwide. As representatives of civil society organisations, we make a number of suggestions in this open letter.
Macedonian ruling coalition favourite to win presidential election amidst ellegularities
On 13 April Macedonia will go to the polls to elect a new president. The top two contenders will compete against each other in a second round on 27 April. Four candidates are in the race to become Macedonia's largely symbolic Head of State. On 27 April, Macedonian's will also vote for parliament in the early general elections. The general elections are considered more important as they will determine who will become the most powerful person in the country, the Prime Minister.
