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The Overlooked Role of Soviet Child Soldiers in Defeating Adolf Hitler

By Matyas Goupil Introduction The Second World War was apocalyptic for the USSR. 1,700 towns and 70,000 villages burned down; 32,000 factories destroyed; 27 million deaths, two thirds of whom were children. The war proved to be an existential conflict in which people fought for their very right to live against an ideology determined toContinue reading “The Overlooked Role of Soviet Child Soldiers in Defeating Adolf Hitler”

Erasmus+ Perspectives: Pre-Accession Countries’ Participation in the Education Part of the Programme

By Iveri Kekenadze Gustafsson Introduction: The Erasmus Programme has been a game-changer in the area of education, not only in the European Union (EU) and Erasmus+ Programme countries but also in the broader world. Since the establishment of Erasmus+ as part of the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the programme has further expanded from a facilitating toolContinue reading “Erasmus+ Perspectives: Pre-Accession Countries’ Participation in the Education Part of the Programme”

Sabalić v. Croatia or the impact of an incorrect criminal characterisation to fundamental rights

By Kyriaki Papadopoulou For centuries, homosexuality has been disapproved and even considered illegal. It should raise concerns that 62 of 193 UN member states criminalise consensual same-sex acts, while two UN member states criminalise them de facto but not in legislation. In reality, the thorn in our (legal) culture is not gay people, but thoseContinue reading “Sabalić v. Croatia or the impact of an incorrect criminal characterisation to fundamental rights”

Tech Lobby, EU Policies and the Importance of Mental Health

By Katerina Tsirigoti Introduction Lobbying is perceived as a negative aspect of politics that serves privileged minorities seeking to intervene directly or indirectly in political affairs. Lobbying can have transformative effects on the political life of a country, not only on domestic policy but equally on foreign policy, the electoral system, the protection of nationalContinue reading “Tech Lobby, EU Policies and the Importance of Mental Health”

Azerbaijan, the Iranian Threat and the West Response: Realism vs Procrastination

By Francesco Foti INTRODUCTION Strained Azerbaijani-Iranian relations to the point of mutual expulsion of diplomatic personnel and the suspension of Azerbaijan’s embassy in Iran following the 2023 terrorist attack are the latest regionally destabilising manoeuvres which are paired with Russian regional designs that could further frustrate the quest for strategic security and stability of bothContinue reading “Azerbaijan, the Iranian Threat and the West Response: Realism vs Procrastination”

Is Europe’s Populist Tide Finally Faltering? Lessons from the Spanish General Election

By James Kemmy For over a decade now, Europe’s political system has been stormed by inflammatory and polarising forces seeking to disrupt the region’s traditionally liberal outlook. The ascent of populists, predominantly of an ultra-nationalist orientation, has substantially impacted Europe’s political landscape. Posing material electoral threat in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, whilst being elevatedContinue reading “Is Europe’s Populist Tide Finally Faltering? Lessons from the Spanish General Election”