Commentaries
Courage in the Face of Tyranny – Remembering Alexei Navalny
“A concrete kennel, measuring 2.5m x 3m. Most often, it is unbearable due to the cold and dampness. Water collects on the floor, and the window is tiny. The walls […]
Russia
Through its Focus on Russia, Egmont aims to establish an informal yet structured platform for regular exchanges among Belgian experts on Russia. The initiative addresses the full spectrum of political, economic, military, geopolitical, and societal dynamics in Russia. We convene a select group of experienced practitioners, analysts, and scholars with deep expertise on Russia in a series of closed-door meetings held approximately four times per year. Emphasis is placed on collegial dialogue, intellectual openness, and the rigorous exchange of perspectives. By combining longue durée analysis with real-time assessments, the initiative seeks to enhance policy-relevant reflection and strategic situational awareness for Belgian public institutions, in particular the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The overarching objective is to create a trusted expert circle capable of generating nuanced, multidisciplinary insights into Russia as a strategic actor, while also contributing to a more coherent and informed Belgian and European approach.
Heads: Jan Balliauw and Dr Joris Van Bladel
Publications
Commentaries
Beyond the Frontline Roar: Understanding Russia’s Societal Whispers
Last December, we published a paper highlighting that, even for Russia, time is not unlimited in the war in Ukraine. Beyond the facade of regained confidence and the retaking of […]
The Ticking Clock for Russia’s Endless War: Unveiling Silent Turmoil on Putin’s Second Front
While the prevailing narrative suggests that time currently favors Russia in the ongoing conflict, it is imperative to recognize that this temporal advantage is not boundless for either side. Within […]
Measuring the Unmeasurable: Indicators of Russian State Resilience
Twenty months into the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, what initially began as a highly mobile war has now transformed into a protracted battle of attrition—a grueling test of […]
Commentaries
Beyond Russia’s Façade of Stability and Normalcy
In this commentary, we will focus on the fate of Prigozhin, recognizing that as long as he remains alive, he will remain a significant political and military figure that the […]
Commentaries
Russia’s dangerous weakness
On June 24, a bizarre event unfolded in Russia due to a longstanding and outspoken feud between Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of PMC Wagner, and the top officials of the […]