Issue 5/2026: Round and round we go

Click here to become a member of New Eastern Europe and get access to this issue plus all previous issues

To purchase a single copy of the issue click here

Although, like many scholars and political observers, we were cautious about embracing Francis Fukuyama’s claim about the “end of history”, we nonetheless believed that democratization was underway. At the same time, it was already clear that what is generally described as the post-Soviet transformation differed significantly from what had taken place in Central Europe, and that the region still faced its own set of challenges.

Today, in the autumn of 2026, we can see that such linear thinking is no longer applicable. Political developments, as we have observed them in recent years, do not appear to be taking us towards greater freedom or economic prosperity. Across Europe, we are hearing more and more voices rejecting the idea of European unity, opposing support for Ukraine and openly calling for a reset with Russia. We are worried about the consequences of such rhetoric should it gain the support of a significant number of Europeans. Our illustrator, Andrzej Zaręba, who has created our covers throughout these years, has expressed similar concerns. We encourage you to take a close look at his drawings, which we regard not only as satirical interpretations of the world around us, but also as warnings.

When we established this magazine, we promised that we would bring you stories from Eastern Europe and provide insightful analysis of the region. Thus, while this issue naturally reflects on the last 15 years of our existence and the changes that have taken place during this period, we also look at new developments and offer interpretations from our authors. These include two articles on the current situation in Moldova, which, increasingly under pressure from Russia, is searching for ways to preserve and protect its statehood; a reflective piece on the need for reconciliation among Belarusians; stories about the changing Polish diaspora in the United Kingdom; and much more.

We conclude this issue with the republication of an essay by the late Martin Pollack, the Austrian writer and translator. He wrote this text for our very first issue in 2011. We invite you to read it again and consider how much has changed (or not) since then.

Contents

A changing region in a changing world

The story that is still being written Adam Reichardt and Iwona Reichardt
Ghosts from the riverbed: Europe’s new divides Vesna Goldsworthy
Is Europe divided again? Jan Zielonka
The new Central Europe Pavel Havlíček
From a post-Soviet state to a European power Anton Naichuk
Once Europe’s project, the Western Balkans is now its mirror Alexandra Karppi
Shifting geopolitical orientations in Central Asia Karolina Kluczewska
Chronicling the weaponization of information Maciej Makulski

Essays and analysis

How Russia turned terrorism into a tool of power Anastassiya Mahon
How Russia’s war changed the case for Romania–Moldova reunification Ana Pisarenco
Moldova’s European moment and the question of statehood Clara Sandgren
Is minimal reconciliation possible in Belarus? Alana Gebremariam
When history becomes policy Hanna Vasilevich

Interviews

We want to stay in this country A conversation with Vladan Đokić

Stories and ideas

Buns, bigos, and beauty. Polish success stories in post-Brexit Britain Ottilie Tabberer
How one concert united Russian-speaking diasporas and homelands in Istanbul Alexander Neuman
How Russia is driving Ukrainians out of occupied territories Aleksander Palikot
Narva memoir Nikodem Szczygłowski

Art, culture and society 

Contemporary artists rewriting the story of Central and Eastern Europe Zula Rabikowska
A small theatre that does not act so small Kushane Chobanyan

History and memory

What kind of history does Europe need? Georges Mink
Freedom on the airwaves Piotr Leszczyński
A forgotten hussar James Blake Wiener

From the archive

Where East meets West Martin Pollack