Crimea is one thing, eastern Ukraine is quite another. And we're a long way off having to worry about Poland and the Baltic states.
Category: War and peace
Small sighs of relief in Ukraine
Tensions in Ukraine have abated slightly, with the prospects for Russian intervention beyond Crimea seen to have lessened. But there's still scope for things to go wrong, and plenty of argument about who's to blame for them getting this bad.
What to do about Crimea?
Pro-Russian elements have taken up strategic positions in Crimea, but it's not yet clear if the momentum is there for them to attempt secession – or how much Russia will back them if they do.
What is Plan B for Putin?
Revolution in Kiev has been a major defeat for Russia's president. What might he be able to salvage from the wreckage?
Protests in a divided Bosnia
Recent protests in Bosnia & Herzegovina could be a sign of that country overcoming its ethnic divisions. Or they might not.
Death of a warmaker
Ariel Sharon ended his active career by apparently repudiating the things he had previously been most known for. Did he really mean it?
Holiday reading on Middle East peace
Just as the Palestinians indicate some new flexibility about the direction of Mid-East peace talks, a study on public opinion shows both sides ready for serious compromise.
Dealing with coup leaders – a lesson from Mali
Mali's government unexpectedly sends armed soldiers to arrest a former coup leader, something that probably should happen more often.
It’s a deal!
At last, an Iranian nuclear deal. It looks as if western and Iranian objectives were not as different as some people argued.
Why does a country want discontented citizens?
Local elections in Kosovo have demonstrated what should have been obvious already: that the Serbs of the country's north are not going to settle for anything less than being allowed to rejoin Serbia.
The World is Not Enough 