The militarisation of patriotism
The number of uniformed classes, lyceums with military profile and defence groups have emerged in recent years. What is the reason? Polish government wants to use growing nationalistic energy
Proud and patriotic. Polish soldiers of 2018

Polish soldiers like to wear national symbols, such as the emblem and flag, in the form of tattoos. They do much more often than civilians. Such patriotic tattoos are supported by every second soldier, but only every fourth Pole.
Bloody amber

Every year, dozens of tons of illegal amber from Ukraine find their way into Poland. It is a business worth billions of dollars controlled by Ukrainian mafia. Without the precious raw material smuggled from across the eastern border, there would be no amber jewellery – Poland’s showcase product.
How Orban’s media empire is smearing Atlatszo

Vsquare founding member Atlatszo, a non-profit investigative journalism outlet became the latest target of government propaganda in Hungary
In Russia’s shadow, populists rise before the Latvian elections

Every European election these days starts with the same two questions. The first is obvious: who is going to win and form the government? And will Russia interfere as it did in the US presidential election?
Flight to anywhere

A company with ties to the Hungarian government which often flies Hungarian oligarchs by helicopter has recently co-founded a new company with Pennsylvania registered International Defense & Aerospace Group LLC (IDAG). IDAG sold helicopters to the Hungarian police in 2017 and one of its co-owners was involved in an infamous helicopter deal a year before.
Journalists have never been popular, because we hold up a mirror to people

It turns out that the Trump and Nixon White House are not that much different. Neither is their hatred towards journalists, says Len Downie Jr., former executive editor of The Washington Post. We sat down with him to talk about the evolution of investigative journalism.
The shady businesses and friendships of a Slovak leader of the Night Wolves

Dolna Krupa – a village near Trnava in Slovakia (about 60 kilometers from Bratislava) got into direct spotlight during this summer because of its new inhabitants. Pro-Putin motorcycle club the Night Wolves with their European “franchise” came to reside there in an old farm. They painted the buildings into camouflage colors, put up barbed wire […]