Issue 1-2/2026: Europe in the new disorder
If the past year has shown us anything, it is that the world order many of us took for granted is no longer secure.
February 23, 2026 -
New Eastern Europe
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Issue 1-2 2026Magazine
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The basic rules and understandings that kept Europe stable, held the United States and Europe together, and guided cooperation between countries for decades are now being openly questioned, not only by ambitious powers like Russia and China, but increasingly by voices inside the West itself.
The belief that international law can keep power in check is now competing with a harsher view of the world – one in which strength decides what is right, big countries carve out zones of control, and powerful states impose their will on others. For Europe, this is not a distant or academic argument. It is a matter of survival. As our cover image suggests, Europa can no longer allow herself to be carried along by a raging bull. She must find a way to climb down – and learn to stand firmly on her own feet.
Thus, on the pages of this issue, we look at what this growing instability means for Europe. Is this really the breakdown of the security system that has protected the continent for decades, as Wojciech Michnik asks? Or are we facing something even more profound – a shift towards a more divided and unpredictable global landscape, as Andreas Umland suggests?
Our contributors examine the many fronts on which this struggle unfolds. Maria Domańska analyses how Russia has turned war into a national idea and reoriented its strategy towards Europe. Paul Bell looks at Europe’s psychological battlefield, where resilience and perception will be decisive to survive illiberal pressure coming from multiple directions. Isabelle de Pommereau explores Germany’s uneasy confrontation with rearmament and the revival of conscription debates. Justin Tomczyk investigates the ideological currents of the so-called “Dark Enlightenment” shaping parts of the emerging global elite. Together, these essays confront a pressing question: what kind of order is now taking shape, and what role will Europe play in it? Will the continent help define the rules and direction of the world that is emerging or will it be forced to adapt to choices made by others?
As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine takes place at the time of this publication, we also bear witness to the war itself. A special photo-report by award-winning photographer Wojciech Grzędziński captures the daily reality of Russia’s ongoing aggression and the endurance of Ukrainians who continue to resist a war that, in truth, began more than 12 years ago.
Finally, we are proud to mark an important milestone: New Eastern Europe turns 15 this year. For a decade and a half, we have sought to provide thoughtful, independent analysis of this region at a time when such clarity has never been more needed. We are deeply grateful to you, our readers, for your trust and support that have made this work possible. We hope that you will continue to help us continue this mission in the years ahead. Please support New Eastern Europe.
Contents
Europe adrift in the new world order
Towards a new world disorder? Andreas Umland
The collapse of the European security order Wojciech Michnik
The last frontier. Europe’s psychological war Paul Bell
When war becomes a national idea: Russia’s strategy towards Europe Maria Domańska
Never again meets a new war Isabelle De Pommereau
Latin Europe David Hallbeck
In the long shadow of Silicon Valley Justin Tomczyk
Essays and analysis
Ukraine’s post-war labour dilemma: Who will fill the jobs? Stanislav Storozhenko
The return of Siarhei Tsikhanouski and what it means for the Belarusian democratic forces Hanna Vasilevich
Punished for being abused: Belarusian controversy Nasta Zakharevich
Macedonians seek justice to heal Kočani’s wounds Jovan Gjorgovski
When comfort outweighs democracy Andrea Schmidt
Can a minority become a democratic test? Karolina Benedyk
Reimagining labour in the Eastern Partnership Mariami Paposhvili And Ana Diakonidze
Interviews
The post-war recovery of Ukraine needs to be green, just and European An interview with Valeriia Bondarieva
The future of war A conversation with Peter Warren Singer
Armenia needs to reclaim its bargaining power A conversation with Dr Eduard Abrahamyan
Stories and ideas
Hollowed out: the slow collapse of Georgia’s city of black gold Poppy Askham
Women of the quiet frontline: Four pastors in atheist Brandenburg Ulrike Butmaloiu
The challenge for Ukrainian veterans returning to civilian life Téo Manisier
Photo-report: Through the lens. Twelve years of war in Ukraine Text and Photos: Wojciech Grzędziński
On African university students in Poland. A response Christopher Garbowski
Art, culture and society
Relabelling paintings, reclaiming history Cristina Coellen
Double exclusion. How is it to be a queer migrant from Eastern Europe in Poland today? Sviataslaŭ Kruk
History and memory
Prussia’s forgotten heritage Piotr Leszczyński
Is the past for sale? Giorgia Maurovich
