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11. Poland at a Crossroads? Strategic Choices Amid Shifting Transatlantic Security Dynamics

Author:
Marcin Fatalski and Wojciech Michnik
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
LSE IDEAS
Abstract:
Poland stands at a pivotal moment, navigating domestic political transitions while adapting to profound changes in the transatlantic security landscape. The outcome of key elections (presidential in 2025 and parliamentary in 2027) will shape the country’s strategic direction, as NATO and the EU confront some of the most significant challenges in their history. A second Trump presidency marks a turning point for European security, amplifying EU-sceptical forces and reshaping the regional balance of power. This Strategic Update examines the key domestic and international factors influencing Poland’s political and strategic decision-making, and Poland’s role in the evolving European security architecture – especially in times of the resurgent populist sentiments on both sides of the Atlantic and increasingly aggressive behaviour of the Russian Federation.
Topic:
Security, NATO, European Union, and Transatlantic Relations
Political Geography:
Eastern Europe and Poland

12. Collaboration among NATO’s defence innovators: Lessons from Poland

Author:
Ryan Atkinson
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is responding to security challenges arising from emerging technologies by leveraging national and multilateral innovation networks to strengthen collective defence and accelerate technological adaptation. NATO partnerships provide a research scope encompassing key policy developments on specific technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomy, quantum, and data. Poland’s innovation ecosystem is analysed to highlight how public–private partnerships with NATO promote alliance-wide strategic objectives aligned with national innovation networks. This comparative case study analyses NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and the national innovation networks of allies, as demonstrated by the case of Poland. Data was gathered from policy documents, industry reports, and other publicly available sources. Poland’s proactive innovation strategy is a model for utilising local strengths to tackle global security concerns and test facilities and accelerator programmes under NATO DIANA. Poland’s innovation model provides a significant case study that offers valuable insights for future research and development. Combating the challenges posed by evolving technologies requires adaptable security measures, demonstrated by various examples from Poland’s local accelerators and test centres. NATO’s approach, involving industry partnerships and defence innovation, provides a model for other allies. The case of innovation in Poland provides a generalisable methodology for studying other national approaches to innovation aligned with the NATO accelerators.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, NATO, Science and Technology, and Innovation
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

13. Energy Derussification of Poland's Visegrad Partners

Author:
Łukasz Ogrodnik and Tymon Pastucha
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM)
Abstract:
While Czechia has moved away from importing Russian energy resources, Hungary and Slovakia remain the most dependent EU countries. As a result of EU and US sanctions against Russia, both countries will have to make efforts to reduce this dependence. This prospect represents an opportunity for Poland to deepen cooperation in its role as a provider of energy security.
Topic:
Sanctions, European Union, Visegrad Group, Energy, and Energy Security
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, United States of America, and Czechia

14. The new German government: a European turning point?

Author:
Stefan Seidendorf
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:
Many observers believe that the new German government will lead to a ‘new start’ for Europe and a ‘new dynamic’ for the ‘Franco-German engine’. During the election campaign, in the coalition agreement and since taking office, those involved have developed and aggressively promoted corresponding policy points. To achieve Europe's ability to take action, they are relying heavily on initiatives by member states, in particular Franco-German and Franco-German-Polish cooperation. The new federal government is certainly willing to provide the necessary instruments and resources to meet the current challenges, but it is not yet clear whether this will strengthen the European Union, for example through joint financing instruments. The question remains as to whether the desired goals can be achieved, especially given the unstable domestic political situation in Germany and other EU member states.
Topic:
European Union, Finance, Domestic Politics, and Regional Politics
Political Geography:
Europe, France, Poland, and Germany

15. Economic Interactions and Competitiveness Evaluation: A Study of Romania-Poland Bilateral Relations

Author:
Oleksandra Struk
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:
Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:
The research aims to evaluate competitiveness of Romania and Poland, focusing on their bilateral relations. The primary research problem revolves around understanding the dynamics and outcomes of economic cooperation between Romania and Poland, especially in the context of their systemic transformations and integration into the European Union. The main hypotheses are the following: (1) Economic cooperation between Romania and Poland has significantly evolved post-EU accession. (2) Bilateral trade and investment have played crucial roles in the economic growth of both countries. (3) Differences in economic policies and sectoral focuses impact the competitiveness of each nation. The study employs a combination of historical analysis, trade data examination, literature review, and competitiveness indices to evaluate the economic relations between the two countries. Key metrics include trade values, investment flows, and economic freedom indices. The author highlights the deep and evolving economic ties between Romania and Poland, underpinned by robust trade relations, significant investments, and shared regional cooperation goals. While the study shows differences in economic policies between Romania and Poland, it does not comprehensively analyze the specific policies and their direct impacts on competitiveness, which could be addressed in further studies.
Topic:
Bilateral Relations, Investment, Trade, Economic Cooperation, and Economic Freedom
Political Geography:
Europe, Poland, and Romania

16. The EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Treaty and the Perspectives for Polish Investment in Viet Nam

Author:
Dmytro Skrynka
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:
Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:
The article deals with the key changes in the treaty basis of the regime for Polish investment in Viet Nam, expected after the anticipated entry into force of the Investment Protection Agreement Between the European Union and Its Member States, of the One Part, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, of the Other Part (hereafter “EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Treaty” or “New Investment Treaty”). The article also includes a brief overview of the historical background of the investment relations in Poland and Viet Nam. Some of the key obligations of the parties to the New Investment Treaty are compared with the rules of the 1994 Agreement Between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Poland for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments. For example, the article focuses on the differences in the treaty provisions on the fair and equitable treatment, as well as on the inclusion in the New Investment Treaty of the procedures for the resolution of disputes between states and of the procedures for the investor-state dispute settlement. The article contains references to works of Vietnamese and Polish researchers, legislative acts of Viet Nam, international agreements and documents of international intergovernmental organizations.
Topic:
Treaties and Agreements, European Union, Investment, and Expropriation
Political Geography:
Europe, Poland, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia

17. Strategic Trade Diversification: Engagement of the Visegrad Group with the Western Balkans

Author:
Lubica Zubalova, Kristina Drienikova, and Nastasia Matusova
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:
Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:
The Visegrad Group countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia) and the Western Balkan countries share strong historical trade and cultural ties, and their trade relations are becoming increasingly significant in the context of geopolitical changes and economic transformations in the region. Recent trends indicate growing mutual trade, and analysis of the Trade Complementarity Index reveals high trade compatibility, confirming the potential for effective cooperation. The Trade Intensity Index also shows high values, particularly for Hungary. This paper evaluates trade exchanges and examines the intensity and compatibility of economic relations, with a focus on the Visegrad Group countries’ trade with Serbia, their key trade partner. The results suggest that enhanced cooperation between the regions could bring substantial economic benefits and strengthen regional stability and competitiveness.
Topic:
Regional Cooperation, International Affairs, Trade, Visegrad Group, and Regional Stability
Political Geography:
Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia, and Western Balkans

18. Prometheism: A Polish Covert Action Program

Author:
Philip Wasielewski
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)
Abstract:
Between World War I and II, Poland conducted a covert action program known as Prometheism to undermine the Soviet Union by supporting the national independence movements of non-Russian peoples within its borders.[1] Poland hoped this program could blunt Russian imperialism, then with a Communist veneer, by redirecting Moscow’s attention internally toward irredentism within its own borders. Prometheism had four dimensions: political, military, intelligence, and cultural/ educational. It supported governments in exile and émigré groups from states that had temporarily gained independence during the Russian Civil War only to lose it once the Bolsheviks reconquered much of the former Russian empire. The program created two secret armies of Ukrainians and Georgians in case the Soviet Union imploded or another world war broke out. To penetrate the veil of secrecy regarding the domestic situation in the Soviet Union, Poland used Promethean contacts to conduct intelligence operations, and the Soviets conducted their own intelligence activities to penetrate the program and assassinate key leaders. Prometheism included a massive covert influence campaign supported by journals, clubs, news outlets, and publishing houses to spread Promethean messages inside the Soviet Union and around the world. Prometheism failed to achieve Poland’s national security objectives, partly due to the massive Soviet police state apparatus and use of terror during Joseph Stalin’s era. However, its activities did help preserve the languages, literatures, and cultures of non-Russian nationalities during this period. When the Kremlin’s willingness to use repression and terror dissipated in the 1980s, what followed vindicated the Promethean vision as the Soviet empire broke apart into its basic ethno-national constituent parts and Poland and other satellites on its periphery regained their sovereignty.
Topic:
Intelligence, National Security, Sovereignty, History, and Soviet Union
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

19. Multi-Pole-arity: How Poland can help Europe think big on China

Author:
Alicja Bachulska
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
Abstract:
China’s strategic approach to its industrial policy—particularly its trade surplus and dominance in clean technologies—is a growing risk to Europe’s competitiveness and economic security. Like many other European states, Poland prefers to focus on the bilateral dimension of its relationship with China. But the scale of China’s economic threat means the EU’s only hope is to address it as a unified bloc. Poland should use its growing leadership role in the EU to help shift the bloc towards a more assertive China policy using the available tools. As it confronts the prospect of a trade war with the US, the EU cannot afford vulnerability to China. But first, Warsaw will need to recalibrate its own policies by grasping the realities of its trade relationship with China and assessing its vulnerabilities: investments, critical infrastructure and supply chains.
Topic:
Agriculture, Bilateral Relations, European Union, and Economy
Political Geography:
China, Europe, Asia, and Poland

20. Protecting Employee Privacy and Security in the Age of Digital Performance Monitoring: A Legal Comparative Analysis of Post-Communist Countries – Poland, Croatia, and the Republic of North Macedonia

Author:
Dorota Domalewska, Sanja Tišma, and Katerina Veljanovska Blazhevska
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
In the context of rapidly increasing digital performance monitoring in the workplace, concerns over employee privacy and ethical considerations arise. This tension between organizational control and employee privacy becomes especially complex in postcommunist societies like Poland, Croatia, and the Republic of North Macedonia, which have a history of state surveillance and control. Drawing on various academic sources and employing a doctrinal-legal method, this study examines how cultural, historical, and legal factors shape perceptions and protections of privacy. It also analyzes the legal frameworks of privacy rights in the workplace. The research reveals that post-communist legacies influence public attitudes towards digital privacy, which is reflected in a low interest in digital privacy in these countries and legislation that lags behind rapid technological advancements. Despite their EU-aligned legislation that provides guidelines for ethical data collection and surveillance, an ambivalent perception of privacy exists among citizens, influenced by their history of state surveillance and control. All three countries have specific legislations that encompass civil, criminal, administrative, and labor law to protect privacy in the workplace. The study concludes with policy recommendations, emphasizing the need for ongoing legislative scrutiny to strike a balance between privacy protection and a stable and secure work environment.
Topic:
Ethics, Privacy, Surveillance, Monitoring, Digital Performance, GDPR, and Post-Communism
Political Geography:
Europe, Poland, Croatia, and North Macedonia