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1. The US's tougher stance on multilateral formats

Author:
Szymon Zaręba
Publication Date:
03-2027
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM)
Abstract:
The administration of US President Donald Trump will seek to exert greater influence over processes within the UN, whilst reducing its involvement in the activities of several international organisations (IOs) which it considers less important. The reduction in funding for various formats will increase pressure on Poland and like-minded states to increase their contributions towards their maintenance.
Topic:
International Organization, United Nations, Multilateralism, and Donald Trump
Political Geography:
Poland, North America, and United States of America

2. China's 2026-2030 Five-Year Plan: Continuing the Economic Model and Increasing Self-Reliance

Author:
Marcin Przychodniak
Publication Date:
04-2026
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM)
Abstract:
The latest five-year plan, adopted in March this year by the Chinese parliament, identifies industrial modernisation and the pursuit of technological independence as key to China’s economic development. It mentions increased consumption and improved social conditions, but these are not priorities. The development of modern industries is intended to increase the competitiveness of Chinese companies relative to entities from developed countries, including Poland. The direction outlined by the plan is another argument for strengthening the protection of the EU single market and supporting an active EU industrial policy.
Topic:
Economics, European Union, Economic Development, Modernization, Industry, and Competition
Political Geography:
China, Europe, Asia, and Poland

3. The EU and Australia strengthen trade and security partnership

Author:
Patryk Kugiel
Publication Date:
04-2026
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM)
Abstract:
On 24 March, during a visit to Australia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement and the establishment of a Security and Defence Partnership. These agreements are intended to help both sides diversify their trade, reducing dependence on China, whilst increasing resilience to US political and economic pressure. It also presents an opportunity for Poland to intensify its cooperation with Australia.
Topic:
European Union, Partnerships, Free Trade, Trade, and European Commission
Political Geography:
China, Europe, Poland, and Australia

4. Lee Jae-myung's Inter-Korean Policy

Author:
Oskar Pietrewicz
Publication Date:
01-2026
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM)
Abstract:
South Korea’s attempts to improve relations with North Korea have been unsuccessful. Although this is mainly due to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) reluctance to resume contacts with the Republic of Korea (ROK), an additional problem has been caused by the inconsistent actions of President Lee Jae-myung’s administration, which has been in office since June last year. The administration’s goal of ‘peaceful coexistence’ effectively means accepting reunification as unlikely, a prospect that is losing support in South Korean society. To avoid an escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea could seek to cooperate with countries that regularly engage with the DPRK, such as Poland.
Topic:
Conflict Prevention, Foreign Policy, International Cooperation, and Bilateral Relations
Political Geography:
Asia, South Korea, North Korea, and Poland

5. From Digitalization to Forest Pedagogy: Innovative Educational Pathways for Sustainable Development in Poland

Author:
Szymon Godawa
Publication Date:
05-2026
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:
Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:
Education for sustainable development (ESD) requires new forms of teacher preparation that combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience. The aim of this study was to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of workshop-based classes designed to develop micro-competences – understood here as narrowly defined, measurable components of professional competences that can be certified through micro-credentials in accordance with European Commission guidelines (2022). The research was qualitative in nature and was conducted within the interpretive paradigm. Participant observation and document analysis were applied, including thematic analysis of didactic commentaries following Braun & Clarke’s (2006) procedure. The study involved 70 fifth-year students of preschool and early school pedagogy, who participated in 15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of exercises dedicated to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda. The results show that students significantly developed social competences (teamwork, empathy, communication), the ability to integrate theory with practice, and critical thinking regarding socio-ecological challenges. They demonstrated high readiness to implement educational innovations and to apply the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). However, deficiencies were observed in entrepreneurial competences, particularly in planning and initiating micro-enterprises, which indicates the need to strengthen economic and career education in teacher training. These findings confirm that well-structured, experiential ESD activities are an effective means of preparing future teachers for the challenges of the 21st century. They also highlight the need to supplement curricula with elements developing entrepreneurial and systemic thinking, which are crucial for building ecological social capital and promoting lifelong learning.
Topic:
Education, Pedagogy, Innovation, Digitalization, Sustainable Development, Credentials, and Experiential Learning
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

6. Resilience and Cross-Border Cooperation in Cultural Heritage Protection: The Lublin Triangle’s Response to Ukraine’s Cultural Crisis

Author:
Elżbieta Olzacka and Katarzyna Pasternak
Publication Date:
03-2026
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:
Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:
The article examines how Poland and Lithuania supported Ukraine’s cultural heritage during Russia’s full scale invasion and clarifies the Lublin Triangle’s primarily political, solidarity building function rather than an operational delivery role. Drawing on qualitative analysis of official documents, institutional reports, public communications, and stakeholder interviews, it evaluates cultural sector responses in 2022–2023 with attention to delivery capacity, coordination, and sustainability. The study finds that targeted aid to museums, archives, and memory institutions was provided chiefly through bilateral and institution to institution mechanisms, while the Lublin Triangle consolidated political messaging without generating rapid tools for cultural protection. Across cases, core contribution areas included logistics (protective materials and transport), training (emergency safeguarding and evacuation), documentation (damage assessment and digitization), and international advocacy (UNESCO aligned actions and anti trafficking guidance). The analysis underscores the need to institutionalize hybrid, apolitical arrangements that couple governmental legitimacy with the flexibility and resilience of civil society networks, mitigating vulnerability to political cycles and sustaining cultural heritage protection under wartime conditions.
Topic:
Museums, Resilience, Heritage, Cooperation, Protection, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:
Europe, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Lublin Triangle

7. Necessary Neighbors: Poland and Ukraine Must Stabilize Their Strained Partnership

Author:
Yuliia Korotia
Publication Date:
01-2026
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS)
Abstract:
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Polish-Ukrainian relations have moved from a phase of exceptional solidarity to one of mounting tension and deepening structural strain. What initially seemed to be a long-term strategic partnership grounded in shared security interests has evolved into a more fragmented and fragile, at times almost hostile, relationship. This shift, visible across political, economic, and social dimensions, risks undermining not only bilateral cooperation but also the broader foundations of regional stability at a moment of ongoing war, strategic uncertainty in Europe, and a potentially antagonistic transatlantic relationship. If Poland and Ukraine fail to adopt a more realistic, constructive, and mutually attentive approach to the partnership, their cooperation will weaken in ways that directly affect military logistics, EU cohesion, regional resilience, and resistance to hybrid threats. Understanding how the relationship has changed, and what deeper dynamics are driving this, is essential for assessing the risks ahead and identifying pathways to improve the relationship.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Bilateral Relations, European Union, Russia-Ukraine War, and Strategic Partnerships
Political Geography:
Europe, Ukraine, and Poland

8. Polish Presidency of the Council - A paradigm shift in Poland's European policy

Author:
Piotr Buras and Michał Matlak
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:
Poland is holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2025. After a controversial Hungarian presidency and political turbulence in France and Germany, European public opinion is looking to Poland, where an openly Eurosceptic government was ousted in the 2023 elections. This change has come at a time when the European Union is facing major existential challenges, in particular with the war in Ukraine, which are especially resonant in Poland. The hopes pinned on Poland are as much a reflection of the impression of a leadership vacuum in Europe that Warsaw - who else at the moment? - could fill, as well as the country's growing economic and geopolitical position after two decades of EU membership.
Topic:
Public Opinion, European Union, Geopolitics, and Regional Politics
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

9. What future for rule of law protection? Towards a more effective use of the EU’s toolbox under the vdL 2.0 Commission

Author:
Maria Skóra
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
European Policy Centre (EPC)
Abstract:
Threats to the rule of law in the EU persist. Halting rule of law erosion in Poland has brought only temporary relief. Continued backsliding in Hungary and recent setbacks in Slovakia pose a threat to European integration and the EU’s legal order. Moreover, illiberal Eurosceptics are also on the rise in other countries, like Italy, Germany, France. Given the potential EU enlargement and the urgent reset of EU’s security and defence architecture, next to defending democracy, it is also crucial to continue strengthening the rule of law within the EU. Faced by the above-mentioned dire developments, the first von der Leyen Commission (2019-2024) placed the rule of law in the spotlight, developing a rule of law toolbox consisting of monitoring and corrective tools. The second von der Leyen Commission (2024-2029) vowed to take this matter seriously, making the strategic decision to continue tackling rule of law erosion by applying financial pressure, in particular: the instruments for protecting the EU budget. This Policy Brief looks at the future of rule of law protection under the vdL 2.0 Commission. It takes stock of the past failures and achievements, identifying paths towards a more effective use of the existing EU’s toolbox. It advocates for further development of financial conditionality, and making it a standard practice as well as building solid causal links between conditionality and the existing monitoring tools in order to avoid accusations of its arbitrary and politicised use. Consistency should become a guiding principle to foster the EU’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Topic:
Governance, Reform, European Union, Rule of Law, European Commission, and Regional Politics
Political Geography:
Europe, Poland, and Hungary

10. From Wałęsa to Rivlin: An Overview of Challenges and Controversies in Polish-Israeli Relations in the Post-Cold War Period Within a Bi – and Multilateral Dimension

Author:
Justyna Łapaj-Kucharska
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
The centuries-long coexistence of the Polish and Jewish nations gives Polish-Israeli relations specificity and unique character. One can state that there is an emotional bond between these nations, which shaped interstate relations in the post-Cold War period, simultaneously facilitating and hindering their progress. The article reviews the most critical challenges and controversies surrounding building state relations between Poland and Israel after the Cold War. It also analyzed how selected historical events related to the coexistence of the Polish and Jewish nations influenced later Polish-Israeli relations. The work summary included recommendations for further actions to develop interstate relations further. The present research uses investigative methods and techniques in the field of social sciences, such as documentary analysis and review of official statements from politicians, analysis of primary literary sources, the decisional method, secondary analysis of quantitative research, and deduction. Due to the formal constraints of this article, the author has selected the issues that have emerged in Polish-Israeli dialogue within a state context, emphasizing political relations.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Bilateral Relations, and Post-Cold War
Political Geography:
Europe, Middle East, Israel, Poland, and Palestine

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