World editor

Elena Marku

Elena tracks how international negotiations become domestic politics, from sanctions and security funding to climate finance and regional power blocs.

Beat: Diplomacy, sanctions, security, and global institutions
Base: Brussels
Archive: 5 stories

A red and white train passing an urban station

World

Coastal states push for a climate-loss court

A new regional proposal would give smaller countries a standing forum for claims tied to storms, relocation, and vanished tax bases.

By Elena MarkuJul 21, 2026 / 7 min

A blue bus traveling through a city street

World

Border regions demand a voice in customs reform

Mayors and logistics unions want a formal seat in negotiations usually dominated by national ministries and large exporters.

Elena MarkuJul 15, 2026 / 6 min

A wall of illuminated digital security displays

World

Small democracies build a joint election defense network

A shared monitoring center will let election agencies compare threats without surrendering control of voter data.

Elena MarkuJul 9, 2026 / 7 min

A detailed circuit board photographed from above

World

Aid agencies redesign contracts around local suppliers

Relief budgets are shifting toward smaller regional vendors, with new safeguards meant to prevent speed from weakening oversight.

Elena MarkuJul 3, 2026 / 6 min

Abstract purple and blue lights suggesting a network

World

Diplomats revive city-to-city channels after stalled talks

Municipal networks are keeping cooperation alive on water, transit, and universities while national negotiations remain frozen.

Elena MarkuJun 27, 2026 / 5 min

Elena Marku

Coastal states push for a climate-loss court

Border regions demand a voice in customs reform

Small democracies build a joint election defense network

Aid agencies redesign contracts around local suppliers

Diplomats revive city-to-city channels after stalled talks

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