Zuzana Čaputová will be the first woman to hold the presidency of the Slovak Republic. What factors propelled the rather untypical candidate's success?

The poisoning of former Russian double agent, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter, Yulia, stirred up much international controversy. Not only was the poisoning shocking because it occurred in the idyllic town of Salisbury, England, but also because a deadly nerve agent was used to carry out the attack. The British government accussed Russia of attempted murders, charges that Russian authorities vehemently deny.

The way the European Union (EU) responded to the refugee crisis evoked contradictory reactions from EU citizens. Many believe that the EU shot itself in the foot with its mishandling of the crisis and that in this way, it made a fertile ground for the rise of populist voices. Others on the contrary think that the EU policy has a lot of benefits.

Brexit, the migration crisis and increasing threat of terrorism have brought discussions about the future of the European Union to the forefront of political debates. Nation states or a federal Europe? Somehow we always find ourselves torn between the two. What are the arguments for and against the federation of European states?

The United Kingdom leaving the EU has unraveled to be one of the most burning issues of the Union, because this unprecedented phenomenon raises several questions: what effects will Brexit have on the EU’s foreign policy? How much will it change the Union’s priorities?

The 20th century brought China economic growth, so the East-Asian giant is now the second largest economy in the world after the United States. Is the policy of Western states appropriate regarding this potential partner and dangerous rival?

In 1945, Japan managed to bear the unbearable, and surrendered to the USA – thereby World War II came to an end also on the Pacific theatre. Following that, in 1946 the USA established a new Japanese Constitution in which the island state took on to distance itself from the use of military force. Thus, over the Cold War period and also after the collapse of the bipolar world order, the name “Japan” was no longer the equivalent of strict, military-like discipline, nor the fanaticism of the kamikazes. Japan became the land of peace, harmony, sakura blooming and the snow-capped Fuji – and from the end of the 20th century on also the synonym for high-technology and development. However, in 2015, Japan amended its Constitution, and thus the country can now have an army and deploy it also in other countries. What could be behind this step? What is the Japanese constitutional amendment: a logical answer to an altered geopolitical reality, or a first step towards aggressive militarism, bringing an end to an era of peace?

According to the Hungarian Government, the solution to European demographic problems lies in the provision of incentives for family creation, as opposed to supporting immigration. Opinions differ however on the effectiveness of Fidesz's numerous family policy measures. While some think that they do not provide a realistic solution to all challenges, others deem the measures the cornerstones of a harmonious society.

Multi-speed Europe refers to the concept that different member states of the European Union integrate at different levels and pace. The older members that are in the eurozone and the Schengen area represent the "core" while newcomers are on the "periphery". Would it be to Slovakia's benefit to seek a close cooperation with the EU core?

Since the beginning of the European migration crisis, one question has sparked tension within the public sphere: is this phenomenon linked to the spread of terrorism on the continent? Politicians, experts and civil organisations are all eager to give us answers to the emerging situation, these explanations however can often be conflicting.