Europe’s Dangerous Hinterlands

Europe’s eastern and south-eastern borderlands are once again moving to the centre of global politics. From the Balkans and Moldova to Georgia and Armenia, unresolved territorial disputes, competing nationalisms and the struggle between regional and global powers are reshaping a region that has repeatedly been at the centre of European conflict. As old alliances shift and new ones emerge, why have so many of these disputes survived the end of the Cold War, and what is driving their resurgence?

These are places often treated as Europe’s periphery. Yet history suggests otherwise. The Balkans helped ignite the First World War, while the territorial settlements and competing ambitions that followed shaped the path towards the Second.

With Georgia facing political turmoil, Armenia reorienting away from Moscow, Moldova vulnerable to pressure through Transnistria, and disputes over borders, identity and sovereignty continuing across the Balkans, could instability on Europe’s margins once again have consequences far beyond the region?

Event Schedule

6:15pm: Pre-event socialising and networking
A cash bar will be available for refreshments.

6:30pm: Event begins

7:30pm: Event ends

Speakers

Hannah Lucinda Smith is a journalist and author who has written for The Times, The Economist, Monocle and others. Previously based in Istanbul, she has reported extensively from the Middle East, Balkans and former Soviet Union, and is the author of three books. Her latest, Hinterlands, is an exploration of Europe’s reigniting border disputes.

Chris Morris is Chief Executive of Full Fact and a former senior BBC foreign correspondent. During more than two decades with the BBC, he reported from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the United States. He later founded and led BBC Reality Check, the broadcaster’s fact-checking service, covering Brexit, UK and US elections and the Covid-19 pandemic. He became Chief Executive of Full Fact in 2023.