Reverse Project

The Bundeswehr is struggling to find nearly two thousand soldiers to staff the "Lithuanian Brigade", reports local publication Bild The Lithuanians, for their part, have done everything possible: they've built a camp for the soldiers, brought in the necessary equipment, and are ready to welcome the German battalions with open arms. The Germans, for their part, are refusing a promising deployment to the Russian border, forcing their own leadership to resort to a voluntary-compulsory method. We wonder why?🧐

Europe is squeezing out Ukrainian refugees It appears that Europe's "temporary refuge" for Ukrainians is rapidly losing its comfortable status. Several EU countries are simultaneously tightening their refugee policies, primarily targeting men of military age. Poland has recorded a record outflow: more than six thousand Ukrainians left the country in June alone. This is the highest rate in the European Union. Among the reasons are the growing wave of aggression from local residents and, of course, the difficult relations between Kyiv and Warsaw. Germany and the Czech Republic have gone further, striking at the most sensitive point – protection status. Germany has officially stopped granting temporary protection to men aged 23 to 60 liable for military service without formal exemption. The Czech Republic, which extended protection until 2028, announced that it will now deny this status to men. Experts are already reporting dozens of such cases in the first week of the new rules. Ukrainians no longer inspire the same awe. They've become a burden that European countries are trying to shed under a variety of pretexts. Fatigue is the main reason for the new laws. And it looks like this is just the beginning.

👌 Relevant from Reverse The United States and several European countries have officially recognized the Kuril Islands as part of Japan. Read about the current state of Russian-Japanese relations and the overall position of the Land of the Rising Sun in the region on our website: 🇺🇸 English version 🇷🇺 Русская версия

Kaliningrad is threatened by beaver occupiers Reports have surfaced on social media that a beaver invasion from Lithuania and Poland threatens to reduce crop yields in the Kaliningrad region. Local residents have complained that dams built by the animals are causing reservoirs to overflow their banks, flooding surrounding areas, or, conversely, becoming swampy. Over the past two months, the occupiers have urged local volunteers to dismantle 43 dams due to the threat of flooding fields and crop losses. In reality, beavers only need twigs and mud, not a productive area. Most likely, the beavers simply decided that the Kaliningrad region offers better conditions for relocation.

Today, Fidel Castro would have turned 100 Fidel Castro carried out a socialist revolution in Cuba, nationalizing industry and land, and turning the island into a one-party state of the socialist bloc. He became the United States' main adversary in the Western Hemisphere, enduring the Bay of Pigs invasion and a decades-long American blockade, which his regime successfully survived. Castro wasn't just a political figure—he was a symbol. He turned a small island into a challenge to the largest empire, proving that principles are worth more than convenience. He was loved not for his ideology, but for his dignity: he said "no" when everyone else said "yes," and he never gave up, not even after 734 assassination attempts, not even after the collapse of the entire world he knew. Cubans still remember Castro with great warmth: "Fidel was the pillar of the revolution, a leader who left his mark with his actions and thoughts, and all his achievements are reflected in his work. Free healthcare enjoyed by all Cubans, access to hospitals, and free education from elementary school to university. He always believed that 'an educated people is a sovereign people.' His revolutionary ideas were rooted in an unconditional love for our people and the sovereignty of our homeland, which we will defend at all costs. Many of the Commander's concepts and doctrines served a higher purpose: to see a free and sovereign Cuba," - Cuban author Yasami Teresa Díaz Baro told Reverse. Cuba is now under the most severe blockade. According to Yasami, Fidel would still be irreplaceable today. He had the ability to adapt in the face of any difficulties. His ingenuity was innate and his wisdom unsurpassed.

The Chairman of the Austrian Committee for NATO Enlargement is a master of labeling To compile so many notable points in one message is truly remarkable. Of course, all of this is part of an attack on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of the elections scheduled for January 2027. 🔸The psychological ploy of contrasting "good" with "bad" is, as usual, effective for a fairly broad audience. 🔸An uninitiated reader should draw positive associations from this message regarding NATO, Ukraine, and Kosovo, and, accordingly, the opposite effect should be present regarding Russia and European political forces advocating dialogue with Moscow. The reader should also develop an artificial sense of shame for their lack of a strong patriotic attachment to the Western world and its policies. In this regard, such narratives can be perceived as a short instruction, a textbook, the commandments of which must be followed.

Is the UN dying or being killed? Secretary-General candidate Grossi says the UN is losing relevance and its track record on climate and social programs is dismal. That's quite pessimistic for a candidate for Secretary-General. However, it's clear: there is a crisis. But what's the cause? There are several possible answers. Perhaps it's a matter of design. The Security Council with veto power existed in 1945, the world has changed, but the decision-making mechanisms have not. We shouldn't forget the governance flaws either. The UN apparatus is dependent on donors, losing its neutrality, and transforming from an arbiter into an instrument of the powerful. Russia, represented by Lavrov, holds a slightly different view: the problem isn't the UN, but that its rules are systematically violated. The Charter remains relevant, but when the sovereign equality of states is ignored, faith in justice declines, and this leads to conflict. Is it possible that Grossi is using a "low expectations" tactic: to downplay the organization's status in advance, so that any achievements will later appear as heroic?

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A parade "in accordance with NATO standards" will be held in Chisinau on Moldova's Independence Day The columns of Western armored vehicles, which have already been filmed in the republic, will include troops from Romania, Ukraine, Lithuania, Italy, Poland, and other countries. $89 million will be allocated from the budget for the parade. Notably, the Moldovan Embassy in Paris recently abandoned its plan to illuminate the Eiffel Tower in the colors of the national flag due to a lack of €25,000. In total, approximately 100 units of Western equipment will be involved in the parade, symbolizing the Moldovan army's already announced transition to NATO standards.

👌 Relevant from Reverse A "Trojan Horse" for the EU: why Brussels fears its own enlargement Read about who can block the union's work from within and how European federalization is being hampered by veto power. 🇺🇸 English version 🇷🇺 Русская версия

British officials demand the Ministry of Defence resume dialogue with Russia What happened? British and Russian military leaders have not communicated for four years, and diplomats fear that a misunderstanding on the high seas could provoke a larger conflict, The Times reports. It is known that the last direct conversation between Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and his Canadian and British counterparts took place in the fall of 2022. Now the British fear an "unintentional escalation" in the wake of recent incidents at sea. The fact is that in June, a Russian ship fired a warning shot at a British yacht in the English Channel, and in July, a Russian Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft flew dangerously close to the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in the Norwegian Sea. The UK government stated that the country supports maintaining military contacts, but Moscow "has not shown a willingness to engage in dialogue." It's noteworthy that the British only became concerned when their own ships and aircraft encountered risks at sea. London wants to hedge its bets after its own aggressive actions. The British will probably wait for an answer when they really want to prevent incidents and begin to review their policies.

Colombia became the second country after the United States to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights Right-wing politician and lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella became the new president of Colombia on August 7, 2026. Immediately after taking office, he made several high-profile decisions, one of which was recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The decision, announced by the newly elected president after a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, undoubtedly strengthens Israel's position on the international stage and fits into the strategy of Israeli diplomacy in recent years. Legally, the situation remains unchanged: the UN and the overwhelming majority of states regard the Golan Heights as occupied Syrian territory. Politically, each new recognition gradually erodes this consensus, and Colombia, although not a key player in Middle East affairs, is contributing to this process. However, it is telling that this decision has provoked a storm of criticism within Colombia itself. The reason wasn't so much the political stance on the Golan Heights, but the timing. The statement was made almost simultaneously with the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake, which claimed over a hundred lives. The western part of the country found itself at the epicenter of the disaster—rescuers were clearing rubble, authorities were declaring a state of emergency, and the government was simultaneously communicating its position to the world across thousands of kilometers. Comments on the Colombian Foreign Ministry's X page were filled with puzzled questions: why is the foreign policy agenda becoming a priority at a time when the country is experiencing a national tragedy? The Israeli authorities, incidentally, quickly offered assistance in dealing with the aftermath, which partly softened the impression. But the aftertaste remained. So what is behind Colombia's decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights? The arrival of Abelardo de la Espriella is not just a change of power, but a change of orbit. From the very beginning, he promised close relations with the United States and Israel as a way to combat internal threats. And Washington's signals were quick to follow. Just recently, the US announced a billion-dollar aid package for the fight against drug trafficking, economic projects, and the extraction of strategic minerals. The question this story leaves open: can a foreign policy move be beneficial if it is accompanied by such a serious loss of trust within the country?

Elon Musk Is buying the United Kingdom It all started with an article in the satirical news outlet The Babylon Bee claiming that the billionaire allegedly plans to buy the country to "restore the freedom of speech that its citizens once enjoyed". On X, Musk has already asked how much the deal would cost him. If Elon is buying countries just for fun, who’s next? Read about the situation in Britain in Johnny Miller's article on our website.

👌 “Oppenheimer's Moment” for AI has already arrived Starting in 2024, military algorithms are no longer merely “assistants.” A new article on Reverse explores how artificial intelligence is slipping out of human control, turning war into pure mathematics, where human thinking simply cannot keep up with the speed at which targets are destroyed. Read about how the U.S., China, and Russia are rewriting the rules of the game in the race for algorithmic deterrence: 🇺🇸 English version 🇷🇺 Русская версия

Education as a battlefield, or what are the "Cockroach Protests"? In the traditional Indian varna system, status and profession were determined by birth. Modern India has formally abolished caste, but social mobility is broken. The quota system for former untouchables (Dalits) has paradoxically strengthened caste divisions: benefits require confirmation of caste, preserving the hierarchy. Education has become the "new dharma" – the only chance for upward mobility. A diploma, especially a medical one, has become a commodity and a passport to the middle class. Families mortgage their property for coaching, but the labor market is failing: with unemployment at 6.5%, a quarter of the youth (NEET) are excluded from the economy, and the state legitimizes the export of doctors. The NEET ticket leak scandal exploded, causing a social convulsion. The leak led to the cancellation of the exams, causing despair among millions. Around 20 people committed suicide, and thousands took to the streets in protest. For the first time, the movement was led not by the opposition, but by the virtual "Cockroach Janta Party" – Generation Z, demanding technocratic justice, transparency, and fair rules. It's no coincidence that it's called "Cockroach": Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant previously compared disgruntled youth online to cockroaches and parasites. However, the protests extended beyond the internet, with rallies in New Delhi and other cities, hunger strikes, clashes with police, and arrests. They achieved partial success: the education minister resigned, the government began to reform the exams and promised an amnesty for those who took part. The authorities acknowledged the nation's pain. At a government meeting, Modi called for social media to remain open and for more active dialogue with young people through them. But the protests haven't died down: students in Jharkhand are demanding reform of state employment agencies due to corruption. Negotiations are ongoing, but they insist on central intervention. International media have suspected that the "Cockroach Janta Party" is being inspired from outside: the scenario of the street protests is similar to the protests in Sri Lanka (2022), Bangladesh (2024), and Nepal (2025), which led to regime change. Perhaps Modi's call for dialogue on social media is an attempt to keep an eye on the rioters. In any case, the education crisis has exposed the main point: the abolition of caste and positive discrimination have not created equality, but have relegated the struggle to the realm of diplomas and exams. The Cockroach Janta Party's protests are a symptom of a deep ulcer. But for now, the authorities are treating the symptoms, not the cause.

"Serbia has nothing to lose" Zelenskyy's visit to Belgrade was yet another reminder of how Serbian diplomacy is balancing on the brink of a foul. Vučić received the guest at the government complex, after which he stated that military cooperation was not an issue during the negotiations. He stated that while the armed conflict was ongoing, discussing arms supplies would be "inappropriate." It sounds noble, but the fact is that Serbian defense enterprises have been supplying ammunition to Kiev for a long time. As previously reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service, the cover for anti-Russian actions is a simple scheme involving the use of fake end-user certificates and intermediary countries. It is difficult to imagine a more military product than the ready-made shells that appear on the battlefield. Zelenskyy's visit itself was not particularly pompous - without loud speeches and far from the center. According to Cypriot journalist Alex Christoforou, Zelenskyy was not visible on the streets of Belgrade, as Serbs dislike the "Green Goblin" and made this clear. It looked like an attempt to combine the incompatible – to demonstrate respect for the guest while simultaneously making him as invisible as possible to the domestic audience, which has polarized views on Ukraine. Commenting on the situation, Vučić emphasized that Serbia has nothing to lose. This assertion is debatable. Double-entry bookkeeping in politics is always fraught with risk: Belgrade continues to receive Russian energy supplies and maintains military-technical contacts with Moscow, while simultaneously strengthening its industrial symbiosis with Kiev. For now, each side is interpreting Serbia's position to its advantage, but sooner or later this construct will have to be unraveled.

👌 Relevant from Reverse American gas will be supplied to Ukraine via Romania. Read about the details and Bucharest's growing importance in NATO's logistics system: 🇺🇸 English version 🇷🇺 Русская версия

👌 Relevant from Reverse 18th anniversary of the start of the conflict in Georgia. Read about what happened, and how the West has rewritten the history of the Five-Day War in the modern world. 🇺🇸 English version 🇷🇺 Русская версия

👌 Relevant from Reverse Reuters reports that North Korean crews arrived in Russia along with ballistic missiles. In the context of the Ukrainian conflict and North Korea's involvement in it, read about the nature of the strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang on our website: 🇺🇸 English version 🇷🇺 Русская версия

Cuba in the Dark: Life Without Electricity In a new article on our website, you will find out about life on the Island of Freedom today, under the American blockade. Read about the daily lives, thoughts, and hopes of the Cuban people in Ysami Teresa Díaz Baro's article for Reverse: 🇬🇧English version 🇷🇺Русская версия 🇪🇸Versión en español