Full Democracies

Full Democracies are nations where civil liberties and fundamental political freedoms are not only respected but also reinforced by a political culture conducive to the thriving of democratic principles. These nations have a valid system of governmental checks and balances, an independent judiciary whose decisions are enforced, governments that function adequately, and diverse and independent media. These nations have only limited problems in democratic functioning.

Western Aligned-Democracies

Albania

1. Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS)

Belgium

1. International Crisis Group (ICG)
2. EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations  
3. Bruegel  
4. European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE)
5. Security and Defence Agenda (SDA)  
6. Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)  
7. German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF)  
8. Eurasia Council on Foreign Affairs  

Czech Republic

Austria

1. International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

Belgium

1. Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)  

Denmark

1. Copenhagen Consensus Center (CCC)
2. Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS)

France

1. Institute du développement durable et relations internationales (IDDRI)   

Germany

UNITED STATES

Defense Budget: $ 770 billion

Total Military Personnel (est): 1,832,000 (Active 1,390,000, Reserve 442,000)

Land Forces

1. Tanks: 6,612
2. Armored Vehicles: 45,193
3. Self-Propelled Artillery: 1,498
4. Towed Artillery: 1,339
5. Rocket Projectors: 1,366

Aircraft Strength: 13,247

Source: ISW Institute for the Study of War

Russian President Vladimir Putin likely intends to annex occupied southern and eastern Ukraine directly into the Russian Federation in the coming months to consolidate his control over these territories and possibly deter Ukrainian counterattacks. The Kremlin likely plans to annex much of the Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russian forces- portions of Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts in the south and the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in the east that Russian forces and their proxies control.

Whether it’s from a mobile phone, tablet or smart TV, online digital consumption is increasing and becoming the default choice for accessing film, TV, music, books, software and games. However, with this increase and demand comes piracy and as broadband speeds become faster and more affordable, businesses from across the creative industries are seeing more content being pirated and illegally accessed online.

Source: Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

Sanctions and Export Control Restrictions for Entities and Individuals

Under U.S. sanctions laws and export control regulations, certain entities and individuals (both foreign and domestic) may be subject to trade sanctions, embargoes, and other restrictions on exports, re-exports, or transfers of U.S.-origin items.  In addition, certain countries may be subject to either comprehensive or targeted sanctions or export restrictions.

1. Higher energy prices and trade disruptions could destabilise EU firms already weakened by the pandemic.
2. Rising inflation could push more Europeans under the poverty line. Households will be hit differently across and within countries?
3. Real economic growth in the European Union is now expected to fall below 3% in 2022, down from the 4% estimated by the European Commission before the war. A recession could happen, and further trade disruptions or increased economic sanctions would increase the risk for the European economy. 

In 1988 I was the Secretary General of the Geneva-based International Committee Against Counterfeiting (COLC) headed by the former President of the Swiss Confederation to fight on an international level against all attacks on intellectual property rights, namely counterfeiting and unfair competition as well as influence international, intergovernmental or supranational organizations as well as government leaders on the need for increased protection and law enforcement. We did call on many governments in Europe and around the world.