The Russian invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the importance of Poland as a strategic ally for the United States and NATO. While Warsaw has been a steadfast partner for Western support of Ukraine, including serving as a logistical hub for the war effort as well as a haven for Ukrainian refugees, its domestic policies are seen as becoming less democratic. Since 2015, Poland’s conservative governing Law and Justice Party (PIS), along with its coalition partners, has eroded or challenged fundamental tenets of civil society, including attacks on judicial independence, freedom of the press, access to abortion, and rights of women, migrants, and the LGBTQ+ community. Strains between Warsaw and the European Union continue to grow, most recently over electoral policy reforms which appear to target the leader of the pro-democracy opposition. Recent parliamentary elections in Poland may determine whether the nation remains a democracy or follows the illiberal path of countries like Hungary and Turkey. How will the election results impact Poland’s role in NATO and the EU? And how will the United States – a historically strong ally – react?


"Sunrise Expedition" by Joseph McDade
Night on the Docks - Trumpet, Kevin MacLeod
CC BY 3.0,  http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...