Michal Baranowski

1 Introduction Hybrid perovskites have emerged as a new class of materials with unique electronic properties, which are inherited from both their organic and inorganic constituents. The inorganic framework provides a basis for the semiconducting band structure,[1] whilst the organic molecules stabilize the lattice, indirectly controlling the optical properties.[2, 3] These soft and ionic crystals possess many new and unexpected properties bridging the worlds of classic and organic semiconductors.

On October 15, all eyes will be on Poland as the country holds critical parliamentary elections. The months leading up to this event have seen a fiercely contested campaign, with an opposition bloc, led by the centrist Civic Coalition, attempting to prevent the ruling rightwing coalition, led by the Law and Justice party, from winning a third term in office.

Alliances and strategic relations around the world are being redefined by the Russian war against Ukraine and growing US-China competition and tension. These geopolitical developments, alongside other recent economic and security crises, call for a rethinking of US and European engagement with key actors in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific.