A map shows just how rare they have been: most European countries are shaded green (zero coups since 1945), with only a handful in brighter tones, indicating one, two or more attempts. The starkest outlier, Turkey, registers 11, more than any other European country on the map.

According to the Coup d’État Project by the Cline Centre , which catalogues coups, attempted coups and conspiracies from 1945 to 2024, there are 1,094 events globally — of which 458 succeeded, 374 failed, and 262 were conspiracies.

Within Europe, the number is far smaller, reflecting robust institutions, strong rule of law, and historical legacies that resist abrupt military or extra-constitutional interventions.

Turkey stands out on the map with 11 coup events or attempts since 1945, significantly more than almost every other European country. This includes both successful coups, failed military putsch attempts, and conspiracies.

That number reflects not only the structural tensions in Turkey’s political and military relationship but also the repeated frictions between civilian leadership and various factions in the state. It is a reminder of how history, institutional weaknesses, and ideological divides can breed vulnerability to extra-legal power grabs.

Europe’s rarer cases

Outside of Turkey, Europe has had occasional moments of danger. Greece, for example, had several coups in its mid-20th-century history, but very few have occurred in recent decades.

More recently, several countries have seen alleged coup plots, investigations, or political crises that carry coup-like overtones:

These events, though serious, illustrate that most of Europe’s threats are plots, conspiracies or fringe movements, not wholesale military takeovers.

Tying this to global trends

For investors, analysts, and observers, the resurgence or persistence of coup risks matters a great deal, especially in a world already strained by inflation, supply chain shocks, and geopolitical fragmentation.

Turkey’s high count reinforces perceptions of political risk, one reason why foreign investors often demand risk premiums for exposure there.

It also underscores why policies that bolster institutional transparency, civil oversight, civilian control over the military, and stable legal frameworks are not just ideals — they are critical for economic stability and investor confidence.

Meanwhile, the recent flare-ups elsewhere in Europe, Romania, Germany, and Armenia, remind us that no country is immune. Plotting a coup, or being accused of such, destabilises markets, spooks foreign investment, raises currency risk, and invites foreign policy entanglements.

In a notable international development, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz officiated the signing of a USTDA grant agreement with Terra Metals Inc. and Metalex Commodities to support Zambia’s Kazozo Copper–Cobalt Project. While the project is located in Zambia, Bhutanese observers are watching closely as such initiatives influence global commodity prices and the critical minerals market, sectors that indirectly affect Bhutan’s trade balance and its own aspirations to diversify its economy beyond hydropower.

biBerk offers guidance on storm damage insurance

Business insurance provider biBerk has published detailed insights on preparing for storm damage, emphasising the steps businesses should take before and after severe weather events. Bhutan’s policymakers and private sector stakeholders have been increasingly interested in risk-mitigation tools as the country faces intensifying monsoon seasons and climate change–related disasters, making this guidance particularly relevant to local enterprises and insurers.

THREE business insurance outlines risk management essentials

Another major development in the business sector is THREE Business Insurance’s release of a comprehensive guide on risk management, business insurance essentials, and common mistakes to avoid. This comes at a time when Bhutan is pushing to strengthen its SME sector as part of its economic recovery and modernisation strategy, underscoring the need for robust risk protection mechanisms.

Rule of law as a foundation for governance reform

A key policy discussion this week focused on the necessity of adhering to international rule of law standards to create a fair and transparent governance system. For Bhutan, which is known for its constitutional monarchy and Gross National Happiness framework, the conversation reinforces its ongoing judicial and administrative reforms aimed at strengthening public trust and aligning with global norms.

Bhutan engages in the 3rd Indo-Pacific economic conclave

Bhutan participated in the 3rd Indo-Pacific Economic Conclave, underscoring its growing engagement with regional and global economic forums. The discussions at the conclave covered trade facilitation, infrastructure development, and strategies for sustainable growth in the Indo-Pacific region. For Bhutan, participation in such events is critical to integrating its small but strategically located economy into wider economic corridors.