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August 6, 2009 | The Blocked Bloc

Tomislav Marsic : The recent Slovenian veto to an advancement of EU accession negotiations with Croatia accompanied by Greek efforts to constrain any EU-Macedonian rapprochement have deeply altered the inter-state relations of all involved. European solidarity and long-term strategic thinking are crucial to repairing the increasingly fragile bonds.

August 4, 2009 | Solving Europe's Bosnia Crisis

Daniel Korski: If there is one thing the EU is proud of, it is the bloc’s Balkan record. From a region torn apart in the mid-1990s, a new one has emerged. However, progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina has ceased. It will take a clear aim and a tougher EU approach for Bosnian politicians to start behaving responsibly and building a state that has a future in Europe.

June 17, 2009 | Will the Global Financial Crisis Affect EMU Enlargement?

C. Fahrholz, J. Börner and C. Wójcik: The current global financial crisis is creating new challenges for the European Monetary Union (EMU) that may threaten its credibility, its enlargement through the addition of member nations and even put the long-term stability of the euro at risk. The European Union must create new institutions that can balance short term needs during the crisis with long term sustainability.

December 24, 2008 | In the Name of Peace

Richard N. Rosencrance & Ehud Eiran: A Palestinian-Israeli peace settlement stands little chance, given current political realities. In the form of EU membership, Europe holds the key to the transformation and resolution of the millennia-long rivalry - both a win-win for Israel and Palestine and a boon to Europe. In the name of peace, Israelis and Palestinians should become European.

July 11, 2008 | Serbia Is Back in Europe

Elizabeth Pond : Even though radical voices are still present in Serbian political life, most of the Serbs finally made the choice of becoming a part of Europe.

July 3, 2008 | Ukraine's Western Integration

From the Editorial Team: Atlantic Community offers a chance for members to influence real politics. In preparation for Chancellor Merkel’s visit to Ukraine on July 21st, 2008, we are preparing an Atlantic Memo which will be send to members of parliament prior to Merkel’s departure.

July 1, 2008 | Averting Secessionism in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus

Hall Gardner: NATO’s Bucharest Summit in April 2008 did not fully address the question of how to create a viable system of security for the volatile region of eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. As eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus are all riddled with secessionist and irredentist movements since Soviet collapse, it will require concerted US, EU, and Russian attention if a major crisis is to be averted.

June 13, 2008 | Regional Cooperation Better Than NATO/EU Enlargement

Hall Gardner: A move towards Ukrainian NATO membership would strain relations with Russia and have serious consequences. In the short-term, Ukraine should remain “neutral”, while the EU introduces new, and expands existing confidence building economic and political areas of cooperation with Kiev and Moscow. In the long-term, Europe should seek to develop a confederal relationship with both Ukraine and Russia.

June 5, 2008 | Ukraine's Future Lies in the EU, not NATO

Heinrich Bonnenberg: Germany and the EU must give stronger credit to Ukraine’s emergence as an independent democracy in the tradition of Europe’s historic liberal movements. The EU should quickly enable Ukrainian accession, but NATO membership should not be pursued, as this would likely exasperate tensions with Russia.

January 21, 2008 | Kosovo: Avoid US Unilateralism, Encourage EU Leaders

Memo 4: Members of the Atlantic Community are mostly optimistic about the future of Kosovo and conflict resolution in the Western Balkans. The EU has a key role in this region and policy is in the right track, but, of course, big challenges still lie ahead.

July 30, 2007 | Turkey: Tough Challenges for AKP Despite Landslide Victory

Yiorghos Leventis: The AKP’s recent election victory is not simply a blessing for the party: the specter of violent reaction by the country’s military establishment still looms large. The EU should reward Turkish reforms towards EU membership.

November 28, 2008 | "In the Name of Peace"

The current political situation in the Middle East and America doesn’t augur well for a Palestinian-Israeli peace settlement. ++ Hopelessness is becoming endemic on all fronts; a new vision is needed. ++ Europe holds the key in the form of EU membership and the bountiful riches that accompany it. ++ In exchange for an Israeli-Palestinian “territorial and security agreement,” a

October 23, 2008 | Effete Germany Cozies up to Russia, Scorns NATO

“Old” and “new” Europe parallel the blue and red state split in the US. ++ In old (western) Europe Obama is viewed as a “ray of hope;” new (central and eastern) Europe raises the question, “Who is Obama?” ++ This can be attributed to a difference in threat perceptions. ++ Nowhere is this exemplified more than in Germany. ++ There, a proto-Kantian

September 8, 2008 | The EU Must Incorporate Ukraine

Ukraine is approaching its third election in two years, a sign of its government’s volatility. ++ In response, the EU should put Ukraine on a clear road to accession, an albeit controversial move that is nevertheless in its vital interest. ++ Furthermore, the EU must invest economically in Ukraine, thereby bringing stability and growth to a region that could otherwise fall prey to the divisive

September 2, 2008 | New EU Members Hinder Relations With Russia

EU efforts to reach a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with Russia are thwarted by the new eastern and central European EU members. ++ These countries, in contrast to old members, failed to leave past enmities at the door when joining the Union and can only view Russia through the prism of their bitter historic experience.++ Jacque Chirac’s warnings about EU enlargement now appear

June 9, 2008 | Turkey's Geopolitical Importance for the West

For a long time Turkey has been a haven of geopolitical stability. ++ Yet the Iraq War has subjected Turkey’s virtually unquestioned alliance with the US to reassessment.++ Turkey’s general consensus on its EU candidacy has started crumbling because of the EU’s wavering.++ Turkey plays a crucial role in maintaining peace in the volatile Caucasus region and in promoting peace in the Middle East

March 12, 2008 | Serbia's Choice: Between Integration and Isolation

Aiming primarily to qualify Serbia for membership in the EU, the Democratic Party of Tadic offers the country the most sensible economic, strategic, and diplomatic solution. ++ Kosovo’s declaration of independence may have strengthened ultranationalist, anti-EU forces. ++ To help Tadic, the EU and the US now have the duty to protect the Serb minority in Kosovo and strive for reconciliation with

December 18, 2007 | Sarkozy's Proposal: Elitist or Forward Thinking?

Jose Ignacio Torreblanca of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) criticizes Sarkozy’s proposal of a committee of the wise, to address the future of Europe, but discusses how it might eventually come to be seen as an interesting forum for mobilizing public debate about the future challenges of the EU.

The proposal has been received with skepticism because of fears that it

April 17, 2007 | Simon Tisdall on Turkey's Rising Self-Confidence and EU Shortsightedness

The EU decision in December 2006 to suspend talks on Turkey’s membership has deepened Turkish disillusionment with the EU, writes journalist Simon Tisdall. There are questions in Turkey as to whether it should concentrate instead on closer cooperation with Moscow and the Turkic Republics of Central Asia. Turkey’s newfound confidence about life beyond EU borders is bolstered by a booming domestic