European security
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War left the North Atlantic Alliance without a clear mission. Funded mostly by the United States, it remains the chief guarantor of Europe’s security. Now, Washington is pushing for European members to foot more the cost of defence. New challenges, including migration, Russian assertiveness and the conflict in Ukraine, have all produced tensions within the EU and the NATO alliance.
Reports on European security See all →
Opinion: Russia and Ukraine, or who will outwait whom?
The leader of Ukraine had high hopes for the December 9, 2019, Normandy Four talks in Paris. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy promised Ukrainians the start of a vigorous peace process with Russia. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin is in no hurry to end the Donbas conflict. The United States has lost interest in Ukraine while Germany and France are pursuing a complex agenda that includes normalization of relations with Moscow.
GIS Dossier: Nord Stream 2
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was supposed to cement Russian dominance over Europe’s gas markets while bypassing Ukraine. But as it nears completion, Gazprom’s bargaining power versus the EU appears diminished. The Kremlin’s strong-arm tactics have simply proved no match for market forces.
Sweden rebuilds its military force, maybe
Sweden’s defense budget is to grow by about one third in the next three years, as the country reverses its decades-long policies and aims to rebuild its once impressive territorial defense capabilities. The plan hardly surprises in today’s neo-Cold War context, but given the scope and nature of the challenges ...
The true strengths of sub-Saharan Africa
Botched decolonization in the 20th century has saddled sub-Saharan Africa with the nation-state concept and social designs that are alien to its indigenous societies. The result is the twin scourge of perennial conflict and economic weakness. The outside world should rethink its stand on the decentralization of African states and ...
Opinion: Scenarios for Turkey’s role in NATO
Turkey’s political behavior poses problems for NATO, of which it is an important member. Until recently, the country was a formidable partner of the Western alliance in its confrontation with the Soviet Union and a buffer against threats from the Middle East. Turkey still fields the alliance’s second-largest army, after ...
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More Disruptions
Expanding state
A trend toward increased government influence in economies and personal life is curbing growth, and freedom, in many Western countries. The outsized role of government results in misplaced incentives, overregulation – which restrains markets and competition – and irresponsible budgetary ...
Middle East politics
The region, one of the cradles of civilization, is going through a turbulent period of historic realignment. Its powers are vying for political, military, economic and religious dominance with local players and outside actors. Armed conflicts, mainly civil wars, are ...
