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November 3, 2011 | Say Goodbye to Prestige Thinking: Quit CSDP and Concentrate on NATO

Felix F. Seidler: The EU has proven it is not a credible player in international security; the CSDP is merely a prestige project that has gone nowhere. Despite lower budgets, NATO still has the means to tackle current threats, and EU defense spending should be concentrated there.

June 4, 2011 | EU Needs to Drive Forward the Debate on Climate Change

Vijeta Rattani: The EU was weak at the Cancun Summit last year, but it cannot afford to lose its influence in the climate debate as it is the most credible player to take a lead on the issue. Climate change should be given precedence over other objectives in view of its global implications and greater emphasis should be put on assisting developing countries.

May 20, 2011 | The EU's Eastern Partnership Program and Belarus

Alex Rubin: Despite twenty years of Belarusian independence and shared borders, the EU has thus far failed to make a lasting impact on the Belarusian regime or its population. This study examines the EU’s failed approach to Minsk and contextualizes the issue by including additional factors such as Russian influence and domestic politics.

February 7, 2011 | EU Sanctions Will Never Work on Belarus

Jeremy Wysakowski-Walters: The EU should embrace Belarus and use positive tactics to attempt to “convert” ordinary Belarusians, many of whom are still loyal to President Lukashenko. Sanctions do not work and will only reinforce his position.

January 24, 2011 | Romania's Strategic Role in the EU

Alexandra Dobra: Romania benefits from its geographical location, being situated at the confluence of different regional powers. The foreign policy challenges faced by the EU in this region can be partly alleviated, by placing Romania as the European “Trojan horse” in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. ‎

February 22, 2010 | EU-US Couple Better Off Courting Syria

Michael Patrick McCarthy: The EU and the United States are both taking proper steps in their relationship with Syria. While they have some differing interests in the Middle East, both Western strategies could work more successfully if they worked more closely to support each other’s diplomacy with Syria.

February 18, 2010 | Avoiding Another Disaster in Sudan

Enver Ferhatović: As Sudan prepares for general elections this year and a secession referendum next year, the international community needs to help form a plan to avoid post-election violence. Sudan will over the next couple of years remain one of the major test-cases of the effectiveness of an EU common foreign and security policy.

December 2, 2009 | The European Rescue of the National Interest

Asle Toje & Barbara Kunz: EU members are uploading the idealistic elements of their foreign policies in order to free up resources to pursue national-interest driven objectives. Although EU members are eager to sign visionary declarations, they are not willing to match that enthusiasm in terms of spending. Amidst a global economic crisis, the national interest once more prevails.

July 1, 2009 | Pakistan: Western Meddling Likely to Backfire

Marie Lall: The West continues to misunderstand Pakistani realities on the ground. It must alter its hawkish approach towards the region and embrace a deeper understanding of the views across Pakistan. A radical policy shift and investments to stabilize the economy must be made before Western involvement turns sour.

June 18, 2009 | EU Must Bring Its Expertise to Pakistan

Editorial Team: Terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons are growing threats for the EU. 30 international experts interviewed by Atlantic-Community.org nearly unanimously call for a much stronger EU commitments to the stabilization of Pakistan than promised at yesterday’s EU-Pakistan summit. The EU should complement US strategy with a long-term focus on state building.

May 18, 2009 | Hard Road Ahead to Save Pakistan from Collapse

Urs Schrade: Pakistan could be weeks away from full-blown civil war and state collapse. To bring Pakistan back from the brink, international aid must urgently be spent on improving security and economic development. Many Taliban supporters have a financial - not religious - motive for backing the group.

January 13, 2009 | EU Foreign Policy Making Towards the Western Balkans: Lessons Learned

Rudi Guraziu: EU foreign policy significantly changed during the Kosovo war after the Yugoslav failures demonstrated the need for an improved and coherent Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). This new direction in EU foreign policy significantly impacts the Western Balkans. What are the reasons behind …

December 2, 2011 | European Foreign Policy and the Economic Crisis

A fascinating look at how the Euro crisis will impact EU foreign policy from Richard Youngs, the director of FRIDE in Madrid. Youngs looks at how a “two-speed” Europe could still function with united external relations, and outlines four guiding principles for a stable and successful policy. From the abstract:

The euro crisis increasingly threatens not just the European Union’s (EU)

July 28, 2010 | EU Tries to Get Iran to Talk

With new sanctions in place, the European Union is attempting to get Iran back to the table for talks on its nuclear program. ++ “A new diplomatic window of opportunity” is opening at the end of Ramadan, as EU High Representative Catherine Ashton plans to meet with the Iranians in Istanbul. ++ Up to now, Iranian proposals have constituted no more than a smoke screen. ++ As a result, there are

June 24, 2010 | EU Foreign Service: Bureaucracy Playing Games

The proposed elimination of the posts of EU representatives to Moldova and the South Caucasus reveals what intrigues are spun by the Union’s locomotives – Germany, France, and Great Britain. ++ They seek to expand their influence over EU foreign policy by manipulating Lady Ashton. ++ The formation of the EU diplomatic service “gave occasion to a ‘war’ between the

March 3, 2010 | The EU Has a Voice, Finally

EU’s President Herman Van Rompuy gave his strongest speech to date last week. ++ Economic governance and strengthening ties with emerging powers were identified as the main areas to improve Europe’s role in the world. ++ Surprisingly enough, Europe’s difficulties as well as challenges were mentioned, including the damaged EU-US relationship ++ “In spite of current impressions,

January 13, 2010 | EU Diplomacy Acts Tough But Talks Soft, Again

As Baroness Ashton, the brand new face of EU foreign policy, is auditioned by the European parliament, scepticism prevails. ++ The new head of European diplomacy is neither convincing nor federating. ++ Silence remains over hot topics such as Afghanistan and Iraq. ++ And uncertainty hangs over who will lead the EU at last, among Barosso, Van Rompuy and the 27 national foreign affairs ministers

July 3, 2009 | With Russia, Trust is Good, Control is Better

The West can’t ignore Russia’s belligerent moves towards Georgia - warning signs that Russia is not ready for the relationship we seek. ++ “Extensive fighting could
erupt again” and Russia may be preparing to install a puppet regime. ++ While Russia is strategically more important, it is not a reliable partner: its brutish stands show it does not share Western values, like transparency,

June 26, 2009 | Germany in Afghanistan: Go Big, or Go Home

German politicians must address public questions about NATO involvement in Afghanistan. ++ They must recognize that the war entails risks, and costs - including German lives - and communicate to Germans that they owe their soldiers respect, empathy and support. ++ Finally, they must admit that wars are not won half-heartedly:  keeping the number of troops low increases the necessity for air

June 19, 2009 | Donors Should Demand More from Middle East Players

The buzz around Middle East peace is on again, with all major players stating their negotiating position. ++ Yet, donors, who are tired of seeing their efforts repeatedly ruined, are leaving the Palestinian Authority to crumble. ++ Donors need to urgently exert demands: that Israel live up to the roadmap agreements, freeze settlements, and lift the blockade; that the Palestinians have a united

January 21, 2009 | Europe Responsible For War in the Middle East

Is the massive reconstruction aid currently being sent by Europe to the Middle East mere compensation for having been unable to prevent the recent Gaza War? ++ If the Palestinians lived in their own state, they wouldn’t need humanitarian aid. ++ “By not recognizing a freely elected Palestinian government, Europe has actively undermined the creation of one.” ++ Preventing the Palestinian people