“I worry about the commitment to Article V” Published: 16 June 2015 A new study released by the Pew Research Center finds that many European publics are highly conflicted over whether to defend a NATO ally against a potential future attack by Russia. In order to gain insight into the way the study was perceived in Washington’s policy circles, we interviewed Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security.
Will Obama get Fast Track? Published: 8 June 2015 Fast track is an extraordinary surrender of congressional authority to the President. It gives the President authority to negotiate trade deals in secret and then bring them to Congress for a yes or no vote. Karen Hansen-Kuhn writes why the question of transparency in the trade negotiations is so important for the public debate on fast track. By Karen Hansen-Kuhn
Why Hungarian voters are turning away from Fidesz and towards Jobbik Published: 2 June 2015 Since 2010 Fidesz has managed to win all parliamentary by-elections leading up to a resounding victory of Viktor Orbán at the parliamentary elections in April 2014 and easily won municipal elections in October 2014. Recently things have changed dramatically. By Kristóf Szombati
The EU and the Migrant Crisis: Not Much More Than a Point Defense Published: 2 June 2015 At the southern border of “Fortress Europe”, the Mediterranean has turned into a graveyard. The current migrant crisis in Europe is about more than a risk to the EU’s reputation. It strikes at the core of the EU’s founding values. A continuation of its half-hearted response to the migration crisis is out of question. By Charlotte Beck
Energy Transit and Security Imbalance in South Caucasus Published: 1 June 2015 The transit potential of the Caspian energy resources is facing challenges: Joining the European Energy Community would be a significant step for the transit countries of South Caucasus to ensure their stability and democratic development. By Tamar Pataraia
Azerbaijan Waiting for the Islamic State: What's Next? Published: 29 May 2015 A sad anniversary is upon us. The 29th of June marks exactly one year since the declaration of the global Caliphate - the Islamic State (previously the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). This anniversary is an occasion to reflect on the impact that the various radical Islamic movements and groups have on Salafis (adherents to a strain of Sunni fundamentalism) in Azerbaijan and just how active Azerbaijani Salafis may be in transnational networks and organizations of Islamic radicals. By Sergey Rumyantsev
Hungary’s hypocritical migration policy Published: 29 May 2015 "We’d like to retain Hungary as Hungary", says Victor Orbán in January 2015. Xenophobia is significant in his country. How a multicultural and multi-ethnic society became a mono-ethnic and closed one. By Boldizsár Nagy
The Last Days of the United Kingdom? Published: 11 May 2015 Reflections on the Morning After the British General Election of 2015. Will the general election in the UK mark the beginning of the end of the United Kingdom? Read Alex Brianson's reflections on the morning after. By Alex Brianson
What Germany’s energy transition means for the United States Published: 7 May 2015 Germany’s energy transition has created a global market for renewable energies. This is now enabling other countries to follow suit, in particular the United States. By Rebecca Bertram
“I am Eurasian” – The Kremlin connections of the Hungarian far-right Published: 4 May 2015 Why the Russian regime and the Hungarian far right are in an intimate relationship. A new study by Political Capital and Social Development Institute. By Péter Krekó