The Atlantic Council hosted a discussion on the rise and threat of far-right populism in Europe, featuring the release of a new policy brief on the topic, What’s Left of Europe If the Far Right Has Its Way? by Alina Polyakova and Anton Shekhovtsov.

The panel comprised Alina Polyakova of the Atlantic Council, Susan Corke of Human Rights First, and Marlene Laruelle, professor at The George Washington University. Christian Caryl of Foreign Policy Magazine moderated the discussion. Frances Burwell, Vice President of European Union and Special Initiatives at the Atlantic Council, delivered welcoming remarks.

The panelists discussed how anti-immigrant and isolationist groups have capitalized on the refugee crisis and the financial meltdown of 2008 to gain at the polls, and the consequent eroding ability of the European Union to coordinate policies for solving Europe’s crises. The panelists warned that Russia’s financial aid to its far-right allies in Europe, who in return publicly support Putin’s geopolitical interests and foreign policy agenda, is furthering a far-right turn in European politics. They also discussed realistic policies the West could strategically pursue to strengthen the transatlantic relationship and save the post-communist transformation of Eastern Europe.

The event was hosted by the Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center.

Image: From left: Christian Caryl, Editor at Foreign Policy Magazine, moderated a discussion on “Confronting Far-Right Extremism in Europe” with Alina Polyakova, Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Center; Marlene Laruelle, Professor at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs; and Susan Corke, Director of Countering Antisemitism and Extremism at Human Rights First, at the Atlantic Council on March 22. (Atlantic Council)