Europe Center Commentary & Analysis

New Atlanticist Feb 10, 2025

Now is Europe’s moment for decisive action on Ukraine

By Léonie Allard, Ian Brzezinski

Make Trump an offer he can’t refuse: European allies should propose deploying troops in Ukraine.
Conflict Europe & Eurasia
Europe Center Commentary & Analysis

New Atlanticist Feb 4, 2025

The next German chancellor must lead from the front, not the middle, on European security

By Rachel Rizzo, James Batchik

From support for Ukraine to defense spending, German leaders would be wise to take the phrase Führung aus der Mitte permanently out of their vocabulary.
Elections Germany
Europe Center Commentary & Analysis

New Atlanticist Sep 15, 2024

The case for a comprehensive US-EU economic agreement

By L. Daniel Mullaney and Bruce Stokes

A successful future US-EU trade agreement must learn from and avoid the mistakes of past transatlantic trade efforts.
Economy & Business European Union

All timely commentary & analysis

New Atlanticist

Apr 17, 2020

Life in Hungary during COVID-19

By Bálint Ablonczy

It remains to be seen what effect the coronavirus will yet have on the Hungarian people. So far, it seems, Hungary is far from the worst that was thought possible.

Coronavirus Hungary

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2020

Eurozone passes coronavirus rescue plan, but political unity remains elusive

By David A. Wemer

Although European leaders were finally able to agree on a massive rescue package to help the European economy weather the storm of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the lack of unity on display over the protracted negotiations raises deep concerns about Europe’s ability to navigate the difficult road to recovery.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2020

Slovakia looks towards an end to COVID-19’s painful isolation

By Alena Kudzko

Slovakia now needs to find ways to prepare for a post-COVID-19 world. Borders and national solutions can only provide necessary relief during an emergency. Looking ahead, the country will be tasked with finding ways to resolve the tension between attaining a false sense of security through national measures and walls, on the one hand, and the need to restore economic prosperity, on the other, through common European solutions.

Central Europe Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2020

Addressing Hungary’s coronavirus emergency legislation

By Denise Forsthuber and Daniel Fried

Many in Europe and the United States who consider themselves friends of Hungary have struggled over what to do with what can be increasingly interpreted as an authoritarian drift in that country. Hungary was one of the early leaders of Central Europe’s democratic transformation after its overthrow of communist rule in 1989; this is the tradition we would prefer to be celebrating today. Instead, we struggle to find a way forward.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2020

While he stems the spread of the coronavirus, Orban is spreading the virus of illiberalism.

By András Simonyi

Viktor Orban had the opportunity in the last weeks to choose between becoming a statesman or a general. He opted for the latter. One wishes him well in dealing with the crisis. But this last decision is not really about handling the crisis.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 6, 2020

Strict measures—including compulsory face masks—help Czechs get grip on COVID-19

By Ian Willoughby

There is a growing sense that the Czech government has already succeeded in more or less containing the coronavirus pandemic and cabinet members have signaled that some of the strictest measures will be loosened in the coming weeks, unless infection rates take an unexpected turn for the worse. Face masks will no doubt be worn for quite some time to come—but many in the Czech Republic are already cautiously looking forward to the day when they can finally take them off.

Central Europe Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2020

COVID-19 in the Western Balkans

By Dimitar Bechev

COVID-19 overshadowed two major developments in the region: the EU decision to open membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, as well as North Macedonia’s formal accession to NATO on March 27. In normal circumstances, this would have been huge news. Yet now the pandemic leaves little bandwidth for other matters, even in the Western Balkans.

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Apr 2, 2020

Forging the Four Freedoms Initiative for prosperity and peace in the Balkans

By Marko Čadež

To demonstrate their readiness to fulfill the responsibilities associated with full-fledged membership in the world’s largest common market, the countries of the region launched the Western Balkans Four Freedoms Initiative to bring down barriers to intra-regional trade, travel, and labor movement. While not identical to Roosevelt’s plans, this project seeks to ensure the same outcome of peace and prosperity through liberty, opportunity, and growth.

International Markets Macroeconomics

New Atlanticist

Mar 31, 2020

Europe’s economic emergency is also a geopolitical one

By Benjamin Haddad and Josh Lipsky

European leaders are deciding the future of European power on the world stage. If Europeans can’t ensure solidarity with each other after so much pain and sacrifice, it will not only be a devastating loss for Europe. It will also be a blow to a world looking for the political shape of a post-coronavirus world.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2020

EU greenlights North Macedonia and Albania membership talks: Breakthrough or symbolic gesture?

By Jörn Fleck

“The decision by the EU foreign ministers to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania comes at a time when Europe is battling a major public health crisis and is bracing for its economic aftershocks,” Dimitar Bechev says. “Keeping enlargement alive speaks volumes about the union’s ability to muddle through.”

Democratic Transitions European Union
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