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Bechev speaks The Times of London on Russia and the opening of Turkstream

Fri, Dec 20, 2019

Russia’s strategic interests and tools of influence in the Western Balkans

The Western Balkans are part and parcel of Russia’s strategy to establish itself as a first-rate player in European security affairs, along with other major states such as Germany, France, and the UK. Since the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, the region has been at the forefront of debates on critical issues such as transatlantic relations, the EU’s security and defense policy, and NATO/EU enlargement. Having a foothold in the Balkans means having a say on those strategic matters, which are of direct consequence to Russia.

New Atlanticist by Dimitar Bechev

Russia The Balkans
Bechev speaks The Times of London on Russia and the opening of Turkstream

Tue, Dec 10, 2019

Albania’s former foreign minister: EU made “strategic mistake” in delaying accession negotiations

The failure of European Union leaders to greenlight the start of the enlargement process for Albania and North Macedonia in October was “a step backwards” for the region’s path towards European integration, according to former Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati.

New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer

European Union The Balkans
Bechev speaks The Times of London on Russia and the opening of Turkstream

Fri, Nov 22, 2019

Evaluating Macron’s pitch for enlargement reform

French officials hope the proposal can open the door to a real debate over how the European Union adds new members, while also limiting the political blowback for the Western Balkan countries

New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer

Democratic Transitions European Union

Experts

Judy Ansley

Senior Advisor

Economy & Business English

Future Europe Initiative

Bechev Dimitar

Dimitar Bechev

Senior Fellow

Energy Markets & Governance Eurozone

Eurasia Center

fried daniel

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Central Europe Conflict

Economic Sanctions Initiative Eurasia Center

Kanishk Karan

Kanishk Karan

Research Assistant, Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Digital Forensic Research Lab

karatnycky adrian

Adrian Karatnycky

Senior Fellow

Belarus Civil Society

Eurasia Center

Marta Kepe, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Marta Kepe

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Industry English

Transatlantic Security Initiative

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Content

Thu, Jan 9, 2020

Bechev speaks The Times of London on Russia and the opening of Turkstream

In the News by Atlantic Council

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

Fri, Dec 20, 2019

Russia’s strategic interests and tools of influence in the Western Balkans

The Western Balkans are part and parcel of Russia’s strategy to establish itself as a first-rate player in European security affairs, along with other major states such as Germany, France, and the UK. Since the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, the region has been at the forefront of debates on critical issues such as transatlantic relations, the EU’s security and defense policy, and NATO/EU enlargement. Having a foothold in the Balkans means having a say on those strategic matters, which are of direct consequence to Russia.

New Atlanticist by Dimitar Bechev

Russia The Balkans

Tue, Dec 10, 2019

Albania’s former foreign minister: EU made “strategic mistake” in delaying accession negotiations

The failure of European Union leaders to greenlight the start of the enlargement process for Albania and North Macedonia in October was “a step backwards” for the region’s path towards European integration, according to former Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati.

New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer

European Union The Balkans

Tue, Dec 3, 2019

NATO is defined by its success—not its tensions

While international headlines have focused on high-profile disputes within the NATO alliance over a litany of issues including defense spending, trade, Syria, and Brexit, transatlantic leaders stressed on December 3 that these disagreements are dwarfed by the continued success of the seventy-year-old alliance.

New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer

NATO Poland

Tue, Dec 3, 2019

NATO Engages transcript: Defense and deterrence for a new era

After an introduction by Dr. Karin Von Hippel, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, H.E. Andrzej Duda, president of Poland and H.E. Zoran Zaev and prime minister of the Republic of North Macedonia speak on a panel moderated by Stephen Sackur, presenter on BBC Hardtalk

Transcripts by Atlantic Council

NATO Poland

Fri, Nov 22, 2019

Evaluating Macron’s pitch for enlargement reform

French officials hope the proposal can open the door to a real debate over how the European Union adds new members, while also limiting the political blowback for the Western Balkan countries

New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer

Democratic Transitions European Union

Wed, Oct 30, 2019

By blocking enlargement decision, Macron undercuts France’s Balkan goals

By strongly supporting the government of North Macedonia from the start and granting it the opening of negotiations, it would have been possible to create a virtuous circle in the region and kill four birds with one stone. President Macron chose to do exactly the opposite.

New Atlanticist by Loic Tregoures

European Union France

Wed, Oct 9, 2019

Morningstar quoted in 15 Suprasti Akimirksniu on Lithuanian energy sector and development

In the News by Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Lithuanian

Thu, Oct 3, 2019

A road map for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue

Kosovo foreign service member Muhamet Brajshori calls on Europe and the United States to work together to help facilitate a deal.

New Atlanticist by Muhamet Brajshori

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding The Balkans

Tue, Sep 17, 2019

Great Power Competition in Southeast Europe

In the past decade, the United States and the European Union (EU) became more ambivalent about our commitments in the Western Balkans. Moscow and Beijing, sensing an opening, have become more determined in their efforts to gain influence and leverage in the region.

New Atlanticist by Damon Wilson

China Russia
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Events

Wed, Feb 5, 2020

A conversation with H.E. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama shares his perspective on the latest developments in Albania’s continued integration into the Euro-Atlantic community in an exclusive town hall conversation.

4:00pm Washington DC