The Balkans

Extend NATO’s Umbrella to Montenegro and Macedonia

By Michael Haltzel, Washington Post

In reacting to Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine, President Obama has reassured exposed NATO members Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia of firm U.S. support

Why Expanding NATO would Deter Russia, Stabilize Europe

By Tomas Valasek and Damon Wilson, CNN GPS

At a time when NATO is facing a period of tensions and confrontation along its borders, does enlargement help or hurt the Alliance?

Consolidating Europe’s South

By Sarah Bedenbaugh

Toward a Europe Whole and Free Panel Explores Growth of Southern Europe After an eventful start to the two-day conference “Toward a Europe Whole and Free,” and immediately following keynote remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry, the Atlantic Council held a moderated panel discussion on “Consolidating Europe’s South” with four ministers from the […]

Europe’s Security Catalyst

By Ditmir Bushati, Project Syndicate

Russia’s annexation of Crimea and ongoing threats against Ukraine are a reminder to the countries of Eastern Europe, particularly those in the Balkans, of NATO’s centrality to national – indeed, European – security.

Prime Minister: Montenegro Expects Invitation to Join NATO in September

Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic is optimistic about his country’s chances of receiving an invitation to join NATO in Wales at the September 2014 NATO summit. He praised US support for Montenegro’s ambition during his speech at the Atlantic Council on April 8. Djukanovic said that his country is in an “encouraging place,” and noted […]

Austria Boosts Peacekeepers in Balkans After Golan Withdrawal

By Georgina Prodhan, Reuters

Austria will send more peacekeepers to the Balkans and Africa after its withdrawal from the Golan Heights last year raised questions about the neutral Alpine country’s international commitment.

After Afghanistan, How Will We Fight the Next Multination War?

By Stephen Saideman, Globe and Mail

As 2014 seems to be the year that we look back and ponder what the Afghanistan war means for the future, the question becomes: what of NATO?

Kosovo on Stabilizing Peace With Serbia

‘Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic Integration’ is Path to Peace, Foreign Minister Says Fourteen years after Serbia, Kosovo, and NATO signed the agreement that ended a decade of war in the Balkans, the European Union is still working to consolidate that peace, notably by implementing last year’s deal to normalize Serbia-Kosovo relations. Days before the EU hosted a […]

US Intelligence Community’s Assessment of Threats in Europe

By Office of the Director of National Intelligence

The following excerpt is from the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, delivered by Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, January 29, 2014.