Central Europe

Three decades since the end of the Cold War, twenty years since NATO’s first enlargement beyond the Iron Curtain, and fifteen years since European Union and NATO accession, the states of Central Europe remain full and active members of both organizations, and they are key players in the transatlantic community. Foreign influence from Russia and China, concerns over regional adherence to the rule of law, and economic insecurity require continued and renewed US engagement.

Content

The geo-strategic area around Suwalki, Poland has a rich and complex history

NATOSource

Feb 9, 2016

NATO’s Vulnerable Link in Europe: Poland’s Suwalki Gap

By Agnia Grigas

The Pentagon’s decision to quadruple its 2017 budget for European defence due to the perceived threat of Russian aggression and the recent RAND report noting the difficulties NATO would have defending the Baltic States, are once again bringing to the forefront the risks on Europe’s frontier states.

Belarus NATO

In the News

Feb 8, 2016

Stephan in Foreign Policy: Poland’s Liberals Strike Back

By Maria J. Stephan

Read the full article here.

Poland

Event Recap

Feb 1, 2016

Defense and Deterrence on NATO’s Eastern Flank

By Brent Scowcroft Center

On February 1, the Atlantic Council hosted a private strategy session with the Undersecretary of State from the Polish Ministry of National Defense, Tomasz Szatkowski.

Poland
USS Porter and Romania's ROS Marcellariu training in the Black Sea, July 14, 2015

NATOSource

Jan 21, 2016

Romania Wants Permanent NATO Black Sea Force

By Transitions Online and EurasiaNet

From Transitions Online: At NATO’s July summit, Bucharest will propose that a regular multinational naval force patrol the area.

Central Europe Germany

In the News

Jan 20, 2016

Vajdich In The Hill: EU Must Halt Spread of Illiberal Democracy

By Daniel Vajdich

Read the full article here.

European Union International Organizations
Gen. Frank Gorenc, Commander of US Air Force in Europe and Africa, Sept. 15, 2014

NATOSource

Jan 19, 2016

US Air Force General Says Russia Missile Defense ‘Very Serious’

By Rick Gladstone, New York Times

The commander of United States Air Force operations in Europe and Africa expressed “very serious” concern Monday over what he described as big buildups of complex Russian missile defenses

NATO Poland

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2016

Poland’s Right Turn Worries Brussels

By Ashish Kumar Sen

But European Commission seen unlikely to punish Warsaw Poland has been widely hailed as the poster child of democracy in Eastern Europe in the decades since the collapse of communism. Is that about to change under the ruling Law and Justice Party? After sweeping to power in October, the Law and Justice Party (PiS), led […]

Poland

UkraineAlert

Jan 13, 2016

The Complex History of the Ukrainian Nation: A Review of “The Gates of Europe”

By Alexei Sobchenko

During a time of war, history becomes a weapon used to justify claims and raise soldiers’ spirits. In this case, successful histories are simple, unequivocal, and confirmed by the experiences of past centuries. The current Kremlin version of history of the relationship between Russia and Ukraine fully meets these criteria. According to Moscow, there was […]

Poland Russia
Secretary of State John Kerry, Dec. 2, 2015

NATOSource

Jan 11, 2016

10 Most Popular NATO Stories of 2015

By Jorge Benitez, Director of NATOSource

Last year, Russia intervened militarily in the Middle East and increased military provocations in the Baltic Sea Region.

France NATO
Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski, Nov. 16, 2015

NATOSource

Jan 4, 2016

Warsaw May Reach EU Compromise with UK, If It Leads to NATO Force in Poland

By Wiktor Szary and Justyna Pawlak, Reuters

Poland could be open to compromise over British demands to limit the rights of European Union migrants if London helps it bolster the NATO presence in central Europe, Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski told Reuters.

NATO Poland

Experts

Events