Europe & Eurasia

Unfreezing Eurasia’s Frozen Conflicts May Not Be as Hard as You Think

By Laura Linderman

It was nearly impossible to find an empty seat on the twice-weekly WizzAir flight from Berlin to Kutaisi this summer. The budget airline carries mostly German hikers to Georgia’s second largest city. From there, the hikers transfer in Zugdidi to reach their final destination, the remote and breathtaking Svaneti region, high in the Greater Caucasus. […]

Why Russia’s War against Ukraine May Never End

By Kornely Kakachia and Joseph Larsen

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently requested a UN peacekeeping mission for eastern Ukraine. While at home this looks like a peace overture, Putin is not motivated by the desire for amity. The proposal is similar to Russian actions in Georgia prior to 2008, when it supported a UN observer mission in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone […]

Why Are Prestigious Institutions Sponsoring a Russian Propaganda Concert in Washington?

By Diane Francis

In April 2015, Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa was to perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. But the concert was abruptly canceled because she expressed, to her huge online following, hurtful anti-Ukrainian messages and support for pro-Russia separatists who had invaded and occupied eastern Ukraine. “As one of Canada’s most important […]

Bonn and Berlin: COP23 and Coalition Negotiations Face Climate Challenges

By Ellen Scholl

Both the international climate talks this week in the former West German capital of Bonn, and the negotiations over the future composition of the German government continuing this week in Berlin, will focus on the country’s approach to climate policy. While all eyes may be on Bonn, the discussions in Berlin provide a preview, and […]

A Coming Storm? Shaping a Balkan Future in an Era of Uncertainty

Agenda 8:30 a.m.                    Registration Opens Light breakfast will be provided 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.          Welcoming Remarks and Scene Setter Welcome: Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council (confirmed) Scene Setter: Damir Marusic, Executive Editor, The American Interest (confirmed) Damon Wilson, Executive Vice President, Programs and Strategy, Atlantic Council (confirmed) 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. Keynote – […]

Speakers

Speakers Mr. Mark Boris Andrijanič Public Policy Associate, Central and Eastern Europe, Uber Mark Boris Andrijanič is a lawyer and an expert in public affairs from Slovenia. He is a member of Uber’s Public Policy team, responsible for Central and Eastern Europe where he leads Uber’s efforts to establish partnerships with governments and cities aimed […]

2017 Balkans Forward Conference

Although the Western Balkan region has made significant progress in its efforts to integrate into the wider transatlantic community, inspired and guided by its commitment to eventual membership in the European Union (EU), NATO, and other global institutions, that progress is now at risk. The conference will seek to generate new ideas and policy-relevant proposals […]

A Coming Storm? Shaping a Balkan Future in an Era of Uncertainty

Although the Western Balkan region has made significant progress in its efforts to integrate into the wider transatlantic community, inspired and guided by its commitment to eventual membership in the European Union (EU), NATO, and other global institutions, that progress is now at risk. The conference will seek to generate new ideas and policy-relevant proposals […]