Europe & Eurasia

Letter: Experts Worry that “Decommunization” Laws Curtail Free Speech

By Atlantic Council

Editor’s note: It’s unfortunate that in a time of critical issues that legislation that disenfranchises certain, if often extreme, points of view looks like it’s going to become law. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is expected to sign four laws on “decommunization,” recently passed by Ukraine’s parliament, which enact an official version of the nation’s 20th century […]

The Kurdish Factor in Turkey’s Election

Things are not looking good for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) ahead of the parliamentary elections in June. The AKP may lose seats while the Kurdish political party, the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), and far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are expected to gain seats, according to recent polls.

Five Ways to Reboot NATO

By James Stavridis, Politico

1. Prepare for cyber conflict…. More emphasis should be placed on operational preps for cyber conflict–not just the policy work that occurs at the NATO Cyber Center in Tallinn.

The Syrian Humanitarian Crisis: A Conversation with Turkish AFAD President

By Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

On Monday, April 20, 2015, the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and the Turkish Heritage Organization hosted the President of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD), Dr. Fuat Oktay, for a discussion on the Syrian humanitarian crisis. Atlantic Council Vice President and Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone provided introductory […]

The Kurdish Impact on Turkey’s Democratic Development

By Aaron Stein

In the past few weeks, Turkey’s major political parties have ramped up their campaign for the June 2015 national election. After years of electoral dominance, numerous polls suggest that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) may lose seats.

Poland Decides to Acquire Patriot Missile Defense System

By Defense News and Boston Globe

From Aaron Mehta and Pierre Tran, Defense News:  Poland has selected the US Patriot system and the Airbus Caracal helicopter as the European nation faces an increasingly aggressive Russia.

The Hidden Costs of Russia’s Proposed Aircraft Supercarrier

By Nicholas Varangis

Why is Russia planning on building an aircraft supercarrier in the next decade? The answer may seem self-evident: Russia wants to challenge the United States as a global power.

Turkey Shifts Away From West on Defense

By Emre Peker, Wall Street Journal

Ankara has recently moved to diminish Turkey’s military dependence on the West, including last month inaugurating rocket testing and a radar technologies facilities.