Europe & Eurasia

Are dual-capable weapon systems destabilizing? Questioning nuclear-conventional entanglement and inadvertent escalation

By Matthew Kroenig, Mark J. Massa

Some fear that nuclear-conventional entanglement--the use of the same weapons or sensors for nuclear and conventional weapons--could lead to nuclear war. Are they right? This issue brief argues that fears of entanglement leading to nuclear war are misplaced and rest on poor logical and empirical foundations.

FAST THINKING: The Biden-Putin staredown

By Atlantic Council

The meeting was far shorter than anticipated but touched on everything from the Arctic and Ukraine to cyberattacks and human rights. Did Biden or Putin come away with any wins? Can US-Russian relations ever be “stable and predictable,” as Biden desires?

Tensions mount between Belarus dictator and Kremlin

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka's harsh crackdown on anti-regime protests has made him increasingly dependent on the Kremlin, but could Moscow be preparing to use him as a geopolitical pawn?

State of the Order: Assessing May 2021

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

EU-US tech cooperation: Strengthening transatlantic relations in data-driven economies

By Juraj Majcin (Guest Author)

The window of opportunity for an agreement between the United States and European Union (EU) on a common tech rulebook is open once again. In December 2020, the European Commission, encouraged by the victory of ardent Atlanticist Joseph Biden in the US presidential election, issued A New EU-US Agenda for Global Change, an ambitious proposal for strengthening and broadening the transatlantic relationship in multiple key domains including technology governance.

What does the Arab Street think of China and Russia? The answers may surprise you.

By Li-Chen Sim and Lucille Greer

Are perceptions about China and Russia shared by MENA elites and the public? Building on previous posts that analyzed MENA’s interests in engaging these states, we answer these questions by examining polling data across MENA and within particular states.

FAST THINKING: A new era for NATO

By Atlantic Council

The band is back together: NATO allies gathered at a Monday summit in Brussels. How will the meeting shape NATO’s future, and what cracks did it reveal in the Alliance?