Europe & Eurasia

#ElectionWatch: Trumped Up and Down in Macedonia

By Vladimir Petreski

Ahead of Macedonia’s naming referendum on September 30, the boycott proponents attempted to disparage similar nationalist sentiment in the United States.

TRADE IN ACTION September 21, 2018

By Global Business & Economics Program

Ukrainian patriarch warns Russia will exploit split in Orthodox Church

By David A. Wemer

In remarks at the Atlantic Council in Washington on September 19, he warned that to stop further aggression by Moscow, “we need to stop [Russian President Vladimir] Putin at Ukraine.”

Toward long-term solidarity with Syrian refugees? Turkey’s policy response and challenges

By Laura Batalla & Juliette Tolay

Open door, camps and temporary protection have been at the core of Turkey’s approach. But an uninterrupted inflow of refugees, as well as a complicated foreign and domestic political environment, has put some limitations on Turkey’s welcome.

Will Ukraine’s Presidential Candidates Ever Get Real?

By Melinda Haring

This year’s Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference, known as the Ukrainian Davos, did not disappoint. Held in Kyiv on September 13-15, the meeting featured the obligatory celebrities and A-list dazzle. Bono turned up in purple-tinted glasses. Host Victor Pinchuk unveiled a silver spaceship-like creation by Japanese artist Marico Mori urging everyone to focus on the […]

Meet the young talent that will outlast and might outdo Ukraine’s old guard

By Marta Sydoryak

Ukrainian Leadership Academy seeks to raise up a generation of talented young people who are already taking responsibility for their country in order to influence Ukraine’s reform process and politics. Its strategy is long-term.  

Iran’s Alliance With Russia in Syria: Marriage of Convenience or Strategic Partnership?

By Sina Azodi and Arman Mahmoudian

Russia’s alliance with Iran to buttress embattled Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is approaching a critical phase, as pro-government forces consider how to retake Idlib province, the last major stronghold of Syrian rebels. While this alliance has successfully shifted the balance of power in favor of the Syrian government, it will likely not lead to a […]

President Bush backs Macedonia in NATO, urges participation in historic referendum

By Damon Wilson

This may be a now-or-never moment for Macedonia. Its failure to gain accession to NATO in 2008 ushered in a decade of stagnation and political crisis, which the country is poised to overcome.