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New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2020

Why a Kosovo-Serbia White House deal could be dangerous

By Molly Montgomery

While the Trump administration and the EU have both flirted with the idea of territorial exchanges at times over the past three years, experts on both sides of the Atlantic fear the precedent such an agreement would set in a region where nationalists regularly demand secession or union with ethnic brethren. Even if Pandora’s box could be closed, the implementation of such an agreement would almost certainly result in de facto ethnic cleansing, heightened tensions, and the potential for renewed violence.

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2020

Don’t count on a White House Kosovo-Serbia breakthrough

By Dimitar Bechev

Setting expectations high would be ill-advised. For one, Vučić has no incentive to rush with recognizing Kosovo. Prishtina, meanwhile, will view the removal of tariffs on Serbia as having done its share, and will seek concessions. Europeans and Americans should be working side by side, pooling their leverage to move forward normalization. But sadly, this is less and less the case recently.

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

UkraineAlert

Jun 2, 2020

Trump’s G7 invite for Putin will encourage more war

By Yuliia Popyk

US President Donald Trump wants to invite Vladimir Putin to the next G7 summit, despite the Russian leader's refusal to end the aggression against Ukraine that led to his initial suspension from G8 in 2014.

Conflict France

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

Italian, Spanish diplomats stress EU solidarity in wake of COVID-19 economic response

By Larry Luxner

Top officials from Italy and Spain—the two European Union member states hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic—praised the EU’s May 27 announcement of a €750 billion ($826.5 billion) recovery program to rescue the bloc from its worst economic crisis in its history.

Coronavirus Eurozone

New Atlanticist

May 27, 2020

COVID-19 will not change Italy’s Euro-Atlantic position, defense minister says

By Francesco Bechis

"Many countries have shown solidarity toward Italy in an extraordinary situation. We talk to everyone, but the pillars of our security are NATO and the European Union, and these shall remain," Guerini said.

Coronavirus Italy

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2020

Partial Eurobond not the answer to Europe’s coronavirus economic downturn

By Bart Oosterveld

Some have argued that a partial Eurobond instrument, backed for example by France, Italy, and Spain, could be set up as a risk sharing and/or solidarity tool to partially finance the recovery out of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. This is a truly awful idea as such an instrument would deliver none of the potential benefits of a Eurobond, while simultaneously creating asymmetric risks on capital markets.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2020

What German reunification can teach Kosovo

By Artan Behrami

A reunified Germany has become an inspiration for the people of Kosovo who seek freedom and independence, even in the face of opponents in their region. But Kosovo’s leaders and the international community should heed several lessons from Germany’s example.

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Apr 17, 2020

Polls show concerning effect of Chinese coronavirus charm offensive in Italy

By Francesco Bechis

Italy has a geopolitical problem. An April 7 opinion poll showed for the first time that Italians look more to China than to the United States as a potential international partner. The SWG research institute captured an unprecedented situation in the long-term transatlantic friendship as when asked, "Who should Italy look more to develop their international alliances outside of Europe?" 36 percent of Italians indicated China, while only 30 percent chose their historic American ally.

China Coronavirus

Stories of Resilience

Apr 8, 2020

Refugee women: The most vulnerable and yet the most resilient in this pandemic

By Priyali Sur & Vanessa Davaroukas

Refugee women will be disproportionately affected by COVID-19, living in densely populated conditions without government support. Yet their resilience and sense of personal agency is inspiring others around the globe.

Coronavirus Greece

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2020

COVID-19 in the Western Balkans

By Dimitar Bechev

COVID-19 overshadowed two major developments in the region: the EU decision to open membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, as well as North Macedonia’s formal accession to NATO on March 27. In normal circumstances, this would have been huge news. Yet now the pandemic leaves little bandwidth for other matters, even in the Western Balkans.

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

Experts