Southern and Southeastern Europe

Southern and Southeastern Europe

Southern and Southeastern Europe play a critical role in the transatlantic community, given their close proximity to the EU’s Southern Neighborhood and NATO’s Southern Flank. The region has faced significant economic challenges in recent years, along with an influx of migrants and foreign interference. While these concerns persist in some countries, the region has seen rapid economic growth, a revival of democratic institutions, and new opportunities for leadership in major international organizations.

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Deal will ‘Weaken’ Greece’s Tsipras

Report
Nov 10, 2025

Italy’s policy on China: The Belt and Road gamble and its aftermath

By
Valbona Zeneli

From the Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative, Italy’s relationship with China has shifted from early enthusiasm to cautious recalibration. Once Europe’s gateway for Beijing’s ambitions, Rome now frames its China policy around transatlantic solidarity, balancing economic opportunity with strategic prudence.

China
Economy & Business

Deal will ‘Weaken’ Greece’s Tsipras

Report
Nov 10, 2025

Greece’s policy on China: Debt-era deals and recalibration

By
Valbona Zeneli

From the port of Piraeus to Brussels, Greece’s China policy has evolved from enthusiastic engagement and post-crisis dependency to strategic caution. Today, Athens’s is balancing economic pragmatism with transatlantic security commitments.

China
Economy & Business

Deal will ‘Weaken’ Greece’s Tsipras

Report
May 20, 2025

The European Union Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A reality test for EU enlargement

By
Valbona Zeneli, Richard Grieveson, Isabelle Ioannides, Dimitar Bechev

EU enlargement faces a test case in the Western Balkans. The current plan offers real benefits before accession, creating incentives for reform, but questions of enforceability and the relatively low amount of financial support threaten the success of the EU’s political influence in the region.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

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Content

Europe After The Vote

Jul 13, 2015

Deal will ‘Weaken’ Greece’s Tsipras

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Domestic Politics Weighed Heavily on Greek Negotiations, says Atlantic Council’s Fran Burwell The terms of an agreement between Greece and its Eurozone creditors are tough, but there is an implicit recognition that austerity alone is not the answer, says the Atlantic Council’s Fran Burwell. “There needs to be solidarity within the Eurozone and one has […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Europe After The Vote

Jul 13, 2015

Not Yet a Done Deal with Greece

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Andrea Montanino sees onerous limitations on Greek sovereignty A deal that paves the way to negotiations on a third bailout for Greece imposes tough limitations on Greek sovereignty that could endanger Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ government, says the Atlantic Council’s Andrea Montanino. Montanino said it is premature to declare that marathon negotiations over […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Europe After The Vote

Jul 10, 2015

Gramer and Rizzo: Five Reasons NATO Fears a Grexit

By Robbie Gramer and Rachel Rizzo

Transatlantic Security Initiative Assistant Director Robbie Gramer and Brent Scowcroft Center Program Assistant Rachel Rizzo write for Politico Europe on why Putin would receive a major boost from Greece leaving the eurozone:

Greece NATO

Europe After The Vote

Jul 10, 2015

Slavin Moderates Issues in the News

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice Of America’s Issues in the News to moderate a discussion on the Greek crisis, the Iran nuclear deal, and the US strategy to combat ISIS:

Greece Iran

Report

Jul 9, 2015

The impact of Turkish Stream on European energy security and the Southern Gas Corridor

By John Roberts

Russia has proposed building a major new pipeline intended to carry gas to customers in both Turkey and the European Union. The project, dubbed Turkish Stream, is controversial and is of profound significance for European energy security.

European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security

Europe After The Vote

Jul 9, 2015

Every Effort Being Made to Avoid Grexit, says European Commission’s Dombrovskis

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Official says Greece needs to be credible partner to avoid Eurozone exit Every effort is being made to keep Greece in the Eurozone, but the Greek government has to show that it can be a genuine partner by presenting a credible reform proposal in its bid to secure a bailout, a senior European Commission official […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Europe After The Vote

Jul 9, 2015

Financial Times Highlights Atlantic Council Conference Call on Greece

By Atlantic Council

Financial Times quotes European Commissioner for the Euro and Social Dialogue Valdis Dombrovskis from an Atlantic Council conference call to discuss the Greek debt crisis:

Greece

In the News

Jul 9, 2015

Montanino on Russian Threat in Greece

By Andrea Montanino

Agence France-Presse quotes Global Business and Economics Program Director Andrea Montanino on the threat of Russian exploitation of a fragile Greece:

Greece

Europe After The Vote

Jul 7, 2015

IMF Has to Change its Policies Because of Greece

By Anders Åslund

The Greek economic tragedy has damaged all those involved. That is also true of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In May 2010, the IMF approved its biggest financial assistance program ever for Greece—no less than €30 billion—resulting in current Greek obligations of €21.2 billion to the IMF, though the European Union (EU) credits to Greece […]

European Union Greece

EconoGraphics

Jul 7, 2015

How Does Greece’s Public Debt Compare to Puerto Rico’s?

By Global Business and Economics

As Greece reaches crisis over its debts to Europe, Puerto Rico's public debt has reached an impressive $72 billion, nearly 70% of its economic output. Meanwhile, Greece has slashed the growth of its debt since 2012.

Economy & Business Greece
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Experts

Fellow

Daniel E. Mouton

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Cameron Munter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center South Asia Center

National Security Conflict

Fellow

Gabriele Natalizia

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia Italian

Fellow

Nicholas O’Connell

Nonresident Fellow

Europe Center

Civil Society Elections

Fellow

Stjepan Orešković

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Croatian Economy & Business

Staff

Jacopo Pastorelli

Program Assistant

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
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