Europe

As the European strategic autonomy debate has heated up over the past few years, there has been increasing discussion about the idea of a pan-European nuclear deterrent. Yet numerous obstacles stand in the way of realizing this ambition in the short- to medium-term.

The election of President-elect Joe Biden has raised hopes for a reinvigoration of transatlantic relations. But the specter of US isolationism as well as economic pressures from Covid-19 will continue to limit NATO engagement.

A new round of Franco-German debate has once again raised the question of European strategic autonomy as current efforts to increase defense capabilities have largely failed to live up to their potential.

As the U.S. presidential election looms, it is certain U.S.-EU relations would improve under a Biden administration, however structural shifts in U.S. foreign policy make it unlikely that a change in leadership would heal all transatlantic divisions.

Amid popular protests demanding his resignation, will Belarusian President Lukashenko continue to balance relations with both Russia and NATO, or will economic and political realities force him to finally choose a side?

After a surprisingly poor showing in Montenegro’s recent parliamentary elections, the ruling pro-Western Democratic Party of Socialists could lose control of the government for the first time in three decades. A potential coalition led by the opposition Democratic Front party would seek closer ties with Russia and Serbia, undermining the geopolitical stability of the region.