Retired Army Colonel Fitz Fitzpatrick discusses the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defense Policy and the EU’s efforts to address crises in Libya, Ukraine and Syria. He argues that the EU has struggled to establish foreign and defense policies that are independent from the United States, and only an existential crisis will push the EU to fulfill its potential as an actor on the world stage.
What stance should the European Union take on Catalan secession and membership for separatist regions of member states? SAIS student Emily Ashby explores the legal rationale and precedents for Catalonia’s secession under Spanish national law, European law, and international law. She argues that both the weak legal case and the political nature of the EU membership process constrain the EU’s policy options.
In this article, author Joniel Cha investigates current trends in Russian natural gas production and exports, focusing on its role in the European energy markets. He analyzes how Russia uses natural gas production for its geopolitical strategy, the policies of different European countries, the effects of external shocks, and other strengths and weaknesses of the Russian gas sector to assess its future as supplier to Europe.
Author Edmund Ruge revisits the German Sociologist Max Weber's theory of international development to see how Weber's theory, as expressed in his classic book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism are still relevant today in the field of international development. Edmund Ruge then juxtaposes Weber's theory of development with two other theories of development that were proposed by Karl Marx and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
Author Joniel Cha highlights the details of the recent polio outbreak in Ukraine, and presents key factors explaining Ukraine's failure to adequately respond and contain it. Cha then suggests policy prescriptions aimed at stopping the outbreak and eradicating poliovirus from Ukraine.
Author Ali Cinar argues that leaders from both Turkey and NATO should reaffirm their mutual strategic commitments, as cooperation is imperative to advancing the interests of leaders in Turkey and other NATO partner countries, such as effectively fighting ISIS and managing other threats emanating from the Middle East.
Author Adam Millsap asserts that the liberalization of labor markets in France and other European countries would address concerns of immigrant assimilation by providing more economic opportunity for immigrants, which would make it easier for them to adjust to their new surroundings. He concludes that labor market liberalization could also provide long-term economic prosperity for all in France.
Author Abigail Adams examines the primary obstacles to EU accession that faced Romania and Bulgaria, as well as the difficulties in maintaining EU standards that both countries have faced since 2007, and offers prescriptions on how to develop more successful EU accession processes.
This two part series will look at Muslims in France to provide insight into the alienation, victimization, and frustration that is radicalizing some French Muslims to committing the recent terrorist attacks in France.
This two part series will look at Muslims in France to provide insight into the alienation, victimization, and frustration that is radicalizing some French Muslims to committing the recent terrorist attacks in France.
The crisis in Ukraine and the civil war prevailing in Syria have raised deep concerns over the European Union's ability to act as a credible actor in foreign affairs. So, has the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) failed to meet its objectives? What are the challenges facing the ENP?
Ted R. Bromund, Adjunct Professor with the Strategic Studies Program at SAIS, and Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, examines the rise of Euroscepticism in post-war Great Britain.