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Friday November 20, 2009

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Europe

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioProtecting Putin's Protection Racket

Clifford G. Gaddy and Barry W. Ickes, November 11, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Protecting Putin's Protection RacketWhen Putin took power in 2000, he established a protection deal among powerful business owners. Clifford Gaddy and Barry Ickes discuss the intricacies of this arrangement and what message a recent suit against one of the country’s leading business newspapers is meant to send. Read More

Russia, Politics, Business, BRICs, Media & Journalism

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Four Who Ended the Cold War

Strobe Talbott, November 09, 2009, The Brookings Institution

The Four Who Ended the Cold WarThe twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Monday has become for many a celebration of Ronald Reagan’s starring role in the demise of the Evil Empire, writes Brookings President Strobe Talbott. But, he says, it was a group of four who ended the Cold War peacefully: Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin and the calm—and calming—"air traffic controller" George H.W. Bush. Read More

Diplomacy, Europe

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAround the Halls: 20 Years After the Berlin Wall Fell

Johannes F. Linn, Steven Pifer, Federiga Bindi and Capt. Anthony Popiel (USCG), November 09, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Around the Halls: 20 Years After the Berlin Wall FellNovember 9 marks the twenty-year anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall. With protests in the week prior totaling over one million, refugees were allowed to exit directly through crossing points between East Berlin and West Berlin and all along the border. In the days and weeks to follow the Wall would continue to fall, leading the way for Germany’s reunification. Experts from around the halls of Brookings respond to this historic anniversary. Read More

Europe, Defense Strategy, Diplomacy

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioThe European Union’s Eastern Partnership, Energy Security and U.S.-EU Cooperation

Monday, November 02, 2009
1:30 PM to 5:45 PM
Washington, DC

On November 2, the Center on United States and Europe and the Energy Security Initiative at Brookings co-hosted a conference on the European Union’s Eastern Partnership with the Embassy of Poland, the Delegation of the European Commission, the Embassy of Sweden and the Heinrich Boll Foundation. The Frontiers of Europe conference discussed the Eastern Partnership’s potential—and the challenges it will face—in achieving its stated goals of promoting democratic values and good governance; strengthening energy security; and fostering stability and economic development. Read More

Europe, European Union, Eastern Europe, Energy Security

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioTowards a Post-American Europe: A Power Audit of EU-U.S. Relations

Jeremy Shapiro and Nick Witney, November 02, 2009, European Council on Foreign Relations

Jeremy Shapiro and Nick Witney examine transatlantic relations in what they call a "post-American world" that is witnessing increasingly redistributed power. Shapiro and Witney argue that the real threat to the transatlantic relationship comes not from the remaking of America's global strategy, but from European governments' failure to come to terms with how the world is changing. Read More

Europe, European Union, Transatlantic Relations

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioJean Pisani-Ferry on the Transatlantic Economy After the Global Financial Crisis

Monday, October 26, 2009
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Washington, DC

On October 26, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings hosted Jean Pisani-Ferry, a leading French economist, to deliver the Sixth Annual Raymond Aron Lecture. Mr. Pisani-Ferry assessed the impact of the global financial crisis on the closely intertwined economies of Europe and the United States, and their influence on the world economy. Read More

Global Financial Crisis, Transatlantic Relations, Europe, U.S. Economy, European Union

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons

Walter Kälin, October 26, 2009, United Nations General Assembly

The Human Rights of Internally Displaced PersonsSince 2004 there have been encouraging trends related to internal displacement. Walter Kälin notes that the use of the Guiding Principles as the relevant framework for protecting IDPs and the development of national and regional laws and policies on internal displacement have been positive trends. However, despite such positive trends, the challenges presented by climate change, the disregard for civilian populations in conflict zones, a shrinking humanitarian space, and protracted displacement situations still remain unchanged. Read More

Internal Displacement, Human Rights, United Nations, Climate Change, Natural Disasters

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioBruxelles: è il momento di fare in fretta

Federiga Bindi, October 23, 2009, Aspen Institute Italia

The Lisbon Treaty has raised many questions regarding governance of the European Union.  Federiga Bindi explains why she believes European Council will use its October meeting to choose the new European Commission.

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European Union, Governance, Europe

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioVice President Biden Travels to Central Europe

Steven Pifer, October 20, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Vice President Biden Travels to Central EuropeVice President Biden left Washington early on October 20 for a quick trip to Central Europe, where he will reassure the region of continued U.S. interest and support. Steven Pifer examines the concerns of several NATO member states and offers suggestions for the future of U.S. engagement in the area. Read More

Europe, NATO, Russia, Foreign Policy, Missile Defense

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My Portfolio"Coping" with the G-20: Italy and the Challenge of Global Governance

Domenico Lombardi, October 16, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Replacing the G8 with the G-20 poses a delicate issue for smaller G8 countries, such as Italy. Some fear this move will dilute their perceived role and influence in the world stage. Domenico Lombardi discusses the dynamics of the G-20's more diverse membership and what role Italy can realistically pursue in an "enlarged" global governance setting. Read More

Italy , G-20 Summit, Global Governance, Europe, Global Economics

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe European Union, Lisbon and the Office Hunt

Federiga Bindi, October 12, 2009, The Brookings Institution

The European Union, Lisbon and the Office HuntThe Lisbon Treaty finally secured Irish ratification on October 2, but there are still many obstacles to overcome before the EU can put Lisbon into action. The treaty is not yet fully ratified and many key details, including the selection of leaders to fill the High Representative and EU President posts, remain unresolved. Federiga Bindi explains why Lisbon is important, and describes the intricate negotiation process the EU will undergo in coming months. Read More

European Union, Europe, Governance

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioThe European Union’s Destiny After the Irish Vote on the Lisbon Treaty

Monday, October 05, 2009
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Washington, DC

The Irish recently ratified the Lisbon Treaty, a far-reaching reorganization of the European Union (EU). On October 5, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings and the Heinrich Böll Foundation hosted a panel of experts to discuss the expected changes in the European Union and the implications for the United States. Read More

European Union, Europe

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioGlobal Trends and Shocks in the National Security Environment: Russia and Eurasia

Steven Pifer, October 01, 2009, Potomac Books, Inc.

In this chapter of Fighting Chance, prepared for a September 2007 conference, Steven Pifer assesses potential challenges posed by a more assertive Russia. Pifer examines demographic, societal and economic trends in Russia that could create strategic shocks for the region and world over the next several decades. Read More

Russia, Europe, Caucasus, Asia, Energy Security

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAl Qaeda's New Charm Offensive in Europe

Bruce Riedel, September 27, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Al Qaeda's New Charm Offensive in EuropeOsama bin Laden and Mullah Omar recently delivered messages warning Europe about the perils of staying in Afghanistan. After speaking with French officials while in Paris, Bruce Riedel concludes that NATO ally France understands the stakes and will stay in Afghanistan if America stays. Read More

Terrorism, Afghanistan, Europe

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioA Better Base for Cutting Nuclear Weapons

Strobe Talbott, September 20, 2009, Financial Times

A Better Base for Cutting Nuclear WeaponsPresident Obama's decision to rethink and revamp the plan for Poland-based defenses against Iranian missiles was met with some criticism at home and in Eastern Europe for giving too much to Russia. However, argues Brookings President Strobe Talbott, the new strategy is a pragmatic step to counter Iran's real short-range missile threat, strengthens the transatlantic alliance, and better serves the goals of U.S.-Russian strategic arms reduction. Read More

Arms Control, Nuclear Weapons, NATO, Europe, Iran

In Brief

Europe, though a small continent in terms of geography, encompasses some 50 nations and territories comprising the world's largest economy. From the North Atlantic coast to the shores of the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas, Europe includes converging and diverging political, economic, and cultural histories, alliances, and ideals. U.S. relations with Europe and its multifaceted nations, peoples and institutions—such as NATO and the European Union—are among the most comprehensive and strategically important partnerships in the world.

Featured Experts

Steven Pifer

Steven Pifer

Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe

A former ambassador to Ukraine, Steven Pifer’s career as a Foreign Service officer centered on Europe, the former Soviet Union and arms control. In addition to Kyiv, he had postings in London, Moscow, Geneva and Warsaw as well as on the National Security Council. He is focusing on Ukraine and Russia issues at Brookings.
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Jeremy Shapiro

Jeremy Shapiro

Director of Research, Center on the United States and Europe

Jeremy Shapiro is an expert on civil-military relations, Europe, France, military operations and National Security, and was previously a political and defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. In June and July 2009, Shapiro served on a civilian assessment team in Afghanistan, contributing to U.S. commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal's strategic review process.
Read More

Federiga Bindi

Federiga Bindi

Visiting Fellow, Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe

Federiga Bindi is a leading expert on European political integration. She has a broad experience in government and held a number of posts in international organizations. Bindi currently serves as an advisor to the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Her research focuses on the EU, transatlantic relations; EU states foreign policies, global governance issues.
Read More

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Spotlight

Policy CenterCenter on Children and Families

The Center on Children and Families studies policies on the well-being of America's children and their parents and seeks a more effective means of addressing poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity in the United States.

TopicHealth Care

Brookings is committed to producing innovative policy solutions to our nation’s most difficult challenges. The country may face no more important domestic policy challenge than the much-needed reform of our health care system. Through an institution-wide effort, Brookings delivers new ideas and offers policy solutions to improve health care both at home and globally.

ExpertVanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown focuses on the national security implications of illicit economies and strategies for managing them. She is an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

Research ProjectLatin America Initiative

The Latin America Initiative provides high-quality, in-depth, and independent research across a range of economic and political issues, and offers policy recommendations aimed at U.S. and Latin American policymakers.

ExpertIsabel V. Sawhill

A nationally known budget expert, Isabel Sawhill focuses on domestic poverty and federal fiscal policy. She is also co-director of the Center on Children and Families at Brookings.

ExpertAmy Liu

Amy Liu is deputy director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. Her policy studies include economic competitiveness, metropolitan growth and development, governance reforms, urban reinvestment, and social equity.

Policy CenterEngelberg Center for Health Care Reform

The Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform provides practical solutions to achieve high-quality, innovative, affordable health care with particular emphasis on identifying opportunities on the national, state and local levels.

ExpertDomenico Lombardi

As president of the Oxford Institute for Economic Policy, Domenico Lombardi’s work at Brookings focuses on the international financial crisis and the reform of the IMF and the World Bank. He is an expert on G-20 and G8 Summits.

ExpertFederiga Bindi

Federiga Bindi is a leading expert on European political integration. She has a broad experience in government and held a number of posts in international organizations. Bindi currently serves as an advisor to the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Her research focuses on the EU, transatlantic relations; EU states foreign policies, global governance issues.

ExpertMark McClellan

Mark McClellan works on promoting high-quality, innovative and affordable health care. Once commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. McClellan now directs the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform.

ExpertMwangi S. Kimenyi

Mwangi S. Kimenyi is a senior fellow with the Africa Growth Initiative. He focuses on Africa's development, including institutions for economic growth, the political economy, and private sector development.

Research ProjectBrookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement

The Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement monitors displacement problems worldwide, works with governments, regional bodies, international organizations and civil society to create more effective policies and institutional arrangements for Internally Displaed Persons.

ExpertTed Gayer

Ted Gayer is the co-director of the Economic Studies program and the Joseph A. Pechman Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He conducts research on a variety of economic issues, focusing particularly on public finance, environmental and energy economics, housing, and regulatory policy.

TopicEducation

The economic and political well-being of any society requires a well-educated citizenry. Brookings’s work extends beyond the K-12 bookends to include pre-school interventions, higher education and the challenges of education in developing countries.