13 Dec 2017 | Security Watch

In this report, Christian Nünlist, Juhana Aunesluoma and Benno Zogg examine the debates on Europe’s security architecture from 1989 and 1990 that led to the CSCE’s Charter of Paris. More specifically, they carry out this task to 1) reveal lost opportunities to further European security; 2) highlight divergent national narratives about what occurred during this crucial period; and 3) provide a greater understanding of the origins and key elements of the schisms in Russian-Western relations today.

13 Dec 2017 | Security Watch

The Trump administration has threatened to ‘moderate’ its commitment to NATO unless the organization’s European members increase their defense spending and contributions to out-of-area operations. Subsequently, European member state defense spending has risen at a quicker pace. So will this possible ‘Trump effect’ translate into a significant and lasting change? In this article, Peter Viggo Jakobsen and Jens Ringsmose argue that a review of the historical factors that have conditioned burden-sharing in the Alliance suggest that it will not.

13 Dec 2017 | CSS Blog Network

As China’s Belt and Road Initiative winds its way into Europe, what can we do to improve our understanding of the nature of Chinese engagement? According to Michal Romanowski, one way is to look at the ‘16+1’ political format that brings Beijing and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe together. Indeed, Romanowski here identifies four key elements of Chinese activity in the region that were revealed by the most recent 16+1 meeting, which took place in November 2017.

Organizations and Resources Page Partners

Our featured partner this week is the Stimson Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan and research-oriented think tank that works to promote international peace and security, primarily by helping to strengthen institutions, build regional security, reduce the number of weapons of mass destruction, and manage transnational threats.