The tax marathon still has some rough terrain to cover before reaching the finish line
In-Depth Research & Analysis
Analysis & Commentary
Bloodied But Unbowed: Belarusian Opposition Fights On
Though the opposition to the current regime in Belarus faces a long struggle with many challenges ahead, its supporters show no signs of quitting
Unhappy Iran Battles for Lost Influence in South Caucasus
Tension with Azerbaijan dies down but underlying differences are likely to widen
Quixotic Poland Seeks to Reshape the EU
Poland’s most recent government “reforms” to exert political control over the judiciary are the latest in an ongoing effort to fundamentally change the nature of the EU.
Data Divergences Torpedo Transatlantic Cybersecurity Plans
Beyond these basic similarities in encouraging cybersecurity, the two sides disagree on key points
Help Ukraine or Risk an American Waterloo
The U.S. must now stand, unbending, with Ukraine to reassert the rules-based international order
Poland Throws Down the Gauntlet to EU
Poles may sour on a government whose actions are perceived to jeopardize their EU membership for the sake of policies that few believe are working
Goodbye Gottwald
Czech Communists shuffle off into history. High time
Russia: Lost in Space
The glory days of Russia’s Roscosmos are behind it; the agency is now engaged in an arid blame game
Insularity Wins Georgia’s Elections
Recurrent internal troubles create fertile ground for malign influence in Georgia
Weaponizing Decency to Beat China’s Malign Rulers
China’s communists have every intention of dominating the West and the world; the reinforcement of democratic values and the lure of fundamental rights can help stop them.
![Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with French National Security Advisor Emmanuel Bonne in Paris, France, on October 5, 2021. [State Department photo by Ron Przysucha/ Public Domain]](https://cepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Secretary-Blinken-Meets-With-French-National-Security-Advisor-Bonne.jpg)
France’s Indo-Pacific Moment
As EU leaders move towards a more independent foreign policy in the wake of AUKUS, the U.S. will need to reassess its strategy in order to include long-term allies
Lukashenka’s Pliant Parliament Pledges New Repression
The measures effectively remove the chance to vote for anti-regime candidates
How the U.S. Got the Upper Hand in the OECD Tax Reforms
Incredibly, the United States may throw away its victory
Missing from the Pittsburgh Agenda
The Trade and Technology Council avoids key transatlantic challenges
Czech Voters Face the Illiberalism Test
The Czech Republic’s billionaire prime minister may follow the Polish-Hungarian path if he wins this week’s parliamentary vote, upsetting the European Union.
Alexei Navalny and the West’s Schröderizatsiya
Navalny not only exposes a mirror to the destruction of human rights in Russia, but he also holds a mirror up to our own complicity in his persecution
How to Nurture a Tech Unicorn
Villig’s own success, and that of Estonia, offers the continent a beacon of hope
Dithering EU Puts Balkans at Risk
The EU must be consistent about its messaging, lest it lose its ability to help build a Europe whole, free, and at peace.
A Political Animal
Your columnist returns to his roots
In-Depth Research
Close to the Wind: Executive Summary
The security of the Baltic Sea region will continue to be determined by the climate of east-west relations and EU-NATO cohesion.
Close to the Wind: Background – State of Play
In the Baltic Sea region Russia has strengthened its quantitative and qualitative advantage.
Close to the Wind: The Bigger Picture – The Strategic Context
The United States and its allies are in the process of a contentious, protracted, and belated effort to assess and respond to the threats from Russia and China, amid disruptive economic, technological, and public health challenges.
Close to the Wind: What Russia Wants
The Kremlin aims to be the dominant power in Eurasia, using Russia’s size to exert strong influence over its neighbors and to bargain with big countries on an equal basis.
Close to the Wind: The Military Threat
Russia’s military capabilities and plans, coupled with the changing nature of warfare and the disadvantageous topography of the Baltic states, shape the strategic outlook for the Baltic Sea region.
Close to the Wind: Balancing the Books
Alliance credibility — or lack of it — is, therefore, the key factor in regional security. It should not be taken for granted.
Close to the Wind: Too Many Cooks, Not Enough Broth
The operational and strategic roles of the different headquarters involved in the Baltic Sea region are unclear, and to outsiders even bewildering.
Close to the Wind: Conclusion – Shortcomings and Gaps
The security of the Atlantic alliance and all its member states is only as strong as that of its weakest and most peripheral members.
What the United States Can Learn from Estonia on E-Governance
The building blocks of a seamless digital society
Building Common Ground in Transatlantic Cybersecurity – A Baltic Approach
As sectors continue to grow more dependent on data flows, cybersecurity threats are becoming a bigger priority for the United States and the European Union.