Europe and Eurasia | Council on Foreign Relations

United Kingdom

What’s Next for Scotland’s Independence Movement?

The victory of pro-independence parties in Scotland’s elections means that another referendum is on the agenda. What’s at stake, and what comes next?

In Brief by David J. Scheffer and Madeline Babin May 13, 2021
Nigeria

Germany to Return Some African Art to Nigeria

The German minister of culture has announced plans to return hundreds of art objects to Nigeria. Their provenance is the Benin Royal Palace—located in Benin City, which is situated in southern Nigeri…

Blog Post by John Campbell May 12, 2021 Africa in Transition
Coronavirus

By How Much Are Countries Underreporting COVID-19 Cases and Deaths?

As COVID-19 continues to ravage countries including Brazil and India, scientists warn that cases and deaths are being undercounted. Without accurate tallies, government responses won’t be enough to defeat outbreaks.

In Brief by Claire Felter May 10, 2021

Experts in this Region

Robert D. Blackwill

Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy

Thomas Graham

Distinguished Fellow

Charles A. Kupchan

Senior Fellow

Stephen Sestanovich

George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

The alliance is bringing its twenty-year mission in Afghanistan to a close in 2021, as it looks to bolster its military deterrent in Europe and provide security assistance in the Middle East and Horn of Africa.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters May 6, 2021
Competitiveness

The Future of Strategic Arms Control

To manage the increasingly stark geopolitical power shifts of the past decade-plus, the United States should pursue arms control strategies that regulate rivalry and introduce a broader array of reciprocal restraints.

Report by Rebecca Lissner April 29, 2021 Center for Preventive Action
Europe

The Belt and Road Initiative: Forcing Europe to Reckon with China?

In addition to undermining European unity, BRI may also work to cleave the transatlantic alliance. To head off these dilemmas, Europe will need to provide clear alternatives to Chinese infrastructure spending.

Blog Post by Jennifer Hillman and Alex Tippett April 27, 2021 The Internationalist
United Kingdom

Moving Past the Troubles: The Future of Northern Ireland Peace

The Good Friday Agreement has dampened sectarian tensions and brought stability to Northern Ireland, but Brexit border arrangements and growing dissatisfaction are throwing the region’s hard-won gains into doubt.

Backgrounder by Charles Landow and James McBride April 23, 2021
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: April 23, 2021

Russia responds to U.S. sanctions, expels ten diplomats and eight officials; UK government launches campaign against foreign spies; U.S. lawmakers introduce ambitious anti-surveillance technology bill; Facebook targets two separate Palestinian hacker groups; and the European Union proposes new limits on artificial intelligence.

Blog Post by Adam Segal April 23, 2021 Net Politics
Europe

COVID-19 and the Threat to Press Freedom in Central and Eastern Europe

Restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have increased threats to press freedom in the region, raising questions over how to respond.

In Brief by Mia Speier April 20, 2021
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: April 16, 2021

Data of 1.3 million Clubhouse users leaked online; Biden taps National Security Agency veteran as first national cyber director; Operation to block hacker access to Microsoft Exchange servers approved by Justice Department; The United States imposes new sanctions on Russia for SolarWinds breach; and Romania bars China and Huawei from domestic 5G development.

Blog Post by Adam Segal April 16, 2021 Net Politics
Middle East and North Africa

How Erdogan Got His Groove Back

It’s been a difficult and dizzying few months for Turkey—which is just the way the president likes it.

Article by Steven A. Cook April 8, 2021 Middle East Program
Russia

The Cybersecurity Threat From Russia

While much of the public’s attention over the last year has been on Russian information operations and threats to election integrity, actors tied to Russian intelligence were conducting an espionage campaign with significant impact on U.S. national security. This symposium discusses how the United States, along with its allies, may more effectively respond to Russian cyber operations. The virtual symposium consists of a keynote session followed by a salon discussion on cybersecurity. During the salon discussion, a facilitator will help steer a conversation on how U.S. cyber strategy should change to respond to the threat of cyberattacks from Russia.

Virtual Event by Anne Neuberger April 7, 2021
Wars and Conflict

Nonstate Warfare

Stephen Biddle explains how nonstate military strategies overturn traditional perspectives on warfare.

Book by Stephen Biddle April 6, 2021 National Security and Defense Program
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: April 2, 2021

Russian hackers steal thousands of State Department emails; Facebook and Google plan new undersea cables in the Pacific; President Biden announces infrastructure plan; New Russian law requires domestic software on all devices; and United States and Japan plan chip strategy for April summit.

Blog Post by Adam Segal April 2, 2021 Net Politics
U.S. Foreign Policy

Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. Talk North Korea, the IMF and World Bank Hold Spring Meetings, and More

Top security officials from Japan and South Korea meet with the new U.S. national security advisor, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank host their annual Spring Meetings virtually, and European Union officials convene with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon April 1, 2021 The World Next Week