Europe and Eurasia | Council on Foreign Relations

Syria

Syrians Plot Transition, Turmoil in Georgia and Romania, UK Joins Trans-Pacific Trade Deal, and More

Syrians begin the early stages of government formation as global and regional powers scramble to devise a strategy for Syria after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad; Georgians protest their government’s postponement of European Union (EU) membership talks as Romanians look for answers following the cancellation of their presidential election results; the United Kingdom (UK) accedes to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership; and China opens an anti-monopoly case against U.S. chipmaker Nvidia.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins December 12, 2024 The World Next Week
China Strategy Initiative

No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy

China and Russia’s quasi-alliance endangers U.S. national interests. Its management will prove a generational task for American policymakers—but there are grounds for optimism, argue CFR Senior Fellow Robert Blackwill and Center for a New American Security CEO Richard Fontaine.

Council Special Report by Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine December 12, 2024 China Strategy Initiative
Syria

What Assad’s Fall Means for Russia in the Middle East

The flight of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to exile in Russia poses a major strategic challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the Kremlin’s influence in Syria and the region should not be downplayed yet.

Expert Brief by Thomas Graham December 10, 2024 Europe Program

Elections and Voting

Ten Elections to Watch in 2025

Numerous countries will hold elections in 2025. Here are ten to watch.

Article by James M. Lindsay December 10, 2024 The Water's Edge
Authoritarianism

Alliance of Autocracies: Part 3

While the “big four” autocratic powers dominate attention, a broader and increasingly interconnected network of authoritarian states poses an equally significant but underappreciated threat to global stability.

Post by Joshua Kurlantzick December 10, 2024 Asia Unbound
Ukraine

A Conversation With Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine

Dmytro Kuleba discusses Ukraine’s strategic position in the war with Russia, and evaluates how the incoming Donald Trump administration might influence Ukraine’s international relations and policies. This meeting is part of the Council Special Initiative on Securing Ukraine’s Future and is part of the Wachenheim Program on Peace and Security. The program is made possible by the generous support of the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation. For those attending virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.

Virtual Event by Dmytro Kuleba and Paula J. Dobriansky December 9, 2024

Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy

The New, Broader Alliance of Autocracies

As a growing alliance of autocratic states deepens its cooperation to challenge democracies worldwide, its expanding influence remains largely overlooked by policymakers.

Post by Joshua Kurlantzick December 9, 2024 Asia Unbound
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: New UN Report Finds Women Most At-Risk of Violence in Their Own Homes

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers November 23 to December 6.

Post by Noël James and Uma Fox December 6, 2024 Women Around the World
Syria

What Role Is Turkey Playing in Syria’s Civil War?

Turkey opposes the Assad regime, but the fall of the government could disrupt Ankara’s aims to reverse refugee flows and defeat Kurdish forces in Syria’s north.

Expert Brief by Henri J. Barkey December 6, 2024 Middle East Program
South Korea

Turmoil in South Korea, French Government Collapses, Syrian Rebels Reignite Conflict, and More

Impeachment looms for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose declaration of martial law spurred mass protests; French lawmakers passed the first no-confidence vote in more than sixty years, as the country is set to mark the the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral; Syrian rebels continue a surprise offensive against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after seizing the cities of Aleppo and Hama; and U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump threatens 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins December 5, 2024 The World Next Week
Lebanon

What’s Happening in Lebanon? A Guide to the War-Torn Democracy

An array of domestic and foreign powers are vying for influence in Lebanon, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, Hezbollah, Israel, Iran, Syria, and the United States.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters December 3, 2024
United States

Ten Anniversaries to Note in 2025

As 2024 comes to a close, here are ten notable historical anniversaries to mark in 2025.

Post by James M. Lindsay December 3, 2024 The Water's Edge
Ukraine

A Conversation With Former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko

Petro Poroshenko discusses Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia and the role of U.S. and NATO support. Please note there is no virtual component to the meeting. The audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.

Event with Petro Poroshenko and Liana Fix December 2, 2024
Ukraine

It Is Not Too Late: A Case for Long-Range Strikes Against Russia

President Joe Biden's decision to loosen restrictions on the use of U.S.-supplied long-range missile systems could give Ukraine a window of opportunity to make strategic gains in its war against Russia.

Article by Douglas Lute November 26, 2024
Europe

Europe Reacts to Trump’s Victory, With Liana Fix and Matthias Matthijs (Transition 2025, Episode 4)

Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at CFR and adjunct professor at Georgetown University, and Matthias Matthijs, a senior fellow for Europe at CFR and associate professor of international political economy at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how governments across Europe are preparing for a second Trump administration. This episode is the fourth in a special TPI series on the U.S. 2025 presidential transition and is supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay , Liana Fix and Matthias Matthijs November 26, 2024 The President’s Inbox