AN INITIATIVE OF THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS connecting leading global foreign policy institutes
These briefs are a feature of the Council of Councils initiative, gathering opinions from global experts on major international developments.
Developments in the past six months have fed perceptions that, while the EU is not perfect, it is no longer under threat of collapse. However, this emerging perception could induce a dangerously complacent attitude that EU leaders can ill afford. In fact, the EU remains mired in a crisis of confidence and legitimacy of unprecedented proportion. What is needed, therefore, is a sober assessment of the challenges and risks that the EU faces and its possible options to sort out the present crisis and resume a sustainable integration path forward.
Developments in the past six months have fed perceptions that, while the EU is not perfect, it is no longer under threat of collapse. However, this emerging perception could induce a dangerously complacent attitude that EU leaders can ill afford. In fact, the EU remains mired in a crisis of confidence and legitimacy of unprecedented proportion. What is needed, therefore, is a sober assessment of the challenges and risks that the EU faces and its possible options to sort out the present crisis and resume a sustainable integration path forward.
Bartosz Wisniewski of the Polish Institute of International Affairs examines the future of NATO under the Trump administration. He finds that growing tensions in East Asia might serve as a reinforcing argument for those in the United States who urge European NATO members to do more for common defense. And given Trump’s participation, the late May NATO leaders’ meeting in Brussels will be the best opportunity for his administration so far to revisit some basics truths about the value of alliances, and NATO in particular.
Bartosz Wisniewski of the Polish Institute of International Affairs examines the future of NATO under the Trump administration. He finds that growing tensions in East Asia might serve as a reinforcing argument for those in the United States who urge European NATO members to do more for common defense. And given Trump’s participation, the late May NATO leaders’ meeting in Brussels will be the best opportunity for his administration so far to revisit some basics truths about the value of alliances, and NATO in particular.
It remains difficult to predict who will be the eventual winner of France’s upcoming presidential elections, but two of the four candidates that could emerge victorious support policies far outside the traditional French and European consensus. Their extreme positions may lead to the end of French membership in both the EU and the NATO, and consequently unravel the postwar effort to bind the European continent.
It remains difficult to predict who will be the eventual winner of France’s upcoming presidential elections, but two of the four candidates that could emerge victorious support policies far outside the traditional French and European consensus. Their extreme positions may lead to the end of French membership in both the EU and the NATO, and consequently unravel the postwar effort to bind the European continent.
While the protection of data is at the center of cybersecurity, privacy, and internet functioning, most of us are end users of the information that data comprises. Approaches to cyber governance need to give more prominence to the concept of information integrity in addition to the current emphasis on data security. Safeguarding a trustworthy internet and building confidence in the integrity of information is a critical part of a strong cybersecurity regime because there is a growing risk that political and personal decisions are based on inadequate or false information in cyberspace.
While the protection of data is at the center of cybersecurity, privacy, and internet functioning, most of us are end users of the information that data comprises. Approaches to cyber governance need to give more prominence to the concept of information integrity in addition to the current emphasis on data security. Safeguarding a trustworthy internet and building confidence in the integrity of information is a critical part of a strong cybersecurity regime because there is a growing risk that political and personal decisions are based on inadequate or false information in cyberspace.
For the past two years, global trade volumes have plateaued. But the importance of trade as an engine for global prosperity and welfare, and as the embodiment of an integrated, peaceful world has not diminished. In the face of changed circumstances—growing public skepticism of globalization and free trade, and volatile domestic politics—the case for open exchange must be made and not simply assumed. It should also be backed by credible, workable arrangements that reflect reality.
For the past two years, global trade volumes have plateaued. But the importance of trade as an engine for global prosperity and welfare, and as the embodiment of an integrated, peaceful world has not diminished. In the face of changed circumstances—growing public skepticism of globalization and free trade, and volatile domestic politics—the case for open exchange must be made and not simply assumed. It should also be backed by credible, workable arrangements that reflect reality.
After a tumultuous 2016, the world holds its breath for what the coming year may bring. Angry populism is on the march. Great power relations are tense. The Middle East has imploded. Meanwhile, President-Elect Donald J. Trump proposes to upend U.S. foreign policy in areas from trade to climate, alliances to nonproliferation, terrorism to human rights. In a world in disarray, can multilateralism deliver? Ten major summits during 2017 will help provide an answer. Here’s what to look for at each summit.
After a tumultuous 2016, the world holds its breath for what the coming year may bring. Angry populism is on the march. Great power relations are tense. The Middle East has imploded. Meanwhile, President-Elect Donald J. Trump proposes to upend U.S. foreign policy in areas from trade to climate, alliances to nonproliferation, terrorism to human rights. In a world in disarray, can multilateralism deliver? Ten major summits during 2017 will help provide an answer. Here’s what to look for at each summit.
Council of Councils members offer their perspectives on the impact of President-Elect Trump on global cooperation and some advice for the incoming administration.
Council of Councils members offer their perspectives on the impact of President-Elect Trump on global cooperation and some advice for the incoming administration.
Ahead of the eighth annual Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), Oliver Meier of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs assesses the remaining challenges that threaten to undermine international norms against the use of bioweapons, outlines the diverging visions for the BWC, and provides recommendations for how to move forward.
Ahead of the eighth annual Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), Oliver Meier of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs assesses the remaining challenges that threaten to undermine international norms against the use of bioweapons, outlines the diverging visions for the BWC, and provides recommendations for how to move forward.
Dozens of wildlife species are endangered, pushed ever closer to extinction by habitat loss and illegal trade. Unfortunately, limiting trade in wild animals and plants can be a contentious process that depends as much on politics as on science. Romy Chevallier and Ross Harvey of SAIIA explain how the debate over elephant conservation elucidates this difficulty and helps demonstrate both how the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora could function better and what could be done to reconcile conflicting positions.
Dozens of wildlife species are endangered, pushed ever closer to extinction by habitat loss and illegal trade. Unfortunately, limiting trade in wild animals and plants can be a contentious process that depends as much on politics as on science. Romy Chevallier and Ross Harvey of SAIIA explain how the debate over elephant conservation elucidates this difficulty and helps demonstrate both how the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora could function better and what could be done to reconcile conflicting positions.
The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea dispute has left many wondering what the next moves might be for the various stakeholders. Euan Graham of the Lowy Institute for International Policy assesses the legal and strategic factors that will shape this contentious issue going forward, including possible areas for fostering cooperation.
The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea dispute has left many wondering what the next moves might be for the various stakeholders. Euan Graham of the Lowy Institute for International Policy assesses the legal and strategic factors that will shape this contentious issue going forward, including possible areas for fostering cooperation.
