Search

Begin New Search Topic Reform Political Geography Europe

191. U.S. European Command and NATO'S Strategic Concept: Post-Afghanistan and Beyond

Author:
Harlan Ullman
Publication Date:
07-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
Regardless of how the conflict in Afghanistan (along with NATO's role, presence, and draw down) is resolved, one consequence will be to increase the importance of U.S. European Command (EUCOM) both in Europe and for the entire transatlantic community. Whether Operation Enduring Freedom and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) produce a stunning victory in which Afghanistan emerges as a stable state under the rule of law with a viable government or a rocky withdrawal in the midst of continuing violence with no clear solution in sight, NATO nations will have long tired of that war. Fortunately, the Lisbon Summit with a 2014 end date has eased domestic political pressures over Afghanistan. However, that relief is by no means permanent.
Topic:
Defense Policy, Economics, International Cooperation, Military Strategy, and Reform
Political Geography:
Afghanistan, United States, and Europe

192. Increasing Outreach, Public Understanding and Support for NATO across the Transatlantic Community

Author:
Kurt Volker
Publication Date:
07-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
Fixing NATO's public support problem requires the personal commitment of allied leaders (from Prime Ministers on down); tough decisions on resources, capabilities, and operations in order to restore NATO's credibility; and identifying how NATO's actions directly improve the lives of citizens in NATO countries. NATO must be seen as addressing the right issues, successfully, in a way that citizens of allied countries would feel proud to say "This is My NATO."
Topic:
NATO, Diplomacy, International Cooperation, and Reform
Political Geography:
Afghanistan and Europe

193. NATO Reform: Key Principles

Author:
Kurt Volker and Kevin P. Green
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
The topic of reforming NATO—and in particular cutting costs and improving efficiencies—has been with the Alliance for decades. Throw-away lines such as "Why does NATO have 400 committees?" or "Cut the International Staff by 10 percent" have often been used to signal a rough determination to streamline NATO and make it more efficient.
Topic:
Defense Policy, NATO, International Cooperation, and Reform
Political Geography:
Europe

194. Fiscal Consolidation in the EU's New Member States

Author:
Daniel Daianu
Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
"The global financial crisis has triggered exceptional responses in the Euro zone and the U.S. A similar policy thrust should apply to the use of EU funds in the New Member States (NMS) of Central and Eastern Europe. The stakes are too high for vacillating. The bottom line is this: more capital has to flow into NMSs in order to fund the production of capital goods during a time when national budgets are extremely strained. This period may last for years, but inaction may lead to future political and economic instability in the region."
Topic:
Financial Crisis, Reform, European Union, and Macroeconomics
Political Geography:
Europe

195. Inflation Rather Than Austerity - Hungary's Economic Strategy

Author:
Peter Mihalyi
Publication Date:
02-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
"Since 1968, subsequent Hungarian governments have been less resilient to moderate inflation than others in the region. After the 1989-1990 market transition, inflation targeting became an even more important short-term policy tool. Since hyper-inflation was not allowed to gain momentum, there was no need to resort to fully-fledged currency reform. Instead, Hungarian governments have been ready to accept extra-inflation as an unavoidable price for reducing the fiscal deficit, choosing against Maastricht inflation targeting and economic coordination with Brussels."
Topic:
Reform, Macroeconomics, and Currency
Political Geography:
Europe and Hungary

196. Will IMF Intervention Help Belarus Solve Its Old Problems?

Author:
Alexander Chubrik
Publication Date:
06-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
On May 31, 2011 the Government and National Bank of Belarus (NBB) announced that they would ask for a new stand-by loan from the IMF. The requests for external assistance followed several unsuccessful government attempts to overcome the serious macroeconomic crisis that has been developing in the country since the beginning of 2010. A key question arises, can external loans help Belarus to overcome its current crisis?
Topic:
Reform, Finance, Institutions, Macroeconomics, and IMF
Political Geography:
Europe, Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and Belarus

197. Re-Establishment and Reform of the Justice System in Kosovo (1999-2011)

Author:
Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS)
Publication Date:
05-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS)
Abstract:
While the research describe the development of justice system in the pre-independence period, the research team paid particular attention for the post-independence justice system focusing on the legal mandate of EULEX and problems in the North. Nevertheless, having in mind the complex sector and the diverse mechanisms, it was not the intention of the researchers to deepen the analysis in some specific areas of justice but rather to provide a broader overview. In fact, this research is expected to serve as the basis for upcoming research papers of KCSS aiming to address more specifically the important aspects in the broader field of rule of law.The paper shall serve as reliable source for the students, researchers and the policy makers willing to have a general picture on the developments in this sector. The original version is in English language and translated into Albanian Language.
Topic:
Security, Reform, Rule of Law, and Justice
Political Geography:
Europe, Kosovo, and Balkans

198. NATO Reform and Decision-Making

Author:
Kurt Volker and Edgar Buckley
Publication Date:
02-2010
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
How can an organization of 28 sovereign countries act together effi ciently to agree policies, invest in common capabilities, manage crises and conduct military operations based on consensus? Obviously, not at all – unless it is founded on strong fundamental principles and shared values, agreed strategies and a tradition of mutual trust. That has always been the assumption underlying NATO's constitutional approach.
Topic:
NATO, International Cooperation, and Reform
Political Geography:
Europe and North America

199. NATO's Nuclear Policy in 2010

Author:
Annette Heuser and Walter Slocombe
Publication Date:
03-2010
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
A critical question for the new Strategic Concept is whether NATO's nuclear policy as outlined in 1999 needs to be altered and, if so, how. This issue brief outlines the questions that will need to be addressed and offers recommendations for addressing nuclear policy in the new Strategic Concept.
Topic:
Arms Control and Proliferation, International Cooperation, Nuclear Weapons, and Reform
Political Geography:
Europe and North America

200. NATO Initiatives for an Era of Global Competition

Author:
Franklin D. Kramer
Publication Date:
03-2010
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
The transatlantic partnership has historically been at the heart of U.S. foreign policy, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been at the heart of the partnership. But the factors that long made "transatlantic" the dominant foreign policy construct have fundamentally changed – and with it has come a need for concomitant strategic and operational changes to meet new requirements.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Economics, International Cooperation, and Reform
Political Geography:
Afghanistan, United States, Europe, and North America