Misha Glenny, The Guardian | May 24, 2012
 The Balkans economies are expected to contract even more, which will in turn increase the lure of nationalism. ++ In Serbia, an extreme nationalist, Tomislav Nikolic, defeated the incumbent president. ++ The election has the potential to grow into a regional and European problem. ++ Nikolic’s victory, in combination with Hungary’s populism, should be a wake-up call to the EU. ++ The Eurozone crisis could inflame nationalism in the Balkans. ++ If the EU cannot stimulate growth, it risks more than just economic downturn.
Ian Birrell, The Independent | May 23, 2012
 Although Afghanistan remains a hotbed of terrorist activity, NATO will quit the country by 2014. ++ This marks an end to a tragic chapter in the Alliance’s history. ++ But little attention has been focused on Mali which suffered a coup just two months ago, resulting in the practice of harsh sharia law and the raising of al-Qaeda flags over buildings. ++ Fighting between Islamist and Nationalist gangs, while clans settle old scores, has become common practice. ++ It will get much worse when people look to Islamic terror groups for stability.
Brendan O'Reilly, Asia Times Online | May 22, 2012
The leaders of China, South Korea and Japan agreed to launch talks to lay down the foundations for a trilateral free-trade agreement (FTA). ++ Together the economies currently constitute 20% of global economic output and are very likely to surpass the EU’s 28% share of total world GDP with the FTA. ++ However, tensions with North Korea pose the greatest threat to continued economic growth, since China remains its main partner, while the US has an incentive to maintain its military presence in South Korea and Japan against China’s interests.
Des Browne and Volker Rühe, Former Defense Ministers | May 18, 2012
 The NATO summit in Chicago needs to be about more than just Afghanistan. ++ The Alliance must also respond to defense cuts, troubled relations with Russia, and the lessons from Libya. ++ There are three main areas for action. ++ First, NATO must help create the conditions for a world free of nuclear weapons. ++ Second, the summit is an opportunity for the Alliance to reassure Russia on missile defense while also finding ways to cooperate across a range of issues. ++ Third, NATO must pursue more pooling of defense resources.
Editorial, The Washington Post | May 16, 2012
 European leaders must pay close attention to the “austerity vs. growth” debate. ++ Although there is much condemnation of Europe’s austerity cure, critics are unsuccessful in finding solutions to fund growth. ++ Debtors must become more competitive in the global market. ++ Spain cut unit labor costs by 8.5%, compared to its European counterparts, between 2008 and 2011. ++ Germany responded by cutting its labor costs by 2%, thereby maintaining its lead. ++ If this continues, debtors will be unable to increase exports and grow.
Scott Harold & Alireza Nader, RAND Corporation | May 2012
Charles A. Kupchan, Hoover Institution | May 2012
Tomas Valasek, GLOBSEC 2012 | April 2012
Int'l Security Policy Working Group, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung | April 2012
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Malou Innocent is a Foreign Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute. She is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and her …
Dr. Daniel Hamilton is the Richard von Weizsäcker Professor and Director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Paul H. Nitze …
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Representatives from the US, Europe, Russia, and China are meeting with their Iranian counterparts to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. The talks can only be successful if Europe and the US reach an agreement with Russia and China on what to do if Iran does not follow international agreements.
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Editorial Team |
May 22, 2012
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