Yet another renowned #institution being dismantled to the ground. This time the Wilson Center where I had the privilege to work for the past 2y. I couldn’t be prouder of the work me and my team did. #AI will never replace the impactful research and scholarship the Wilson Center is respected for.

Radmila Shekerinska’s NATO appointment gives the Western Balkans a stronger voice and offers the region a valuable opportunity to influence the alliance’s strategic direction from within, writes Bojan Stojkovski.

Slovenian journalists were denied entry into #Serbia due to “security concerns” ahead of massive rallies today. This only showcases the power this movement has and the desperate cling to power by Vučić’s government.

The first 100 days of the new @ec.europa.eu have been dominated by security and defense. @masaocvirk.bsky.social & @jasoncmoyer.com analyze the #ReArm Europe Plan, the Commission’s initiative to significantly boost defense spending of #EU members. Full article ⤵️

NEW ARTICLE | Security and Defense Dominate the First 100 Days of the New European Commission Read the latest from yours truly and @masaocvirk.bsky.social for @wilsoncenter.org www.wilsoncenter.org/article/secu... #eu #Security #Defense #europeanunion #csdp

Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor. Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.

“There’s a long line of countries out the EU’s door wanting to work with us, because we are a reliable partner”. @kajakallas.bsky.social finding the silver lining to the current #transatlantic rift.

Great article on the role of #AfD. It’s impact on the political discourse is already there. With being the largest opposition party it will now also try to steer #German policies further to the right. More ⤵️

OUT NOW | The far-right #AfD party came in second in Sunday's German snap #election. Read Lena Schorlemer's analysis for @wilsoncenter.org on how this is reshaping Germany’s political landscape. Full article⤵️

Europe and NATO are facing an existential crisis as the Trump administration aims a wrecking ball at trans-Atlantic relations. Read FP’s Situation Report:

ICYMI | After the parliamentary elections in #Kosovo, current PM Albin Kurti now faces coalition politics. Visar Xhambazi writes about the challenges the new government will face as it seeks to to rebuild ties with the #EU and the #US. Full article ⤵️

Great point from former 🇫🇮 PM Sanna Marin for @economist.com The meetings in #Paris unfortunately show a different picture.

🇩🇪🗳️ Germany heads to the polls on Feb 23 so GPPi experts have curated a list of pre-election must-reads (& watches, listens) 🔗 gppi.net/2025/02/17/g... With recommendations from: @tbenner.bsky.social, @bressansar.bsky.social, Gelila Enbaye, @jhensing.bsky.social, Karla Kröner & @jlehmann.bsky.social

Follow and engage with our experts! @wilsoncenter.org

Seit Wochen und Tagen schreiben Studierende mit ihren Protesten in #Serbien Geschichte, heute in Novi Sad und vielen weiteren Städten Serbiens. Angst vor dem Regime weicht. Hoffnung ist zurückgekehrt nach Serbien.

“We need to bring down Europe from the magic mountain”- @morawieckimateusz.bsky.social In his vision of Europe the Green Deal seems to a thing of the past, a narrative we hear more and more from Brussels as well.

"If protesters are not waving European flags, it is because the EU is seen as an ally of the government." This should be a sobering realization for the #EU. Public support is crucial for the success of enlargement.

At the @harvardkennedy.bsky.social conference panel on #transatlantic relations, Benjamin Hadad, French Minister for Europe, acknowledged that a successful rebalance of this relationship depends on #Europe taking on more of the defense burden.

Sec. Rubio stating “We want NATO – we want a NATO in which we have strong and capable Allies.” Europe has been looking for such reassurance, now it needs to deliver.

Loud calls in #Davos for Europe to invest more in defense. Join me for a discussion with an excellent panel on the EU’s plans to build up its #defense and what they mean for the future of the #transatlantic alliance. RSVP ⤵️

FELLOWSHIPS for Scholars at Risk Applications until 20.01.2025 at 23:59 (CET). #SAFE offers 60 fully-funded fellowships (up to 24 months) for doctoral & postdoctoral researchers of non-EU nationality. Read the call carefully, contact potential supervisor in your academic field. saferesearchers.eu

🇨🇳 China’s engagement in the Western Balkans has multiple impacts for the region’s countries. GMF Fellow Arta Haxhixhemajli argues that these countries are being positioned as pawns for Beijing as it pursues technological supremacy. www.gmfus.org/news/western...

Continuing with my @wilsoncenter.org series on EU Council Presidencies. This time analyzing the challenges and ambitions of #Poland as it takes over steering the #EU agenda. Read the full article here ⤵️

It truly was a whirlwind of a year and couldn’t be prouder of the work our team did! Check it out ⤵️

the horror. The Bravery. Merci Gisèle #Pelicot.

OUT NOW | While war rages on in Ukraine, one #EU and #NATO member has been been stunned by a political crisis going on its fourth year. Read @irenmarinova.bsky.social and Rickard Lindholm's analysis on the situation in #Bulgaria, and the road ahead. ⤵️

Today’s Council conclusions on #EU #enlargement call for more decisive efforts to foster reconciliation in the Western Balkans. Check out my piece for @wilsoncenter.org on how the EU can do that and why transatlantic cooperation in the region remains key. ⤵️

SMART TAKE | Romania's Constitutional Court annulled the results of the first round of the 2024 presidential election. @masaocvirk.bsky.social says this should ring alarm bells for the #EU and its member states on the need to counter Russian interference. Watch the video ⤵️

Together with Friedrich Naumann Foundation we are excited to present a joint report "Transatlantic Relations Under the New European Commission." A great resource for US policymakers that analyzes opportunities and challenges for EU-US cooperation. Read it here ▶️ www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/...

Having worked for the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council in 2021, it is always a pleasure to come back to this topic. Every presidency deals with its own set of challenges and the Belgian Presidency is no exception. You can read my take on the 3 issues to watch in the next 6 months here ⤵️

Wednesday was the Super Bowl for everyone following 🇪🇺 enlargement. For @wilsoncentergep.bsky.social I wrote that opening accession negotiations for Ukraine is a meaningful step on a long and windy road ahead. ⤵️