The Institute’s focus on European Affairs is particularly apt in the present period, with Europe confronting challenges that are unprecedented in its post-war history. Brexit, the migration-and-refugee crisis, terrorism, the rise of far-right forces in parts of the continent, profound economic and financial uncertainty, and instability in the neighborhood all could potentially shake the foundations of the European Union to the core and threaten the dominant post-World War II model of social welfare liberalism that was behind the notion of ‘Europe’ as a united and democratic entity.

Recognizing that Europe is historically a multi-faceted and multi-voiced entity, not a uniform bloc, ‘European Affairs’ also provides a non-partisan forum for understanding historical and contemporary realities of the former communist states of Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltics, including their role as a bridge to the adjacent republics of the former Soviet Union. It also looks at Europe’s unfinished business in the Western Balkans. A major focus of attention in this connection is the relationship between democratic ideals and democratic practice, including the difficulty of establishing democratic polities in countries with little or no democratic traditions in their history.

By inviting scholars and government experts to share their thoughts and insights and discuss policy options and alternative scenarios, the Institute aims to make a constructive contribution in the area of European thinking and policy analysis.

The MENA region’s importance has increased dramatically in the last few years and has a direct impact not only in Europe but also further afield. Cases of uncontrollable violence and war, political instability and turmoil, autarchic regimes, progress followed by regression in the national democratic politics of some countries and the resulting refugee crisis all make for a dangerous arc of uncertainty and suffering at Europe’s doorstep. Yet, the West’s response has been ineffectual and confusing. Is this due to the West’s weakness, or are the region’s problems truly beyond repair? The Institute aspires to contribute to the study of the region and its problems by inviting experts and officials to provoke discussions and encourage new analyses.

Russia’s relations with the West have not lived up to the post-1991 expectations. The Institute of Global Affairs brings together scholars and government specialists to discuss political, social, and economic issues affecting Russia and the other successor states to the Soviet Union, and to place these issues within their historical context, which is key to appreciating the root causes of current policy clashes with the West or between actors in the region. More broadly, developments in the East – including the rise of China, new economic developments such as China’s “New Silk Road” trade, investment expansion strategy, and new interdependencies in areas such as energy – are integral parts of the future of Europe-Asia relations and lend themselves to much further enquiry.

Energy security is about ensuring the availability of energy sources at an affordable price in the desired quantity. The Institute monitors longer-term energy security developments and, in particular, questions relating to the alignment of required supplies to the actual needs of international markets, taking into account economic realities, political developments, and environmental concerns. It also studies short-term energy security issues, including the system’s response to sudden or gradual changes in the whole production chain from producer to consumer.

The predominance of the West (US and Europe) has been challenged in the last two decades by the increasing influence of new emerging strategic and economic powers. By assessing and analyzing this phenomenon, the Institute aims to contribute to a better understanding of this shift in the global balance of power.

Decades of economic growth and increasing affluence in the West led policy-makers to gloss over underlying social tensions and disaffection with on-going trends within particular social groups (e.g., rising inequality, immigration). This has led to a new polarization of domestic politics and contributed to the emergence of a new populist discourse, exploited by various politicians in the West who now pose major challenges to established democratic institutions. The purpose of the Institute is to identify these trends and to suggest ways to combat the various threats to democracy.