Europe - Audio

In this episode, the Trade Guys and Andrew welcome Joseph Glauber, a Senior Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, DC.  They discuss the motivations behind the latest export restrictions by some countries, and the latest news on meat processing plants.

In this episode, the Trade Guys and Andrew discuss some silver linings coming out of the COVID-19 crisis. They also break some bad news about the economy coming out of the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund.

Disputes over the regional order in post-Soviet Europe and Eurasia are at the core of the breakdown in Russia-West relations, and have created major security and economic challenges for the states caught in between: first and foremost Ukraine, but also Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Current policy approaches toward the regional order—i.e., the set of rules, norms, and institutions that govern the region—have exacerbated today’s disorder and instability. The authors of a new report offer a comprehensive proposal for revising the regional order. The proposal, which addresses the security architecture, economic integration, and regional conflicts, was devised by four groups of experts convened by the RAND Corporation and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung’s Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe. Each group included representatives from the West, Russia, and the states in between. This event is made possible by the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

At 11:00 PM on January 31st, the UK will formally withdraw from the European Union. How will the UK's foreign and security policy change? What security challenges will it prioritize? And will leaving the European Union bring the UK closer to the United States? Please join us for a conversation with former UK Secretary of State for Defense (2010-2011), former Secretary of State for International Trade (2016-2019), and Conservative MP from North Somerset Dr. Liam Fox. Dr. Fox will offer his reflections on the vitally important role NATO must play in the future, the role of values in national security, the security challenges that Russia and China pose to the UK, the impact of cyber warfare, and the role of non-state actors and proxy groups in fueling future conflicts. This event is made possible through generous support from the Stuart Family Foundation

Russian natural gas exports are once again high on the agenda. Russia is completing two new pipelines to Europe, just inaugurated a new gas pipeline to China, and is boosting its presence in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market. All this is happening as the outlook for gas in Europe is being upended by new supplies and routes, by new rules and regulations, and by an ambitious decarbonization agenda that will reshape the role of gas in the European energy system, and thus the relationship with Russia. The Europe-Russia relationship has always had a political and geopolitical dimension, ever since the Soviet Union first supplied gas to Western Europe in the late 1960s. “Yet to boil down the subject of Russian-European gas relations to geopolitics is to miss a large part of the story,” writes Thane Gustafson, a professor of government at Georgetown University and a Senior Director at IHS Markit, in his new book The Bridge: Natural Gas in a Redivided Europe (Harvard University Press, 2020). He continues to say: “The gas revolution in Europe has deep roots, which originated quite independently of Russia, and are only distantly related to geopolitics.” This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

Please join us for a conversation with Finland’s Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen. As an EU member state, NATO partner, Arctic nation, and neighbor to Russia, Finland offers a unique perspective on security in the High North and transatlantic security challenges. The Minister will reflect on the state of transatlantic relations, the regional security situation, and the way forward for bilateral defense cooperation. He will also outline his views on an emerging defense agenda, particularly in new technology areas, and provide an update on Finland’s defense priorities for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union (through December), which include development and integration of new technologies; improving counter-hybrid capabilities; and advancing cooperation with partners. Minister Kaikkonen has served as a Member of Parliament since 2003. This event is made possible through generous support from the Stuart Family Foundation.

In partnership with the Centre for Polish-Russian Dialogue and Understanding (CPRDU), CSIS is pleased to invite you to the eighth annual Transatlantic Forum on Russia. This year's conference will examine transatlantic policy towards Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova five years after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and military incursion into eastern Ukraine. The Transatlantic Forum on Russia is part of a broader effort to formulate an enduring transatlantic policy framework towards Russia, with an examination of regional security, political, and economic developments. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. AGENDA   8:30-8:50am Registration and Light Breakfast     9:00amWelcoming Remarks:          Ms. Heather A. Conley, Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia and the Arctic, CSIS Dr. Ernest Wyciszkiewicz, Director, Centre for Polish-Russian Dialogue and Understanding (CPRDU)   9:10-10:00am             Keynote Address: U.S. Policy toward Russia: A View from Congress Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) 10:00-11:30am           Panel One: Five Years After the Annexation of Crimea and Military Incursion into the Donbas: Where Does the Transatlantic Community Go from Here?   Panelists: Dr. Pawel Kowal, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland (2005-2007), Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences Dr. Maria Snegovaya, Adjunct Fellow, Center for European Policy (CEPA) Dr. Alina Polyakova, Director, Global Democracy and Emerging Technologies, Brookings Jonathan D. Katz, Senior Fellow, German Marshall Fund   Moderator: Dr. Ernest Wyciszkiewicz, Director, Centre for Polish-Russian Dialogue and Understanding (CPRDU)   11:30-11:45am           Coffee Break   11:45-1:15pm            Panel Two: Belarus, Moldova and Georgia: What Does the Future Hold?   Panelists: Dr. Adam Eberhardt, Director, Center for Eastern Studies, Warsaw Iulian Groza, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova (2013-2015) Executive Director, European Institute of Politics and Reforms, Chișinău Alex Johnson, Chief of Staff, U.S Helsinki CommissionDr. Mamuka Tsereteli, Senior Fellow, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at AFPC   Moderator: Ms. Heather A. Conley, Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia and the Arctic, CSIS   1:15pm                      Buffet Lunch                                     1:45pm                      Journalist Roundtable: The White House and the Evolution of U.S. Policy toward Russia   Panelists: Peter Baker, White House Correspondent, New York Times Susan Glasser, Staff Writer, The New Yorker Rene Pfister, Washington Bureau Chief, DER SPIEGEL   Moderator:  Ms. Heather A. Conley, Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia and the Arctic, CSIS This event is made possible through generous support from the Centre for Polish-Russian Dialogue and Understanding.

While countering terrorism financing may be prioritized by national governments, it is the rise of illicit finance and money laundering that constitutes a grave threat to national security and democratic institutions. As extensive research identified in the Kremlin Playbook and the Kremlin Playbook 2 demonstrated, illicit financial flows are increasingly used to influence policies and erode democratic systems. Anti-money laundering (AML) directives, Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) legislation as well as other transparency initiatives in the EU and U.S. can help safeguard democratic institutions.  Prior to the 2013 financial crisis, Cyprus and the Cypriot financial system was frequently cited as a main conduit of illicit financial flows, particularly from Russia. Cyprus responded by implementing important AML and banking reforms in recent years, such as a register for beneficial ownership for trusts and enhanced compliance and due diligence policies. We welcome the leaders of the two largest banks in Cyprus, as well as Eric Lorber, Director for the Center for Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, for a public discussion on what lessons were learned during this period as well as what more work needs to be done in the U.S. and the EU to prevent malign economic influence from penetrating Western financial systems. This event was made possible through ­­­­­­­­­­­general support to CSIS.

Please join us at CSIS for a conversation with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Audun Halvorsen on Norway’s Arctic security strategy. For Arctic littoral states such as Norway, changing dynamics in the Arctic as a result of climate change and increased commercial activity will bring new challenges in the future. Deputy Foreign Minister Halvorsen will offer his perspectives on the effects of a shifting geopolitical climate on the Arctic and the implications for Norwegian foreign and security policy, for NATO efforts to enhance deterrence and defense in the High North and North Atlantic, and for Arctic governance.  Mr. Halvorsen previously served as a Political Advisor to the Minister of Defense and a Political Advisor to the Conservative Party Parliamentary Group.This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.  

Bob and Andrew talk with Bulent Aliriza, director of the CSIS Turkey Project, about the escalating situation along the Syrian border with Turkey after President Trump ordered U.S. troops out of the region. Download the full transcript here.

CSIS is pleased to host a discussion on the trade challenges, opportunities, and future paths of the European Economic Area (EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) and the European Free Trade Association (a trade bloc consisting of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) featuring H.S.H. Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein's acting head of state since 2004. Recent discussions in the United Kingdom have highlighted the EFTA as a possible path for a future UK-EU relationship (known as "Norway Plus") which makes this a particularly timely discussion with Prince Alois, who will offer opening reflections about Liechtenstein's experience with the EEA and EFTA over the past 25 years and the implications of a potential no-deal Brexit. Following Prince Alois’ remarks, a distinguished panel will describe their own experiences with the EEA and EFTA, the future of these entities at a moment of change for the EU’s single market in anticipation of Brexit, and the implications for transatlantic trade relations with EEA and EFTA in light of potential US-UK and US-EU free trade agreements.This event was made possible through the generous support of the Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Host Amy Lehr talks with Hadiya Masieh. Hadiya joined Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir when she was in college. After a decade, she severed those ties, dedicating her time and energy to speaking out against the ideas promoted by such radical groups. She uses her insights and experience to deter young people from taking the same path, using technology as one tool in that effort.

In this episode, Trade Guy Scott reports back from the Windy City and fills Bill and Jack Caporal (filling in for Andrew)in on the USMCA. They also discuss the restart of U.S.-China talks, and Dr. Sabine Weyand's discussion earlier this week at CSIS headquarters. Download the full transcript here.

Please join us for a conversation with Minister of National Defense of Portugal João Gomes Cravinho. Portugal offers a unique perspective on the importance of transatlantic relations given its Atlantic geography as well as its membership in both NATO and the EU. Minister Cravinho will share his thoughts on the most pressing issues for transatlantic security and defense, including Russia, China, and security challenges along Europe’s Southern borders. Minister Cravinho will also discuss the future of US-EU security and defense cooperation in a post-Brexit environment as Lisbon plays a more proactive role in the selection of new EU leaders. Minister Cravinho previously served as EU Ambassador to New Delhi, EU Ambassador to Brasília, and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.This event is made possible by general support to CSIS. 

In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys welcome Lesly McNitt, Director of Public Policy for trade and biotechnology for the National Corn Growers Association. They discuss what she is hearing from corn growers, the administration, and Congress. Hosted by H. Andrew Schwartz and produced by Yumi Araki and Jack Caporal at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Download the full transcript here.

Dame Barbara Woodward, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to China discusses the current Washington-Beijing trade spat and its implications for the U.K. and the rest of the world. She also talks about 21st century diplomatic challenges and how most are related to China.

In this episode, the Trade Guys welcome two special guests who discuss how trade policy is affecting small and medium-sized businesses. Karyn Page is the President and CEO of Kansas Global Trade Services, Inc., which helps companies and cities leverage their capabilities and global reach. She chairs the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC 9). Kimberly Benson is the President of Zenaida Global, an export management and advisory firm based in Rancho Santa Fe, California. She currently serves as ITAC 9's Primary Vice Chair. Download the full transcript here.

Please join us for a conversation with Latvian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Dr. Artis Pabriks, who will discuss Russia’s malign influence and how Latvia’s national efforts compliment broader NATO and U.S. posture in the era of major power competition. Bringing a wealth of experience and insights from his distinguished public service in Latvia and the European Parliament, Dr. Pabriks will also offer his reflections on the state of U.S.-European relations on the eve of the European Parliament elections. This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.

On April 23, 2019, the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies will be hosting a discussion on pre-existing and emerging threats to U.S. space systems. The event will kickoff with a keynote from Steve Kitay, DASD for Space Policy. Following Mr. Kitay's remarks, an expert panel will discuss recent global counterspace developments. This event highlights the Aerospace Security Project’s new report, Space Threat Assessment 2019, and the Secure World Foundation’s new report, Global Counterspace Capabilities. Following the discussion, please join us for a screening of a new documentary, Commanding Space: The Story Behind the Space Force, produced by the CSIS Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab. To celebrate the launch of both the new report and the documentary, we invite you to stay after the screening for a networking reception.This event is made possible through general support to CSIS. 

“The Kremlin Playbook 2” report demonstrates that some countries facilitate or enable the type of Russian malign economic influence that was uncovered in the first Kremlin Playbook report. On this episode, Heather A. Conley (CSIS), Donatienne Ruy (CSIS), and Martin Vladimirov (Center for the Study of Democracy) take listeners behind the scenes and discuss the creation of The Kremlin Playbook series. They present key takeaways and biggest surprises, the requirements of such a study, and the way forward for this research.

In this episode, the Trade Guys and Andrew welcome another VIP guest. Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s Deputy Ambassador to the United States, offers her insight on Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, the USMCA (now dubbed "You-Smacka" by Trade Guy Scott), and more. Hosted by H. Andrew Schwartz and produced by Yumi Araki, Jack Caporal, and Ribka Gemilangsari at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Download full transcript here.

Please join us for an insightful conversation with Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell where topics such as the future of the European Union and upcoming European parliament elections, Brexit, the celebration of NATO’s 70th anniversary and transatlantic relations as well as the upcoming Spanish general elections on April 28 (which Minister Borrell has described as being of “existential importance”) will be explored in an engaging and very topical dialogue. This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

Andrew and the Trade Guys discuss Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's visit to Washington DC, the chaos with Brexit, and France's proposal to tax digital companies. Hosted by H. Andrew Schwartz and produced by Yumi Araki and Jack Caporal at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Download full transcript here.

A fragmented model of digital governance is emerging. Data regulation, technical and ethical standards, and market leadership are all in flux, raising questions about whose rules, if any, will become the global standard. This CSIS Simon Chair event will look at the evolution of technology and digital governance in the world’s major economies – the United States, Europe, China, and Japan – and how competing visions and differing priorities are shaping national and regional approaches to digital governance.  Featuring a keynote address from Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA) Closing remarks from former Deputy US Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Holleyman Expert panel featuring: Peter Fatelnig, Minister Counsellor for Digital Economy Policy, Delegation of the European Union to the United States Naoki Ota, Founder, New Stories Ltd. Former Special Adviser to the Minister, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan  Diane Rinaldo, Deputy Assistant Secretary, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce Paul Triolo, Practice Head, Geotechnology, Eurasia Group Shaundra Watson, Director, Policy, BSA | The Software Alliance  Stephanie Segal (Moderator), Simon Chair Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, CSIS This event was made possible by support from the Japanese Embassy.

In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys record in front of a live audience of members from the LGBT Professionals in International Trade (GATT) and the Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT). They welcome two trade veterans. Barbara Weisel is a managing director at Rock Creek Global Associates and was the former Assistant US Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Marjorie Chorlins is the vice president for European Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the executive director of the US-UK Business Council. The panel discusses auto tariffs, bilateral trade agreements, and what’s going on with the US-China deal. Download full transcript here.

Former Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga joined us at CSIS for a Smart Women, Smart Power conversation with moderator Nina Easton to discuss her efforts to bring justice to women and men victims of sexual violence during the Kosovo War.

In this episode, the Trade Guys catch up with guest Heather Conley, who just returned stateside from a timely trip to London. Heather is the Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia and the Arctic, and the director of the Europe program at CSIS. She offers fresh insights about Brexit, how it might affect trade, what it means for us, and where we go from here. Hosted by H. Andrew Schwartz and produced by Yumi Araki and Jack Caporal at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Muriel Domenach, Secretary General of the French government’s Inter-ministerial Committee for the Prevention of Delinquency and Radicalization sat down with host Beverly Kirk to discuss how France is implementing radicalization prevention programs that target vulnerable young people.

Emily Haber, German Ambassador to the United States, joins Beverly Kirk on the Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast for a conversation about migration, integration, and the importance of a strong relationship between the U.S. and Germany.

With presidential elections set for the spring, Ukraine’s election season is in full-swing. Candidates from across the political spectrum are running, and, as in many previous Ukrainian elections, the outcome is not foreordained. Will incumbent Petro Poroshenko seek re-election—and if so, does he have a chance of winning? Will Yulia Tymoshenko complete her political renaissance? And what are the implications of the election for Ukraine’s future, including the conflict in the Donbas?This event is made possible by general support to CSIS.

This discussion, following the midterm elections, will assess what we saw--and didn't see--in those elections.  It will also examine foreign influence operations that go beyond elections to undermine other democratic institutions, such as our justice system, and democracy itself.   Finally, we will discuss ways to counter this national security threat. This event is made possible with the help of the American Bar Association Committee on Law and National Security and the financial support of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Democracy Fund.

Please join us for the seventh joint conference of CSIS and the Centre for Polish-Russian Dialogue and Understanding (CPRDU), entitled, the "Transatlantic Forum on Russia."  Since 2012 CSIS and CPRDU have partnered to examine the impact of Polish-Russian reconciliation and its wider regional and transatlantic implications.  Following Russia’s 2014 illegal annexation of Crimea and military incursions into eastern Ukraine, and its military and covert operations in Syria, Salisbury, and elsewhere, the Forum’s focus has turned to formulating a long-term transatlantic policy framework towards Russia. The Forum convenes five months after the U.S.-Russia Summit in Helsinki, nine days after the U.S. mid-term elections, and four days after President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Putin in Paris on the margins of the centenarian commemoration of the end of the First World War.  Regional and U.S. experts will assess the role that history plays in shaping both Russia’s and the West’s narrative as well as to examine the success that Russian malign influence has had in undermining confidence in democratic institutions and leaders in Europe and the United States. This event is made possible through support from Center for Polish-Russian Dialogue and Understanding.

The CSIS Europe Program is delighted to host a conversation with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation. With the conclusion of the U.S. midterm elections, we will discuss what the future holds for U.S. policy toward NATO and European security, Russia, the Western Balkans, as well as the U.S.-EU trade relationship from a Congressional perspective. Following Senator Murphy’s remarks, CSIS experts will assess the impact that the new Congress will have on foreign and national security policy, and discuss the issues they will be keeping their eyes on in the 116th Congress.This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.  

This episode explores China’s approach to the Central and Eastern Europe region through its 16+1 mechanism, which brings together eleven EU member states, five Balkan countries, and China. Our guest, Justyna Szczudlik, explains China’s political and economic goals in the region and describes the major outcomes of the recent 16+1 Summit in Bulgaria. She also examines the appeal of the Belt and Road Initiative to different European countries and analyzes the potential effects of China’s “one size fits all” approach to the various 16+1 participants.   Justyna Szczudlik is Head of the Asia-Pacific Programme and a China analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM). She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Warsaw, MA in Chinese Studies from the University of Warsaw, and MA in Political Science from the University of Wroclaw. Dr. Szczudlik’s research focuses on China’s foreign policy, especially China-Central and Eastern Europe relations including China-Poland relations.

Join Muriel Domenach, Secretary General of the French government's Inter-ministerial Committee for the Prevention of Delinquency and Radicalization (CIPDR), as she discusses France's ongoing efforts to counter radicalization and violent extremism. "Prevent to Protect," the plan released by CIPDR in February 2018, offered 60 measures to refocus France's policy of prevention around five key themes: After Ms. Domenach's remarks, Seth G. Jones, Harold Brown Chair and Director of the CSIS Transnational Threats Project, will host a moderated armchair discussion comparing and contrasting the French and American perspectives on the issues of returning foreign fighters, counter-narrative efforts, and building community resilience.This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

The CSIS Transnational Threats Project cordially invites you to a book launch event for John J. Mearsheimer’s newly released The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities (Yale University Press). A limited number of copies of The Great Delusion will be sold at the event, and Dr. Mearsheimer will sign them following the discussion.  Moderated bySeth Jones Harold Brown Chair Director, Transnational Threats Project Senior Adviser, International Security Program  Charles Glaser Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs Director, Institute for Security and Conflict Studies WithJohn J. Mearsheimer R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago   In this major statement, the renowned international-relations scholar John Mearsheimer argues that liberal hegemony, the foreign policy pursued by the United States since the Cold War ended, is doomed to fail. It makes far more sense, he maintains, for Washington to adopt a more restrained foreign policy based on a sound understanding of how nationalism and realism constrain great powers abroad.   It is widely believed in the West that the United States should spread liberal democracy across the world, foster an open international economy, and build institutions. This policy of remaking the world in America’s image is supposed to protect human rights, promote peace, and make the world safe for democracy. But this is not what has happened. Instead, the United States has ended up as a highly militarized state fighting wars that undermine peace, harm human rights, and threaten liberal values at home. Mearsheimer tells us why this has happened. This event was made possible through support from CSIS.

At a time of great global change, European nations, Russia included, are rethinking security institutions and interests, including their relationships with one another and with the United States. At the same time, Russia itself is a crucial factor in its neighbors’ and others’ decision calculus about how security on the European continent might be best attained and preserved. Join us as we bring together some of Russia, Europe, and America’s top analysts to discuss what might happen, and how Russia is likely to affect and be affected by the evolving European security order.This event is made possible by the generous support of Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Dr. Heather Williams, Defense Studies Lecturer at King’s College London in the Center for Science and Security Studies talks with Beverly Kirk about challenges with trust in the institutions, treaties and norms that govern the global nuclear order and what needs to happen to rebuild trust that has been lost between the U.S. and Europe.

This episode explores the relationship between China and the European Union’s 28 member states, as well as the impact of the US on China-EU ties. Our guest, Ms. Theresa Fallon, analyzes China’s increased interest in the region amid tension with the US and assesses the efficacy of initiatives such as the 16+1 Summit and Belt and Road Initiative in strengthening China-EU ties. She also predicts where the relationship is headed and how the US should view a closer China-EU relationship.   Ms. Theresa Fallon is the founder and director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies (CREAS) in Brussels. She is concurrently a member of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and a Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Ms. Fallon’s current research is focused on EU-Asia relations, Sino-Russian relations, maritime security, global governance, and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. She has testified numerous times to the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs and Subcommittee on Security and Defense, and has been featured in international media including the BBC, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.  

CSIS Transnational Threats Project cordially invites you to a book launch event for Director Seth G. Jones’ newly released A Covert Action: Reagan, the CIA, and the Cold War Struggle In Poland. (W. W. Norton & Company)  Moderated byKathleen H. Hicks Senior Vice President; Henry A. Kissinger Chair; Director, International Security Program  WithSeth G. Jones Harold Brown Chair; Director, Transnational Threats Project; and Senior Adviser, International Security Program   December, 1981—the CIA receives word that the Polish government has cut telephone communications with the West and closed the Polish border. The agency’s leaders quickly inform President Ronald Reagan, who is enjoying a serene weekend at Camp David. Within hours, Prime Minister Wojciech Jaruzelski has appeared on Polish national television to announce the establishment of martial law. A new era in Cold War politics has begun: Washington and Moscow are on a collision course. In this gripping narrative history, Seth G. Jones reveals the little-known story of the CIA’s subsequent operations in Poland, which produced a landmark victory for democracy during the Cold War. While the Soviet-backed Polish government worked to crush a budding liberal opposition movement, the CIA began a sophisticated intelligence campaign, code-named QRHELPFUL, that supported dissident groups. The most powerful of these groups was Solidarity, a trade union that swelled to a membership of ten million and became one of the first legitimate anti-Communist opposition movements in Eastern Europe. With President Reagan’s support, the CIA provided money that helped Solidarity print newspapers, broadcast radio programs, and conduct a wide-ranging information warfare campaign against the Soviet-backed government. QRHELPFUL proved vital in establishing a free and democratic Poland. Long overlooked by CIA historians and Reagan biographers, the story of QRHELPFUL features an extraordinary cast of characters—including spymaster Bill Casey, CIA officer Richard Malzahn, Polish-speaking CIA case officer Celia Larkin, Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, and Pope John Paul II. Based on in-depth interviews and recently declassified evidence, A Covert Action celebrates a decisive victory over tyranny for U.S. intelligence behind the Iron Curtain, one that prefigured the Soviet collapse.This event was made possible through support from CSIS.

Blockchain is increasingly recognized as a potentially transformative technology for business transaction infrastructure with its decentralized and transparent networks which form nodes or “blocks” linked by cryptography. Although its decentralized networks make blockchain less vulnerable to cyberattacks, it poses challenges for governments seeking to understand the technology’s many applications and develop appropriate regulatory “rules of the road.” How are governments thinking about the increased use of blockchain technology and its regulatory environment? How are businesses viewing the future of blockchain? What are the future trends in this space? Please join us on September 12th as our distinguished panel of experts will discuss the future of blockchain technology. This event is made possible by the generous support of the Embassy of Lichtenstein.

With the growth of social media, disinformation has become an increasingly potent political tool. State and non-state actors from various countries, among them Russia and China, have become adept at manufacturing and spreading disinformation or using covert campaigns to influence public perception and political outcomes in democratic countries around the world. Responding to this threat requires policy makers to integrate insights from different countries and from academic fields that are too often siloed, including communications, computer science, and social psychology. This event is made possible by the generous support of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

CSIS Europe expert Heather Conley discusses the issues dominating the upcoming Swedish general election, including immigration and the rise of populist/nationalist Sweden Democrats political party. She also looks at the impact populism is having on elections across Europe.

In this episode, the Trade Guys welcome another special guest, Cody Lusk, who is the president and CEO of the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA). Lusk joins the Trade Guys in the studio right after the Trump administration announced that it would delay its decision on levying tariffs on auto imports. So, what will this mean for the auto industry? Lusk tells us what he's hearing and what's on the mind of auto dealers across the nation. Hosted by H. Andrew Schwartz and produced by Yumi Araki at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Download full transcript here.

In this episode, Olya and Jeff sit down with Bill Courtney for a complete tour d’Eurasie. Bill is an adjunct senior fellow at the RAND Corporation and a former career foreign service officer. He served as ambassador to Georgia, Kazakhstan, and the U.S.-Soviet Bilateral Consultative Commission, and covered Russia and Eurasia on the NSC. We discuss the Russian economy, from taxi drivers and pension reform to sanctions and business conditions, and recent developments in Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Armenia. At 3:34, Olya erroneously states that the minimum retirement age for women in Russia is being raised to 60. It is being raised to 63. At 34:20 Jeff mentions the evolution of the term “Eastern Europe.” For context, we recommend you read Timothy Garten Ash’s article on the topic, here: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1986/10/09/does-central-europe-exist/. You can view Bill’s (illustrious) bio and read his recent publications, here: https://www.rand.org/about/people/c/courtney_william.html. As always, keep sending us mailbag questions! If you would like to have your question answered on the podcast, send it to us! Email rep@csis.org and put “Russian Roulette” in the subject line. And, if you have one, include your Twitter handle, so we can notify you publicly when we answer your question (or, if you don’t want us to, tell us that). We look forward to hearing from you.

CSIS experts Dr. Kathleen Hicks and Heather Conley discuss the impact of the July NATO Summit on future relations between the U.S. and Europe and examine the growing rift between the U.S., NATO, and Turkey.

The essential partnership between the European Union and the United States is based on decades of shared values and prosperity but has been largely taken for granted for much of the past 20 years. Today, the transatlantic partnership is experiencing challenging times as tariffs and trade rebalancing measures are imposed and America’s security commitment to Europe is at times contested. Following his meeting with President Donald J. Trump, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will offer his vision of Europe and transatlantic relations in a changing world.

Please join us on Wednesday July 11 for a timely conversation with Heather Conley and Michael J. Green who will share thoughts on the future of U.S. alliances in Europe and Asia after the G7 and Singapore Summits and on the eve of the NATO Brussels Summit. This event is made possible through Stuart Family Foundation.

Dr. Christos Stylianides serves as the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management and is the European Union Ebola Coordinator. Christos joins us for this episode to discuss how the current Ebola response has differed from the response in 2014 and the leading role that Europe is playing in that response. He also discusses his current work to expand resources for education services for children and adolescents living through crises and emergency situations.   Hosted by Steve Morrison. Produced by Alex Bush. Edited by Ribka Gemilangsari. 

From the North Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific, the French navy is responsible for securing the world’s second-largest maritime domain. In a discussion moderated by ISP Senior Advisor Mark Cancian, Admiral Prazuck will discuss the challenges the French navy faces and the role that it plays in France’s defense and national security strategies. This event is made possible by general funding to CSIS and the International Security Program.