Josh Kurlantzick’s Post

2024 Issue 1 of Theory and Practice of Legislation has now been published. Wise, Suslova and Brown have a very timely article on the legislative response of the Ukrainian Parliament to the invasion by Russia. One aspect of the response is the huge legislative workload: bringing Ukraine closer to the EU, economic reforms, promoting the rule of law and combating corruption. Having drafted some legislation implementing EU law at the domestic level myself, I am very much aware of the magnitude of the task of domesticating the EU acquis. A surprising conclusion is that far from stalling reform, the invasion has actually advanced it. The authors detail the reasons for this, including political leadership and bipartisan support for the legislative process. There remains the classic dilemma  – balancing the speed of law-making versus the quality of that law. https://lnkd.in/eKMH4zcq

My latest, in the Center for International Policy Journal, with Maximilian Hess, on how and why western institutions should engage Turkey to elicit more cooperation on Ukraine and restore the rule of law. We argue that while cooperation has been incredibly frustrating lately, it is crucially important that the west do what it can to foster good relations and promote democratic reform as we approach the possibility of a post-Erdoğan future.

🌍 The Urgent Need for Global Governance 🌍 As hyper-nationalist policies like "America First" gain traction, the world faces a troubling slide toward chaos. With conflicts escalating and powerful nations often ignoring international law, the effectiveness of the UN is seriously in question. Current crises, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and ongoing violence in Palestine, highlight the urgent need for a stronger United Nations that can enforce peace and uphold international law. Want to dive deeper into this critical issue and explore potential solutions for a more peaceful world? 👉 Read the full blog post by following the link below.

🇪🇺 Following the announcement of the new College of Commissioners last week, hear what the European Democracy Hub fellows think 👇  💬 Alberto Alemanno "Democracy appears in three portfolios of the new European Commission - from Tech Sovereignty to Justice and Budget. Yet none of them is meant to promote and support #democracy as a form of legitimate participation enabling the citizens and residents of the #EU to shape the political agenda and hold their representatives accountable. Democracy is instead narrowly defined as the fight against foreign interference, disinformation and corruption. There’s more to democracy than the technocratic effort to create the conditions for some minimal forms of democratic governance to survive.” 💬 Giselle Bosse “Enlargement is a ‘geostrategic, economic & moral imperative.’ The new Commission must maintain momentum and resist member states delaying the process for short-sighted domestic gains. Democracy support is key, and the EU itself must be credible - Commissioners should have no record of corruption, undemocratic practices, or mismanagement. #Enlargement must better engage citizens in both the #EU & candidate countries. Geopolitics can’t excuse de-democratisation. Countering Russian aggression requires stability = democracy + stronger EU security/defence policies & NATO membership." 💬 Tinatin Tsertsvadze " 1️⃣ Sanctions are an important instrument in the #EU's common foreign and security policy toolbox. Yet, their full potential has been hampered by weak implementation and #enforcement. It is welcome that #VonDerLeyen has outlined “more effective enforcement of #sanctions and addressing the issue of circumvention” in mission letters. Concrete steps should follow, such as establishing a centralised oversight body and conducting more investigations into the sanction’s #circumvention. 2️⃣ It is also welcome that #RuleofLaw and #FundamentalValues are part of the mandate of the Commissioner for Enlargement. However, it's worrisome that human rights, democracy & rule of law aren't mentioned as priorities in other mission letters. The EU, as a normative actor, must be guided in external actions by upholding fundamental rights. This is what differentiates the EU from others." Learn more about the fellows 👉 https://lnkd.in/eVeuaHmR

In this brand new memo, Heather Grabbe Alicia Garcia-Herrero 艾西亞 and Jean Pisani-Ferry write to the incoming High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy with objectives for the next five years, stating that the EU must adapt to a harsher world They delve into the governance issues in the EU and provide recommendations on how to tackle the challenges facing the EU in this electoral period https://lnkd.in/e4xmkQzy

Join us for our webinar 'Election Aftermath: UK’s Global Engagement and Policy Shifts' on the 16th of July from 12:00pm - 1:00pm UK time. The UK has a new government at a time of conflict and contestation in global politics. Please join TL4 and Control Risks to explore what Labour is likely to bring for the UK’s role in the world, specifically its relationship with the US, EU and the Middle East. Our discussion will focus on: 🔥 How the UK will seek to manage conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; 🔥 Seek to develop the trans-Atlantic relationship with a Democrat or Republican president; 🔥 Evolve its relationship with Europe; 🔥 Engage with international partners on economic crime and trade sanctions. Register your free place here: https://lnkd.in/e7YvA_rQ Henry Smith Meredith Morrison Alexandra Kellert Sir William Patey

The Visegrad Four, a group of four Central European countries (#CzechRepublic, #Hungary, #Poland and #Slovakia) were once united in their efforts to overcome their Soviet legacy and integrate into Western institutions. However, as a result of recent elections in the countries, the group has dissolved into two distinct camps. Research Associate, Adriana Svitkova in our Business Intelligence Central Europe team, shares insight into the changing political and economic landscape in the Group, and how this has affected the business environment for investors: https://bit.ly/3TOad3y #VisegradFour #BusinessIntelligence

This #EU #Commission has dealt with a series of crises that few had imagined would occur, let alone all in the space of a few years. We may disagree on individual #policies (and in fact many were counter productive) and certain priorities, but we can’t question the attempts to find a way through the difficult moments and towards a better world. We need more ambition, more self confidence, more leadership from Europe! We all need to try to make a positive impact, ideally together. Ursula von der Leyen European Commission #CCIAeurope CCIA Europe https://lnkd.in/eZFtArtq

https://lnkd.in/gC9ak2B5. An update on the potential enlargement of the European Union.

A few thoughts on maps, multilateral institutions and the future of US foreign policy: https://lnkd.in/em4cv5XE