Building on her recent research into different forms of civic activism in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, Kateryna Pishchikova, Fellow at the Transatlantic Academy, analyzed a range of recent civic initiatives in those countries and put them in the broader context of more than two decades of uncertain political transformation.

"Weak states can be both policy takers and, occasionally, policy makers," argues Laszlo Borhi in a presentation examining weak states in East Central Europe in the 20th century. Focusing on several case studies, Borhi looks at three periods: the aftermath of World War I and World War II and the post-1989 era.

While China’s rise is often viewed through its wide-ranging political and economic effects on the world, its growing impacts on the physical planet will leave a more permanent legacy. In his new book, The Devouring Dragon, Craig Simons argues that China’s growing consumer demands have pushed China from being a small player in global resource consumption to its most voracious participant in just a decade. China’s transition is already having massive impacts on the environment.

As the United States focuses more attention to Asia politically, economically, and militarily, South Korea is reassessing its own role in ensuring stability in the region. Can Seoul and Washington work more closely together to further security and prosperity between the two countries and across the Asia-Pacific? How will the U.S. pivot toward Asia impact Washington’s security alliance with South Korea? Will the possibility of South Korea joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership help or hinder the U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement?