Wilson Center Experts
Ronald Linden
European Studies
Related Content for this Expert
283. East Europe in the Middle East: Contributions and Challenges
Jul 07, 2011Involvement in the Middle East is not something new for the states of East Europe, especially those in southeast Europe, such as Bulgaria and Romania. During the communist period both countries traded extensively with Iraq and Libya, whose regimes were not receptive to Western countries. Bulgarian and Romanian involvement in the Middle East now comes, not as supporters of a putative struggle against Western imperialism or exploitation, but as allies in a security—based struggle against tyranny and terrorism. Moreover, it is the US—more than any European ally—that is determining the terms of that struggle and demanding contributions, including from new allies. Although the East European allies have seemed more eager than most to contribute to the US-led coalition, these new circumstances and demands set up unique challenges to the new allies in East Europe. more
Symposium: Evaluating the Effects of EU Accession: Lessons for Southeast Europe
June 09, 2009 // 1:00pm — 5:00pm
The countries of Central and East Europe have been profoundly affected by the EU accession process. Indeed, no single state or international institution has had as great an impact on domestic change as the EU has had in postcommunist Europe. Eight countries from the region have now been EU members for five years, and further enlargement to the Western Balkans is a shared goal of the United States and the EU. As this process continues, it is important to assess the impact EU accession and membership has made on these countries' politics, markets, societies, and international relations. more
Webcast
Symposium: Evaluating the Effects of EU Accession: Lessons for Southeast Europe
June 09, 2009 // 1:00pm — 5:00pm
The countries of Central and East Europe have been profoundly affected by the EU accession process. Indeed, no single state or international institution has had as great an impact on domestic change as the EU has had in postcommunist Europe. Eight countries from the region have now been EU members for five years, and further enlargement to the Western Balkans is a shared goal of the United States and the EU. As this process continues, it is important to assess the impact EU accession and membership has made on these countries' politics, markets, societies, and international relations.
283. East Europe in the Middle East: Contributions and Challenges
Jul 07, 2011Involvement in the Middle East is not something new for the states of East Europe, especially those in southeast Europe, such as Bulgaria and Romania. During the communist period both countries traded extensively with Iraq and Libya, whose regimes were not receptive to Western countries. Bulgarian and Romanian involvement in the Middle East now comes, not as supporters of a putative struggle against Western imperialism or exploitation, but as allies in a security—based struggle against tyranny and terrorism. Moreover, it is the US—more than any European ally—that is determining the terms of that struggle and demanding contributions, including from new allies. Although the East European allies have seemed more eager than most to contribute to the US-led coalition, these new circumstances and demands set up unique challenges to the new allies in East Europe.