Trump’s Scorched Earth Tour of Europe

by Mitchell Plitnick Like many other US citizens, I get very nervous every time Donald Trump goes to meet with foreign leaders. Whether they are friend, foe, competitor, or ally, it seems almost inevitable that Trump will find a creative… Continue Reading

Black Cube Crosses Another Line

by Mitchell Plitnick The private Israeli intelligence firm, Black Cube, is back in the headlines. This time, ex-employees have spilled the beans on a program to throw shade on non-governmental organizations in Hungary to help ensure the electoral victory of… Continue Reading

The Politics Behind the Sabotage of the Iran Deal in Europe

by Eldar Mamedov As the EU scrambles to offer a viable package of economic incentives to convince Iran to stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after the US withdrawal, some forces are attempting to undermine this effort… Continue Reading

Macron’s Extreme Centrism: Democratic Threat

by Juliette Legendre French President Emmanuel Macron has been crusading to all corners of the world, receiving applause for his impassioned pleas on behalf of the postwar liberal order in the face of rising authoritarianism and nationalism. This spring, in his… Continue Reading

As Trump Goes Nuclear on Iranian Oil, Europe Must Match His Brinkmanship

by Esfandyar Batmanghelidj In the view of veteran observers of the oil industry, Trump has “gone nuclear.” Speaking during a background briefing on Tuesday, a senior state department official announced that the the Trump administration wants to completely eliminate imports… Continue Reading