战略与国际研究中心-Europe-Program-February-2006-E_8页_941kb

CSIS Europe Program E-Watch Summary - February 2006

Core Content

The CSIS Europe Program E-Watch for February 2006 provides an overview of upcoming and recent events, analyses of European Union developments, and highlights key publications and outreach activities. It is published monthly and is led by Robin Niblett, the Europe Program Director, with Simon Serfaty, the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, serving as senior advisor. The bulletin is supported by The German Marshall Fund of the United States and aims to inform policymakers and interested parties about transatlantic and European issues.

Upcoming Events (February - March 2006)

• February 22nd: Transatlantic Marshall Dialogue with Joschka Fischer (former German Foreign Minister) and Zbigniew Brzezinski (former U.S. National Security Adviser).
  • Topic: "The Future of Transatlantic Relations"
  • Focus: Recent improvements in transatlantic relations and global challenges facing Europe and the U.S.
  • RSVP: Natalia Filipiak, nfilipiak@csis.org

Recent Events (January - February 2006)

• January 11th: Senior European Dialogue with Christian Schmidt (German Deputy Defense Minister).

  • Focus: New German government's security and defense policy.

• January 17th: Statesmen's Forum with Guy Verhofstadt (Belgian Prime Minister).

  • Topic: "The View from Brussels"
  • Focus: Outlining Europe's future following the rejection of the European Constitutional Treaty.

• January 24th: Transatlantic Briefing with Admiral Giampaolo di Paola (Italian Chief of Defense Staff).

  • Topic: "Emerging Transnational Threats"
  • Focus: NATO transformation and contributions to the global war on terror.

• February 13th: Congressional Staff Forum on Capitol Hill.

  • Topic: "Transatlantic Consensus and Iran's Nuclear Ambitions"
  • Focus: Discussion on Iran's nuclear program and U.S. policy.

News & Analysis (January - February 2006)

EU Integration

• Finland: Announced plans to remove immigration restrictions for workers from Central and Eastern Europe starting May 2006.
• EU Enlargement: The EU continues to support future enlargement, despite public concerns. Romania is working to reduce corruption ahead of EU membership.

Counterterrorism

• UK: British Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri was sentenced to seven years for inciting racial hatred and violence.
• EU: Calls for a reevaluation of NATO's strategic concept by 2008 or 2009, as part of a broader transatlantic security dialogue.

Economics & the Euro

• EU: Threatened to retaliate with up to $4 billion in trade sanctions if the U.S. ignores a WTO ruling against export tax breaks.
• EU Economic Policy: The EU considers Slovenia ready for the euro, while the Baltic states need more work.

Member States Developments

United Kingdom

• Gordon Brown: Proposed new counter-terror measures, including increased funding for MI5 and MI6 and extended detention powers for terror suspects.
• UK Troops in Iraq: UK Defense Secretary John Reid indicated a potential withdrawal from Iraq by the end of 2006.

France

• Nicolas Sarkozy: Advocated for a new immigration model emphasizing skilled workers and restricting family reunification.
• French Referendum: The "no" vote on the EU Constitutional Treaty raised concerns about economic issues, enlargement, and sovereignty.

Germany

• Angela Merkel: Advocated for a reevaluation of NATO's strategy and emphasized a foreign policy reorientation toward Eastern Europe.

Italy

• Romano Prodi: Unveiled his election manifesto, focusing on job security and support for low-income earners.
• Italy's Withdrawal from Iraq: Confirmed a timetable for full withdrawal by the end of 2006.

Spain

• Catalan Autonomy: Spanish lawmakers debated the constitutionality of increased Catalan self-rule.
• Zapatero's Visit to Ceuta and Melilla: Caused controversy with the Moroccan government.

Poland

• Lech Kaczynski: Sought U.S. support for extending Poland's involvement in Iraq until 2007.
• Veto on VAT: Poland lifted its veto on the EU's new sales tax regime after a weeklong dispute.

Transatlantic Relations

• EU and U.S.: The EU criticized the U.S. for unfair visa rules toward new EU members.
• Hamas Aid Cutoff: The U.S. sought European support to cut aid to Hamas if it does not change its stance on Israel and violence.
• Tech-Transfer Talks: U.S. and U.K. initiated discussions to increase British access to U.S. defense technologies.

Key Publications

• "Visions of the Atlantic Alliance" (Simon Serfaty, 2005): Analyzes U.S.-EU-NATO relations, featuring insights from leading scholars.
• "Test of Will, Tests of Efficacy" (CSIS Initiative for a Renewed Transatlantic Partnership, 2005): Outlines a six-point agenda for strengthening transatlantic cooperation.
• "Europe Inside-Out" (Robin Niblett, 2005): Examines European politics and the transatlantic relationship.
• "A Europe of Weak Leaders" (Simon Serfaty, 2005): Critiques European leadership and its impact on transatlantic relations.

Outreach Activities

• Robin Niblett: Engaged in numerous media appearances and panel discussions on transatlantic relations, European integration, and U.S. foreign policy.
• Simon Serfaty: Participated in various lectures and panels, including discussions on French-American relations, the war on terror, and European defense.

Additional Resources

• Euro-Focus: A quarterly brief on European events and trends. Link
• Select Briefing: A weekly newsletter on developments in new EU member states. Subscription available via email.

Contact Information

• E-Watch Contact: Natalia Filipiak, nfilipiak@csis.org
• CSIS Europe Program: Website
• German Marshall Fund of the United States: Provides generous support for CSIS Europe Program activities.