PS21 update week ending April 22

A couple of really great events upcoming in London next week, firstly a discussion on Wednesday on Whitehall with former US national intelligence officer for Russia Fiona Hill and then another on Thursday on the future of the European Union. On Thursday in Washington, meanwhile, we’ll be talking about the future of NATO.

Many thanks to those who attended our events this week, a joint networking drinks with Young Professionals in Foreign Policy in London and a truly excellent discussion on European energy security in DC.

For those interested, here’s a link to my Reuters column this week which focuses on the recent aerial and naval confrontations with Russia and China and risk of accidental escalation.

Executive Director, PS21

LONDON

Putin’s Russia and America’s take on Europe

Wednesday, April 27, 2015, 5:30 PM. Whitehall

A discussion in the heart of Whitehall with Fiona Hill, former US national intelligence officer for Russia, author of “Mr. Putin — Operative in the Kremlin” and head of the Europe program at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC.

The Future of Europe in a Time of Crises

Thursday, April 28, 2015, 6 PM. Location TBC

From the migration crisis to militant attacks and Britain’s Brexit vote, a resurgent Russia to ongoing issues with the single currency, Europe faces more challenges that any point in its recent history. What does the immediate future have in store for the continent and how, if at all, can it overcome its issues? In conjunction with Young Professionals in Foreign Policy.

Tom Beasley [moderator] — company secretary, PS21

Gwenn Laine — a former French Navy officer, now PS21 global fellow

Holder Schmieding –– Berenberg Economics

Marina Prentoulis — University of East Anglia. Spokeswoman, Greece’s Syriza party

WASHINGTON DC

The Future Of NATO

Thursday, April 28, 6 PM. Thomson Reuters, 1333 H St. NW. Washington DC

With the return of tensions with Russia in Eastern Europe, NATO seems to have a new lease of life as the mainstay of Europe’s defense. But with Donald Trump and other US politicians increasing the questioning Washingtons commitments – and no shortage of strains within the European Union on a whole host of issues – what really lies ahead for the transatllantic alliance.

Peter Apps – global affairs columnist, Reuters

Rachel Rizzo – Research Associate, Center for a New American Security

Robbie Gramer – Associate Director, Transatlantic Security Initiative, Atlantic Council