Dr Alina Polyakova

@apolyakova.bsky.social

President & CEO @cepa.org; Prof Johns Hopkins SAIS; former Brookings Institution; Berkeley PhD, Russia, Europe, democracy, tech policy. Views my own. Media requests: press@cepa.org

NATO's evolution is crucial to discuss in the changing nature of global threats today. @apolyakova.bsky.social testifies in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on US-Europe security cooperation ahead of the 2025 NATO Summit.

NATO SUMMIT 2025: AN ASSESSMENT OF TRANSATLANTIC SECURITY COOPERATION | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Full Committee Hearing on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING BUSINESS MEETING

foreign.senate.gov

Improving connectivity and boosting economic development around NATO’s Eastern Flank is imperative to long-term security guarantees. Ambassador Georgette Mosbacher and @apolyakova.bsky.social discuss how the Three Seas Initiative will make this a reality. cepa.org/podcast/amb-...

Amb. Georgette Mosbacher on NATO’s Eastern Flank

Ambassador Georgette Mosbacher joins CEPA to discuss Poland, NATO, and the transatlantic alliance amid rising geopolitical threats.

cepa.org

“Without any real pressure, the Russians are not budging and playing for time, and they are getting what they want: a US that is so frustrated with the negotiations that they seem to just want Ukraine to say yes to accepting Russia’s maximalist demands.” @apolyakova.bsky.social

Trump Blames Zelensky as Ukraine Peace Talks Stumble

After the Ukrainian leader criticized President Trump’s proposed peace plan, U.S. officials again threatened to walk away from negotiations.

buff.ly

As SecDef said, Europe needs to lead in securing Ukraine with a deterrence force to enforce any negotiation, but sans a US backstop, deterrence will fail as it did in 2022. @cepa.org's peace plan lays out the steps needed for sustainable, not temporary, peace.

How to Win: A Seven-Point Plan for Sustainable Peace in Ukraine

CEPA's International Leadership Council outlines seven priorities for US and EU policymakers to achieve sustainable peace in Ukraine.

cepa.org

NATO launched a Baltic patrol mission - glad to see the Alliance take up a core recommendation from @cepa.org 2023 study that called on the alliance do just that. Baltic Sea security is core to NATO’s ability to defend and deter Russia.

NATO launches Baltic patrol mission, eyes standard for detaining ships

The operation, dubbed “Baltic Sentry,” will dispatch national contributions as well as joint assets to the strategically located body of water.

defensenews.com

Not helpful for core US allies to talk about "shameful” dependencies on the US tech during a time when the US & Europe have to work more closely than ever to outcompete China — working with US tech companies is an asset for Europe that can’t compete alone.

EU must not be 'weak and defeatist' to gain Trump's respect: Macron

The European Union came out of the first Trump presidency stronger and must continue to become more independent, the French president told his top diplomats. #EuropeNews

euronews.com

Reflecting on 2024's highlights, as Sweden joined NATO, CEPA continued to focus on the security concerns on the High North and Nordic Baltic, releasing a key report of recommendations on the implications of security threats in the Arctic for NATO.

Up North: Confronting Arctic Insecurity Implications for the United States and NATO

Geopolitics and strategic competition mean the Arctic security landscape is changing fast. The US and NATO must deter Russian aggression.

buff.ly

In 2024, CEPA has been at the forefront of transatlantic tech policy – tech innovation is integral to the future of Europe, led by the D9+. Digital solidarity, rather than digital sovereignty, is the way forward to compete on tech with China.

Boosting Europe’s Digital Leaders: A New Momentum for the D9+

The D9+ should become a positive messenger for an open digital economy, pushing Europe to meet its ambitious goals for the Digital Decade.

buff.ly

Sec Gen is right: NATO should focus on making sure that Ukraine gets to a position of strength, and signaling to Moscow that Europe is willing to send personnel to enforce any line of contact should be a part of that message.

Zelensky to Meet With E.U. Leaders to Discuss Ukraine’s Future

As Donald J. Trump prepares to take office in the United States, President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a meeting hosted by the NATO chief to plot the path forward in the war with Russia.

nytimes.com