About Us

Who We Are

The Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy research institute dedicated to the study of Central Europe. Founded in 2005, CEPA provides a forum for scholarly research, writing and debate on key issues affecting the countries of the Central European region, their membership in the European Union and relationship with the United States.

Mission

In its work on this region, CEPA seeks to promote an economically vibrant Central Europe with close and enduring ties to the United States.

Why Now?

CEPA enters the public debate about Europe’s future at a pivotal moment for the Central European region and the transatlantic relationship. With their recent accessions to the EU and NATO, the ten former communist countries of Central Europe – Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia – find themselves in a position of growing economic, political and strategic prominence in Euro-Atlantic affairs:

• Economically, the region’s dynamic, pro-growth policies have made it a leading venue for U.S. investment and a role model for EU-wide reform.
• Politically, Central European countries are among America’s most reliable allies and a powerful new force in EU decision-making councils.
• Strategically, the region plays a vital role in global U.S. military force-projection and is at the forefront of EU efforts to cope with a geopolitically-resurgent Russia.

However, in spite of its growing importance, Central Europe is one of the most neglected areas of study in the U.S. foreign policy community. Of the numerous public and non-profit initiatives that were created in to work on the region in the 1990s, few remain. Aside from CEPA, no American think-tank works exclusively on Central Europe.

Philosophy

In keeping with the principles that guided U.S. policy in America’s efforts to free Central Europe from Soviet rule, CEPA embraces a philosophy that is Atlanticist and pro-free market:

Having waged three wars – two hot and one cold – to liberate Europe, the United States has a vested interest in remaining engaged in European affairs. This is especially true in Central Europe, where America has played a historic role in support of democracy and self-determination. CEPA believes that the United States must remain an active force in Central Europe, even if other areas of the globe grab our attention in more dramatic ways.

The economic integration of Europe is good for both Central Europe and the United States. CEPA supports the EU’s efforts to construct a functioning Single Market, where goods, services, labor and capital move unimpeded across borders. Though economic liberalization is not a frictionless process, CEPA believes that it offers the surest path to prosperity - both for the region and the wider EU.

Issue Focus

Since its founding, CEPA has become the go-to organization in Washington for timely research, original analysis, and balanced advocacy on the full spectrum of Central European affairs. Center scholars work on a wide range of issues under three broad categories of research – geopolitics, the economy and energy security:

• In geopolitics, CEPA seeks to deepen and prolong the special relationships with Central European allies that America inherited from the Cold War, while identifying new opportunities for U.S.-Central European strategic partnership.
• In economics, CEPA seeks to identify market-friendly strategies for accelerating economic growth in Central Europe and increasing U.S. investment in the region.
• In energy, CEPA aims to formulate recommendations for bolstering the energy security of America’s allies in the region.

Publications

In its work on these issues, CEPA produces publications that are designed to reach target audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Center scholars publish in a wide variety of formats – from the editorial pages of leading American and European newspapers, magazines and political journals to policy memos, background papers and books. Since its founding in 2005, CEPA has produced more than a hundred publications, and the institute’s work has been translated into more than a dozen languages.

Central Europe Digest

One of the Center’s most successful initiatives is Central Europe Digest – a bi-weekly Web magazine highlighting significant regional developments that fail to make it into the American press. Washington’s only periodical exclusively dedicated to Central European affairs, the Digest draws on an extensive network of affiliated writers from a variety of backgrounds in academia, policy and business. Central Europe Digest plays a key role in CEPA’s efforts to raise the profile of Central European issues in Washington.

Outreach

Through aggressive networking and one-on-one briefings, CEPA scholars maintain close and continuing contacts with government officials, leading intellectuals and business leaders on both sides of the Atlantic.

CEPA holds public events in Washington, DC and Central Europe providing a forum for discussion and debate on important and timely policy issues. Drawing on close relationships with leading universities and research institutes in the United States and abroad, the Center hosts lectures by prominent policymakers and leading scholars with expertise in regional affairs.

Special Programs

As part of its efforts to raise the profile of Central European affairs in U.S. policy community, CEPA has created a number of special educational and advisory programs:

• The CEPA Distinguished Leader program brings high-profile regional leaders to educate the American public about Central Europe’s significance for the United States. In 2007-8, the position has been held by renowned Polish economist Leszek Balcerowicz.

• The CEPA Advisory Council is a prestigious grouping that includes some of the nation’s most renowned foreign policy and economic experts. Drawn from accomplished backgrounds in academia, government and business, Council members convene annually to debate regional affairs and provide the institute with intellectual guidance.

Impact

Since its founding in 2005, CEPA has profoundly altered the landscape of Central European policy studies in Washington. Center publications are widely disseminated in the U.S. diplomatic, military and intelligence communities and enjoy an avid and rapidly-growing readership in the embassies and capitals of Europe. The institute’s work is frequently cited in government reports and Embassy cables, and has earned praise from high-ranking U.S. and regional officials. Center scholars are actively sought out for expert commentary and advice by policymakers at the Pentagon, Department of State, National Security Council and the Foreign Ministries and Parliaments of Central Europe.

CEPA's Contribution

Through its scholarly research, publications and public events, CEPA brings together the best and brightest American and Central European scholars in the field, collaborating with leading academic institutions and working directly with European and U.S. policymakers from across the political landscape.

By filling this niche, the institute is steadily raising the profile of a group of countries that, despite their strategic, economic and historic importance to the United States, might otherwise slip between the cracks of the U.S. think-tank community. In so doing, CEPA is helping to ensure that the relationships that America has cultivated with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia endure beyond the current generation and remain strategically robust and economically vibrant well into the 21st Century.

What Others Say About Us

“CEPA has made an important contribution to the foreign policy debate in Washington.”
-- Bob Dole, U.S. Senator, retired

“The foundation of CEPA couldn’t have come at a better time in U.S.-Polish relations. CEPA provides some of the finest analyses in Washington and is frequently discussed in the Polish government.”
-- Radek Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Poland

“With its unique focus on Central Europe, CEPA fills an important gap and brings a bold contribution to the discussion on transatlantic relations. Its fresh ideas, brilliant analysis and vast network of contacts make it a real insider in Euro-Atlantic politics.”
-- Petr Kolář, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States

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