Eastern Journal of European Studies

2010 - 2020

From Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University
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Volume 2(1), issue June, 2011

Optimal taxation and monitoring in an economy with matching frictions and underground activities pp. 5-11

Gaetano Lisi

The increase of rural development measures efficiency at the micro-regions level by cluster analysis. A Romanian case study pp. 13-39

Maria Vincze and Elemer Mezei

The economic crisis and its management in Spain pp. 41-55

Andrea Éltetõ

On the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights pp. 57-65

Aurora Ciuca

The role of EU institutions in implementing its monetary policy pp. 67-79

Emilia Georgieva

Discursive differences and policy outcomes: EU-Russia relations and security in Europe pp. 81-95

Licínia Simao

Some considerations on the EU Danube Strategy and the Black Sea Region pp. 97-110

Costel Coroban

Policies for strategic territorial development.Inter-municipality association as a form of network governance: the Italian experience pp. 111-128

Patrizia Messina

Problems of Romanian SMEs with tapping EU structural funds pp. 129-146

Gabor Hunya

BOOK REVIEW - John McClintock, The Uniting of Nations: An Essay on Global Governance pp. 147-150

Lucian-Dumitru Dîrdalã

Volume 11(SI), issue November, 2020

Editorial: Cross border cooperation and peripheral areas in Europe Abstract: Borders and links are common to any system and the interaction occurring through them is essential to the existence of those systems (Chadwick, 1970). Territorial systems like countries, regions, towns and communities depend strongly on the structuring and channelling performances of their links borders. As argued by (Anderson et al., 2003) there are cisergic - both negative and positive - consequences of borders and links. In the location of activities, in the allocation of public facilities and related fiscal issues, in the flows of goods, services, people and capital and in the creation and enrichment of trust; all of them fundamental for economic development, especially in the case of borders associated with the peripheral territories pp. 5-7

Tomaz Dentinho

European integration and its effects on population in border and peripheral regions Abstract: This paper contributes to the literature that explores the effects of European integration, providing new evidence about its impact on population distribution in the EU28 regions (NUTS 3 level) during the period 2000-2018. The main objectives are to explore the effects of the recent three EU enlargements on the growth in population share within the border regions and to compare the behaviour between core and peripheral regions. We use an empirical difference-in-difference approach. The findings show that border regions experienced positive effects on growth in population share since EU integration, but it did not completely reverse their relative population decline. At the same time, the process of European integration seems to have aggravated the demographic decline of EU peripheral regions compared to the EU core regions. Moreover, for the regions that are both border and peripheral, the EU integration effect has been stronger than in border only regions pp. 8-27

Sofia Gouveia, Leonida Correia and Patrícia Martins

Crossing borders in higher education? A comparative case study at the intersections of EU regional and higher education policies Abstract: BEven though the European Union’s policy for regional development addresses higher education institutions, there is little research on the relationship between EU regional and higher education (HE) policies. To account for the role of EU regional policy instruments such as the European Territorial Cooperation programmes, i.e. Interreg, in fostering EU HE policy, this paper adopts a theoretical framework that unites assumptions of top-down and bottom-up Europeanisation. Two cooperation initiatives, located in the Greater Region and around Lake Constance, reveal the impact of Europeanisation on cross-border cooperation (CBC) among HE institutions. The data of 34 semi-structured interviews conducted with various stakeholders at the locations of the two initiatives and in Brussels demonstrates that Interreg alters actor constellations and interests in cross-border contexts. When conceived as an opportunity structure, Interreg may foster the CBC efforts of HE institutions. Given that Interreg also displays a constraint, HE institutions attempt to contribute to both EU regional and HE policy development pp. 28-46

Alina Felder

The process of joint learning as a determinant of cross-border project management Abstract: Cross-border projects are aimed at reinforcing relations between partners and achieving mutual objectives important for cooperating organisations and for the development of the borderland in which they are implemented. The quality and sustainability of these projects' results depends, among others, on the manner of skilful management thereof. Many processes in the projects are based on knowledge. Mutual planning and implementation of a cross-border project includes joint resolution of the problem underlying the project and, at the same time, providing a joint learning opportunity for partners. Therefore, knowledge can be treated as an important factor influencing the cross-border project management process. The paper is aimed at assessing the impact of the process of joint learning in cross-border projects on the effectiveness of managing them. The research problem was solved due to the quantitative and qualitative research in the Polish-Czech-Slovak borderlands (2018-2019). Research conclusions proved that sharing knowledge and experiences has a significant impact on the effectiveness of cross-border project management pp. 47-76

Joanna Kurowska-Pysz

Assessing the social and cultural impacts of the European Capital of Culture programme in cross-border regions. A research agenda Abstract: The paper delivers a comparative overview of the research on capturing the impacts of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) programme by connecting the literature on urban regeneration with the literature on sustainable development. We observe a shift from assessing mainly the economic impacts towards the challenging task of capturing the social and cultural impacts in the context of the increasing preoccupation for assuring a long-term legacy of the programme. The paper also provides a comparative examination of the research methodology (impacts and indicators) for the self-evaluation proposed by three future ECoCs placed in cross-border regions: Timisoara 2021, Novi Sad 2021 and Esch-sur-Alzette 2022. Comparing data, we observed that different ECoCs have similar discursive understandings of the social and cultural impacts of the title. Still, they use different fine-tunes indicators for measuring these impacts or the cross-border cooperation, which is a neglected aspect of the ECoC evaluation pp. 77-98

Corina Turșie and Thomas Perrin

Quality of governance in the Eastern Partnership countries: the role of the EU, Russia and domestic conditions pp. 99-119

Valeria Stefania Caras

The EU's multifaceted approach to resilience building in the Eastern Neighbourhood. Security sector reform in Ukraine Abstract: The EU's Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy is based on five pillars, one of which prioritizes state and societal resilience to the East and South. However, the promotion of state and societal resilience in its vicinity is not portrayed as a totally altruistic policy, being motivated also by rational considerations, as fragility beyond borders threatens the EU's vital interests, while a resilient state is a secure state, and security is crucial for prosperity and democracy. Accordingly, the current article has set as its main objectives the deciphering of what the European Community understands by state and societal resilience in its neighbourhood, and what mix of instruments is using for achieving it. We have chosen as our case study to examine the efficiency of the EUAM mission in resilience building in Ukraine. Within these lines we advance a multifaceted approach to resilience, as in our opinion, stability and prosperity in the Eastern vicinity cannot be achieved only through Deep and Comprehensive Trade Agreements, cross-border cooperation projects, various ENP instruments, but also through more active diplomacy, preventive measures and engagement in crises and conflict management under the auspices of the Common Security and Defence Policy pp. 120-145

Edina Lilla Mészáros and Constantin Vasile Țoca

Rethinking the Governance-Governmentality-Governability nexus at the EU's Eastern Frontiers: the Carpathian Euroregion 2.0 and the future of EU-Ukrainian Cross-Border cooperation Abstract: The EU's neighbourhood policy and the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in particular envisage bilateral and multilateral platforms for promoting cooperation between the EU and non-EU countries, and their regions. The Union's decade-old Eastern Partnership (EaP) policy framework, too, aims at increasing cross-border connectivity and capacity-building for good governance, including in Ukraine - one of the six EaP states. Within the EU-Ukrainian borderland, one of the key - but hardly unproblematic - roles in driving cross-border interactions as well as regional dialogue and development has been performed for the past three decades by the Carpathian Euroregion, whose agency is more attributable to distinct national representations than associated with the Euroregion as a whole. Empirically disentangling the institutional design and performance of the Carpathian Euroregion, with an emphasis on the Ukrainian part, this article seeks to contextualize and conceptualize the very phenomenon and varied practice of Euroregions forged along and beyond the EU-Ukraine borderlands. Drawing on the literature on cross-border governance, the article also integrates insights from the governmentality and governability studies (within the herewith originally theorized 'governance-governmentality-governability' nexus) in order to provide a more synergetic and encompassing analytical perspective on the past, present and the future of EU-Ukraine cross-border and inter-regional cooperation, Carpathian region-building - and the renewed role of the Carpathian Euroregion therein pp. 146-183

Halyna Lytvyn and Andriy Tyushka

Developing a cross-border governance framework for the EU and Turkish border regions Abstract: State borders have been transforming from physical lines into integrated regions constructed with cross-border cooperation. The increase of flows between both sides of the border causes a change in socio-economic relations and makes the border region an area of social practice, involving multidimensional relations of local, regional, national and supranational actors. These relationships necessitate the emergence of new governance practices specific to these regions and multidimensional, complex institutional structures framed by common settings of the countries on either side of the border. This study aims to propose a governance framework by considering the dynamics of border regions in different socio-economic and institutional structures and practices. Within this context, a governance framework for the EU and Turkish border region is discussed in two dimensions: distinctive socio-spatial and structural characteristics of the border region and governance approach including the actors, processes and practices. It is concluded that different structural characteristics and level of relationships effect the governance practices and policies among countries although they are part of the same supranational structure (EU) pp. 184-207

Emrah Söylemez and Çiğdem Varol

Cross-Border Cooperation among South East European countries: case Kosovo Abstract: Cross-border cooperation (CBC), as part of the European Union regional development policy aiming to increase territorial cohesion, is implemented based on operational programmes and projects prepared jointly in participatory and strategic manner. In particular, IPA Assistance is provided on the basis of the European Partnerships of the potential candidates and the Accession Partnerships of the candidate countries, which means South East European countries (Western Balkans) and Turkey. This paper analyses CBC Kosovo projects implemented so far, its effects in re-establishing social and economic links between inhabitants of the border regions involving Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia. Key questions addressed in this paper are: is CBC helping Kosovo's economic growth, sustainable development, and regional cooperation? To what extent can CBC be seen as a good opportunity for capacity building in countries aspiring to join the EU? What could be changed or improved in future CBC projects in Kosovo? pp. 208-232

Urtak Hamiti

BOOK REVIEW: Rui Alexandre Castanho, Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) Strategies for Sustainable Development, Hershey, PA: IGI Global pp. 233-237

Anatolie Cărbune

Volume 11(2), issue December, 2020

Labour market resilience, bottlenecks and spatial mobility in Croatia pp. 5-25

Peter Gladoic Hakansson and Predrag Bejakovic

How to measure territorial accessibility. An accessibility evaluation model applied in the European Union space pp. 26-47

Cezar Teclean and Gabriela Drä‚gan

Does higher cash-in-hand income motivate young people to engage in under-declared employment? pp. 48-69

Ioana Alexandra Horodnic, Colin Williams and Rodica Ianole-Cä‚lin

Terrorism - workers' remittances nexus: empirical evidence from Turkey pp. 70-93

Yilmaz Onur Ari and Ibrahim Bello

Why workers engage in quasi-formal employment? Some lessons from Croatia pp. 94-112

Josip Franić

Measurement of personal income tax progressivity in the post-socialist countries of Europe compared to other OECD countries pp. 113-131

Magda Wisniewska-Kuzma

Heterogeneous VAT taxation in the Czech economy pp. 132-159

Katerina Gawthorpe

The VaR comparison of the fresh investment toolBITCOIN with other conventional investment tools, gold, stock exchange (BIST100) and foreign currencies (EUR/USD VS TRL) pp. 160-181

Ilhami Karahanoglu

Sensitivity of bank profitability to changing in certain internal and external variables: the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina pp. 182-202

Almir Alihodzic

Macroeconomic dynamics in China, Laos and Vietnam: a VAR analysis pp. 203-228

Manuel Benazić and Daniel Tomić

The role of contract and relationship norms in the success of Information Technology Outsourcing pp. 229-250

Dilek Erdogan and Nuray Tokgoz

The causal effect of education on poverty: evidence from Turkey pp. 251-265

Ferhat Citak and Patricia A. Duffy

Entrepreneurship education programme tailored to Eastern European neighbouring countries pp. 266-287

Dorin Festeu, Natalia Turlakova and Rodica Crudu

Consultants and firm-level innovation performances: a doubly robust estimation approach pp. 288-311

Samuel AMPONSAH Odei, Michael AMPONSAH Odei and Henry Junior Anderson

The European Community and Yugoslavia's Non-Alignment Policy: from acceptance and collaboration to disillusionment and confrontation pp. 312-333

Branislav Radeljic

The European Community and Yugoslavia's Non-Alignment Policy: from acceptance and collaboration to disillusionment and confrontation pp. 334-352

Sandro Knezovic and Marco ESTEVES Lopes

Evaluating the level of economic security of the EU energy markets pp. 353-377

Uliana Sytailo and Oksana Okhrimenko

A gentle sceptic: Martin Feldstein and the euro pp. 378-395

Radu Şimandan

Union based on the rule of law: the Court of Justice of the European Union and the (future of) European integration pp. 396-426

Hristina RUNCHEVA Tasev, Milena Apostolovska-Stepanoska and Leposava Ognjanoska

International migration policies in two post-communist countries: comparative evidence from Romania and Poland pp. 427-448

Mihaela Matei, Monica Roman, Alexandru Florea and Adina Iorganda

BOOK REVIEW Peg Murray-Evans: Power in North-South Trade Negotiation. Making the European Union’s Economic Partnership Agreements. Routledge, Abingdon - New York, 2019 pp. 449-452

Tamas Szigetvari

Volume 11(1), issue June, 2020

Space justice, demographic resilience and sustainability. Revelations of the evolution of the population hierarchy of the regions of Romania from 1948 to 2011 pp. 27-44

Tomaz Dentinho and Cristina Serbanica

Globalization and socio-economic development in post-transition European Union countries: panel causality and regression analyses Abstract: The consequences of globalization on economic growth and development have largely been debated both by scholars and policy makers. However, literature lacks a multidimensional analysis of the relationship between of all forms of globalization and the development of a country. Therefore, the purpose of the present paper is to investigate the impact of various globalization types on socio-economic development in eleven European Union (EU) states that faced the transition from a centralized to a market economy, during the period 1993-2016, with the help of Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) causality test, Beck and Katz (1995) PCSE estimator and pooled OLS regression, considering the results of pre-tests. The empirical research revealed that economic, political and cultural globalization positively influences the socioeconomic development of all the analysed states. These findings may offer valuable information for the policy makers of the eleven economies which could enhance the development in a globalized era pp. 45-61

Laura DIACONU (maxim) and Yilmaz Bayar

Conditional dependence between oil prices and CEE stock markets: a copula-GARCH approach Abstract: This study investigates both the constant and time-varying conditional dependency between crude oil and stock markets for the CEE countries (Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, and Croatia) by using the conditional copula-GARCH model with both constant and time-varying dependence parameters in the field of energy economics. Through different copula functions, the proposed models allow specifying the joint distribution of the crude oil and CEE stock returns with full flexibility. First, from the copula models, we find that all series show fat-tail, leverage effects, and volatilities tend to cluster. Second, in both constant and timevarying copula models, we find that conditional dependence is similar for most countries, which means that a significant conditional dependence exists in all oilstock price pairs. Our findings have important implications for both policymakers and investors by contributing to a better understanding of oil-stock relationships. A significant interdependence between crue oil price and stock markets suggests that enterprises and governments in CEE regions should pay attention to the stock market performance when the oil price fluctuates pp. 62-86

Ngo Thai Hung

RETRACTED ARTICLE: The triple (T3) dimension of systemic risk: identifying systemically important banks in Eurozone Abstract: Editor’s Note - This paper has been retracted from our journal due to bogus claims of authorship. The editors' decision is based on the evidences provided by the editorial board of the International Journal of Finance and Economics. The Statement of Retraction, together with the full text of the retracted paper, can be accessed here http://ejes.uaic.ro/articles/EJES2020_1101_DER.pdf pp. 87-122

Abdelkader Derbali and Ali Lamouchi

A simple model of developing countries: financing the current account deficit Abstract: A stock flow consistent model provides a monetary and financial framework to macroeconomics. It clearly shows the sources of financing for investments and also answers the following questions: Where does the finance for investment come from? and How are budget and current account deficits financed? This paper presents a simple stock flow consistent model for the developing countries with current account deficits. Most of these countries seem to cover the current account deficit by public borrowing and private sector borrowing. For this purpose, the motivation of this paper is based on the state of these countries and the modelling of their position pp. 123-145

Özgür Bayram Soylu

Application of Beneish M-score model on small and medium enterprises in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Abstract: The last two decades have witnessed high-profile corporate accounting scandals and multi billion-dollar frauds. Since then, forensic accounting has been in focus and has played a prominent role in discovering financial statement frauds. This research aims to analyze the applicability of the Beneish M-Score model on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). Based on a sample that includes 4,580 small and medium enterprises, data will be analyzed using audited financial statements in the period from 2008 to 2015. By using independent sample t-test, correlation, and regression, it has been concluded that Beneish model is indeed applicable on the market of FBiH and aids effectively in the detection of fraud in financial statements. The study describes the comparison of different industry sectors regarding the possible manipulators and serves as a solid foundation for further research in the area of forensic accounting. Keywords: manipulative accounting, fraudulent activities, financial crime, forensic accounting, Beneish M-score Pages: 146-163 pp. 146-163

Sanel Halilbegovic, Nedim Celebic, Ermin Cero, Elvisa Buljubasic and Anida Mekic

Managers’ perceptions on trust and knowledge transfer: evidence from Greek ISAs in South East Europe Abstract: Nowadays, cooperation through the formation of International Strategic Alliances (ISAs) has become a key strategy for many firms that expand internationally. Trust among foreign partners and knowledge transfer are identified in the literature as crucial factors for satisfactory ISA performance. This paper extends previous research (Rotsios et al., 2018, 2019) on these two important parameters. Based on aspects from the Social Exchange Theory and the Resource Based View, we explore a) the perceived level of Greek managers’ trust towards their foreign partners, and b) the perceived level of the knowledge that Greek companies have acquired from their participation in ISAs. A quantitative approach is adopted, and through a questionnaire survey, a sample of 171 Greek ISAs operating in the region of South East Europe is examined. This study contributes to International Business (IB) literature and sheds light on trust and knowledge transfer in ISAs in an underresearched region. Furthermore, this research enhances the understanding on issues related to trust among ISA partners and knowledge transfer in ISAs. In addition, it contributes to the limited number of regional IB studies. Finally, the empirical findings are discussed and managerial implications are presented, while areas for further research are also proposed pp. 164-185

Nikolaos Sklavounos, Konstantinos Rotsios and Yannis Hajidimitriou

Brexit and the Anglosphere: an intra-industry trade opportunity for India? Abstract: The present paper outlines a functionalist approach to the complex “Brexit” phenomenon, exploring those opportunities that can be derived of it for third countries, unaware of the upheaval European scenario, as could be the case of India. In pro-Brexit approaches, The Indian Union appears as one of the most important countries of the Anglosphere area, particularly significant for a future focus of the brand-new “Global UK”, a relevant global partner in economic, trade & investment aspects. Due to the denominated “Intra-Industry Trade” (IIT), instrumented over the Global Value Chains (GVCs), which possibly constitutes one of the fundamental explanatory elements of the Global World, we have proposed an analysis of the UKIndia relations from the IIT & GVCs perspective. Therefore, in our work, we do an analysis of the evolution, situation and perspectives of this kind of trade, especially for its three main sectors: Apparel & Footwear, Electronics and Transport Vehicles. Keywords: Brexit, UK, India, Intra-Industry Trade, Global Value Chains Pages: 186-210 pp. 186-210

Francisco José CALDERÓN Vázquez, Vikesh CHANDNANI Sukhwani and Pablo PODADERA Rivera

Why would Romanian migrants from Western Europe return to their country of origin? Abstract: After conducting a survey among Romanian individuals left abroad, we analyze the particular influences relating to their intentions to return to their country of origin. Using Data Mining classifiers, Lasso variable selection procedures and binary logistic regressions for data collected in 2018 in several Western European countries, we have found that what matters the most for their intentions to return is the plan for starting a business in Romania in the near future. This is very useful for articulating appropriate policies. Other variables corresponding to the attachment to Romania, adaptation to the current foreign country, including the perception regarding the local discrimination, economic reasons and voting behaviour could manifest particular influences on their intentions to return. It has turned out that Romanians gone abroad to Latin countries from Western Europe, who plan to start a business at home are more likely to return to Romania than the ones gone in nonLatin countries pp. 211-235

Aurelian-Petruş Plopeanu and Daniel Homocianu

Tangible fixed assets in Czech small and middle-sized farms Abstract: The aim of this paper is to analyse the development, structure and efficiency of tangible fixed assets in the Czech farms and identify the factors that affect it. The data of farms in the period of 2003 to 2018 were used and sorted by the size of these farms. This paper evaluates the proportional development between the development of the volume of the tangible fixed assets and the volume of revenues. The development of tangible fixed assets and their structure in the reference period points to the efforts of farms to invest primarily in self-farmed land is taken into consideration. It turns out that investment activities are more affected by the overall economic situation of the farm and operating subsidies than by the possibility of drawing capital support. Keywords: agriculture, tangible fixed assets, investments, small enterprises, middle enterprises Pages: 236-251 pp. 236-251

Jana Lososová, Radek Zdeněk and Jaroslav Svoboda

The ‘Expertisation’ of European Studies. A critical perspective on discursive institutionalism Abstract: The paper puts into perspective the conceptual evolution of European Studies and one of its latest theoretically based approaches, Discursive Institutionalism. It argues that in the field of European Studies expert frameworks aiming for ‘answers’ are overshadowing the intellectual efforts striving for ‘questions’. This tendency undermines the proper identification of problems and it also erodes the effectiveness of proposed policy solutions as these recommendations lack the appropriate conceptual foundations. The paper stresses that this negative trend of ‘expertisation’ is particularly relevant nowadays, when the European Union is undoubtedly struggling with challenges of social disengagement, and that research projects are required to apply approaches that can adequately reveal people’s cognitivenormative understandings and ideationally driven praxes, as well as, most importantly, the generative causes behind EU-sceptical attitudes. Keywords: European Studies, Discursive Institutionalism, constructivism, European Union, Social disengagement Pages: 252-272 pp. 252-272

Zoltan Grunhut

A comparative study of financial literacy, retirement planning and delinquency in payment: the Kazakhstan case Abstract: Financial knowledge is assumed to help people in making good choices in their financial attitude and behaviour. Financial literacy, retirement planning and delinquency in payment were studied in different regions of Kazakhstan in both 2015 and 2019. Questionnaires were distributed among different groups of the population. Excluding invalid and unsuitable answers for the analysis, the total number of survey responses resulted was 830 for 2015 and 983 for 2019. The authors analyzed the responses to questions regarding financial attitude/behaviour such as Retirement Planning, Delinquency in payments, and the frequency of making Money Decisions. Keywords: retirement planning, delinquency in payment, financial literacy, personal finance, Kazakhstan Pages: 273-292 pp. 273-292

Maya Katenova and Sang HOON Lee

The official language status of English within the EU institutions after Brexit pp. 293-308

Neriman HOCAOĞLU Bahadir

Brain drain from Romania: what do we know so far about the Romanian medical diaspora? Abstract: In recent years a considerable amount of attention has been directed to the migration of tertiary educated people. Social scientists are interested in the brain drain phenomenon, in order to understand the positive and negative effects of highlyskilled migration in the sending countries. This paper examines physician migration in Romania, a country which records in Europe one of the largest stocks of emigrated medical doctors in the last few decades. Using data from official statistics, a survey carried out among Romanian medical doctors who have migrated, as well as innovative data from LinkedIn, we provide detailed evidence on the emigration flows and trends of Romanian physicians in terms of destinations, specialties and time frame of emigration. In addition, our study sheds light on the underlying reasons for migration and on difficulties encountered in the destination country. Keywords: migration, physicians, Romania Pages: 309-334 pp. 309-334

Alina Botezat and Andreea Moraru

Resilient organizational culture: Cluj-Napoca case study pp. 335-357

Alexandra-Bianca Andrianu

BOOK REVIEW - Dominique WOLTON, Vive l’incommunication. La victoire de l’Europe Abstract: Dominique Wolton, in his latest book, explains that misunderstandings and misinterpretations between Europeans constitute a strength, not a weakness, for the construction of Europe, for the future of Europe. It is, in the end, a “Victory of Europe”. A victory over what, or over whom? Over itself, despite a fairly general denial, and an inability to recognize this victory. Keywords: future of Europe, construction of Europe Pages: 358-362 pp. 358-362

Gilles Rouet

BOOK REVIEW - Bruce Riedel, Kings and Presidents. Saudi-Arabia and the United States Since FDR (Geopolitics in the 21st Century), Brookings Institution Press, 2018, ISBN: 978-0815731375 Abstract: There is a growing tendency to view the Middle East through four overarching nexuses: the terrorism-repression, the tribal-modern, the geopoliticalgeoeconomic and the money-buys-everything-social alienation. Each of these, at times all of them, have been taken to explain the unfolding trends in this expansive, ill-defined region, called the Middle East. Such broad strokes also forms the bedrock decision-makers in Europe, and beyond, utilise to make sense of, and design policies for, dealing with the complexities of the Middle East. But what if international relations scholarship and decision-makers are wrong? What if the public policy networks have misunderstood and, as a result, misrepresented the Middle East and its many cross-cutting cleavages? This would imply that the very foundations of Euro-Atlantic policies towards the region are eschew. There have been some notable attempts at correcting such policy misdirection. Bruce Riedel’s book titled SaudiArabia and the United States Since FDR is one such attempt. Keywords: terrorism-repression, tribal-modern, geopolitical-geoeconomic Pages: 363-366 pp. 363-366

Mitchell Belfer