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Younger Generation Leaders Network on Euro-Atlantic Security (YGLN): Developing a new generation of leaders

The YGLN is composed of 145 members in their early careers who are rising stars and specialists in security policy, economics, journalism, law and civil society. Formed in 2014 in reaction to the Ukraine crisis, the YGLN was created to bridge the divide between Russia and the West and establish a much needed platform for understanding and dialogue at a time when relations between major powers were becoming toxic.

The East-West Coffee Shop

Welcome to the East-West Coffee Shop! This format, embracing podcast episodes and videos, is brought to you by the Younger Generation Leaders Network (YGLN). Pour yourself a coffee and join our discussions on some of the most pressing challenges and threats for the Euro-Atlantic region, and what can we do to confront them.

Latest ELN publications by YGLN members

Commentary

Designing a new Cold War of our preference: A catch-22 problem

Responding to a recent commentary by ELN Director Sir Adam Thomson, Yahueni Preiherman, co-chair of the YGLN, argues that using the language of a new “Cold War” is unhelpful in understanding current and evolving geopolitical tensions. Instead, he argues that the current Russia-West China-US tensions are less the result of an ideological clash and more reflect an adversarial security dilemna.

29 March 2023 | Yauheni Preiherman
Commentary

Network reflections: What should we expect from the new German security strategy?

This month, Chancellor Shultz wrote, “Germans are intent on becoming the guarantor of European security that our allies expect us to be, a bridge builder within the European Union and an advocate for multilateral solutions to global problems”. But to do so requires a “new strategic culture” in Germany’s security strategy – What shifts should we expect in the new Security Strategy and where do the main challenges lie?

Commentary

Pillar III: the quiet success story of the NPT RevCon

In contrast to the disappointing outcomes of the non-proliferation and disarmament pillars of the 2022 Review Conference, a significant reinvigoration took place in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy pillar. Olamide Samuel writes that Pillar III offered progressive solutions by identifying how the treaty plays a role in mitigating some of the most pressing human and environmental security issues of our time and could help inform mechanisms for cooperation and success in future RevCons.

23 January 2023 | Olamide Samuel

YGLN in the Media

Media coverage

YGLN Members Mourn the Loss of Mentor and Friend Robert E. Berls, Jr.

With the passing of Robert E. Berls, Jr., the YGLN and its members lost a valued mentor, friend, and role model. Bob Berls passed away on November 10, 2021. Bob Berls, who was a senior advisor for Russia and Eurasia at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, was one of the bright minds who brought...

29 November 2021
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Media coverage

ELN Policy Fellow Katarina Kertysova interviewed by Euractiv

ELN Policy Fellow Katarina Kertysova was interviewed by Euractiv about a recent NATO survey looking at how citizens perceive the principles of collective defense, increasing funding, or working with the EU, Russia or China. She argued that the government and ministries in Slovakia must...

23 July 2021
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Media coverage

ELN Policy Fellow Katarina Kertysova quoted in Voice of America News

ELN Policy Fellow Katarina Kertysova spoke to VOA's Henry Ridgwell about the Arctic Council Ministerial, Russia's climate strategy, and the militarisation of the Arctic, which continues to undermine regional cooperation on areas of mutual interest. The article can be found here.

20 May 2021
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Media coverage

Roger Hilton: “A ‘burn’ on the Ukrainian border”

YGLN member Roger Hilton discusses the raising tensions in Russia-Ukraine border in his new article for New Europe, "A 'burn' on the Ukrainian border". He argues that Russian President Vladimir Putin has mishandled the situation while destabilising Eastern Ukraine could only make things worse...

19 April 2021

YGLN Meetings

The YGLN aims to meet on a bi-annual basis in order to introduce the network to policy makers from around the Euro-Atlantic area, exchange ideas among themselves, and to determine the future development of the YGLN.

YGLN Funders

YGLN Team