Articles by Daniel Hamilton

Daniel Hamilton is the Director for European Affairs at Bell Pottinger Public Affairs and an expert on the Balkans. He writes in a personal capacity.

Russia sanctions matter, whatever the Bow Group says

While Vladimir Putin runs riot through eastern Ukraine, seeks to destabilise any country he pleases, and disregards international law at will, an outfit called the Bow Group, which describes itself as a conservative "think tank", calls for sanctions against Russia to be lifted
by Daniel Hamilton - 14 August 2015
Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic choice deserves Western respect

Though it is not widely understood, Montenegrin membership of NATO will be a landmark achievement and should be viewed as a major step forward in guaranteeing the security of Britain and mainland Europe, and completing the post-WWII circle
by Daniel Hamilton - 3 August 2015
Honour commitments to Georgia or we lose the country forever

Russia is continuing to aggressively expand and entrench its hold over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, while the West stands idly by despite bold words about supporting Georgia's territorial integrity. The West needs to step up and make good on its commitments, or risk losing Georgia to Russia forever
by Daniel Hamilton - 27 July 2015
The Caucasus, the EU, and the Eurasian Union

When Tolstoy wrote The Prisoner of the Caucasus, he could not have foreseen a day when this extraordinary part of the world would become quite such a complex web. But he did know that nothing happens there without some kind of a fight
by Daniel Hamilton - 10 March 2015
The Left must not derail an EU-US free trade agreement

Britain can scarcely afford to allow the European Left to derail an agreement with the United States that could bring such a wealth of benefits to those who need it most
by Daniel Hamilton - 8 July 2013
Far-right group likely to return after 2014 European Parliament elections

In 2014 the challenge for Europe's far-right will not be forming a group in the European Parliament, but rather holding it together
by Daniel Hamilton - 4 June 2013
Cameron: “in Europe, not run by Europe”

The Prime Minister has put EU governments on notice: Britain is no longer willing to accept a settlement with the European Union
by Daniel Hamilton - 23 January 2013
From Misha to Bidzina: a new era for Georgia

Bidzina Ivanishvili has defeated Mikheil Saakashvili at the poll - but it should never be forgotten that such a transfer of power will only be possible as a result of the work of Saakashvili himself
by Daniel Hamilton - 2 October 2012
Kosovo: Time for partition

The partition of Kosovo is not a perfect solution but it is a practical one that ensures safety, stability and the prospect of future cooperation
by Daniel Hamilton - 7 June 2012
Serbia is not well but these latest elections may be a reason for cautious optimism

Time will tell whether these elections will be good for Serbia, but this is most certainly a time for cautious optimism rather outright pessimism
by Daniel Hamilton - 8 May 2012
Sarkozy and Hollande head for a second round

President Sarkozy and M. Hollande now have two weeks to make their case to the French people. Only a fool would pick a winner at this stage
by Daniel Hamilton - 23 April 2012
Day-to-day politics in Russian-dominated South Ossetia now a laughing stock

Lenoid Tivilov's election represents not a victory for self-determination and democracy but rather the triumph of a Soviet-era cocktail of Russian expansionism, intimidation and ethnic cleansing
by Daniel Hamilton - 10 April 2012
Why Brazil must refocus its approach to international relations

Rousseff must ask herself: does Brazil want to lead a new global democratic order or continue as a state that stands idly by while the same injustices that once plagued it rage overseas?
by Daniel Hamilton - 23 December 2011
The Abkhazian Presidential election: an irrelevant sideshow

Abkhazia's recent election does nothing to strengthen the case for its independence. As long as Moscow continues its policy of annexing the province by stealth and sponsoring policies designed to prevent the return of ethnic Georgians, Abkhazia will remain the pariah of modern-day Europe.
by Daniel Hamilton - 1 September 2011
Grow up Greece

Greece continues to impede Macedonia's will for EU membership based on petty concerns and paranoia.
by Daniel Hamilton - 24 July 2011