U.S. Influence in Eastern and Southern European Neighborhoods: A Focus on the United States of America

An analysis delving into the progression and separation of American democracy promotion strategies in the eastern and southern territories of the European Union

, and ASMedia

2025 September 30 . 5:20 AM

2 min read

Impact of U.S. Outside Actors in Eastern and Southern Regions: Focus on the United States of... — Impact of U.S. Outside Actors in Eastern and Southern Regions: Focus on the United States of America

U.S. Influence in Eastern and Southern European Neighborhoods: A Focus on the United States of America

A new paper has shed light on the evolution of U.S. democracy promotion efforts in the European Commission's Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods over the past decade. The study, which focuses on the period from 2011 to 2022, argues that while democracy promotion has been a significant part of U.S. foreign policy rhetoric, its practical implementation has been inconsistent and heavily influenced by geostrategic priorities.

The paper contends that in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), democracy promotion has frequently conflicted with U.S. security and alliance interests. This has led to a pattern of declared commitment but limited and inconsistent action. However, during the early 2000s Freedom Agenda and in the aftermath of the 2011 Arab uprisings, there were brief periods of renewed emphasis on U.S. democracy promotion in the MENA region.

In contrast, in the Eastern Neighbourhood, specifically Ukraine and Georgia, U.S. support for democratic reforms has often been aligned with broader geopolitical goals, such as the integration of these countries into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The paper compares U.S. strategies in Ukraine and Georgia with those in the broader MENA region to highlight the impact of geostrategy on the boundaries and inconsistencies of American democracy promotion. It does not, however, discuss any specific U.S. democracy promotion efforts in the Southern Neighbourhood of the European Commission.

Interestingly, the paper does not provide details on any new or upcoming U.S. democracy promotion initiatives or policies. It does, however, suggest that geostrategy plays a pivotal role in shaping the scope and inconsistencies of U.S. democracy promotion.

Unfortunately, the available search results do not provide information on the current U.S. stance on democracy promotion activities in Turkey, Syria, and Algeria between 2022 and the present. Despite these periods of renewed emphasis, U.S. policy in the MENA has generally prioritized authoritarian stability over democratic transition.

In conclusion, the paper offers a valuable perspective on the evolution of U.S. democracy promotion efforts in the European Commission's neighbourhoods. It underscores the complex interplay between geostrategy and democracy promotion, a relationship that continues to shape U.S. foreign policy in the region.