Source: Annual Index published by Portland Communications and the USC Center on Public Diplomacy

Developing and delivering effective foreign policy is growing in complexity. Precipitated by the shift in power from states to networks, exacerbated by the rapid change in technology and compounded by fiscal constraints, governments and their diplomats must adapt if they wish to succeed in this challenging environment.

1. The evolution of the negotiating process between the Catalan and Spanish governments since the re-establishment of democracy in 1977 through time is marked by key moments of a deteriorating political relationship where the Spanish government has gradually renounced the accommodation of Catalan territorial demands.

1. Airbnb
2. Amazon.com
3. Amway
4. Apple
5. Berkshire Hathaway
6. Best Buy
7. Bloomberg LP
8. Campbell Soup
9. Cargill
10. Carnival Cruises
11. Dell Computers
12. Disney
13. Dolby Laboratories
14. eBay
15. FedEx
16. Gap
17. Getty Oil
18. Google
19. Home Depot
20. Intel
21. LinkedIn
22. Microsoft
23. Netscape
24. Nike
25. Ralph Lauren
26. Slim-Fast
27. SnapChat
28. Starbucks
29. Subway Sandwiches Shops
30. Tesla Motors

1. Cybersecurity
2. Data Economy (Health, Education, Transport, Public Services, Scare Resources)
3. ePrivacy
4. Digital Taxation
5. Migration (External Borders Management)
6. Security (Common European Asylum System)
7. Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) (Military and Defence Cooperation)
8. European Industrial Strategy
9. Trade (New Markets, Level-playing field, Rules-based trade

The position of US Ambassador to the European Union has been vacant since 20 January 2017 when the US Ambassador resigned at the end of the Obama administration.

Yet, the United States and the European Union are essential partners in a turbulent world. On almost every significant regional and global issue of concern the EU is playing a key role.

Key issues (Alphabetical Listing)

1. Wir brauchen vor allem im Bereich der Aussen-Sicherheits-und Verteidigungspolitik eine Stärkung der Europäischen Union.
2. Eine lückenlose Sicherung der EU-Aussengrenze.
3. Um illegale Migrationsrouten zu schliessen, fordern wir z.B. eine zivil-militärische Grenzschutztruppe für EU-Assistenzeinsätze an den Aussengrenzen under ziviler Führung und eine robuste Kriseneingriffstruppe auf europäischer Ebene, die in akuten Krisenfällen zum Schutz Europas international zum Einsatz kommt.

1. Brexit
2. Catalonia
3. Competing French and German visions of a more integrated Europe
4. Digital Europe
5. Environmental Issues (Climate Change)
6. Food Standards
7. Foreign and Security Policy
8. Future of the EU
9. Greek Review
10. Iran
11. Islamist Radicalization
12. Migration and Refugees
13. NATO
14. Reform of the Euro Area
15. Relations with Russia
16. Rule of Law
17. Terrorism
18. Trade Agreements
19. Turkey
20. Ukraine
21. UN

The essential pillars of U.S. global power that have sustained Washington’s hegemony for the past 70 years are being weakened. The US is weaker internationally than it used to be. Past US Presidents through skillful diplomacy, their knowledge of the international system, their geopolitical skills were able to maximize U.S. influence on the world stage. They could use U.S. military power strategically, deftly, they could lead international coalitions, they could set the international agenda.

1. Today there is much uncertainty, not just over America’s policies and its place in the world, but also over the responses of its allies and adversaries to important changes in the style and substance of US engagement internationally.
2. The image of America as an open and tolerant society to be imitated, and as an example of values and characteristics to which other states might aspire, has weakened.
3. The diminishment in both America’s capability and its will to lead mean that the US will play a less active role in the world in the coming years.

European companies are rushing to have first access to the lucrative, almost 80-million-person strong Iranian economy.

Denmark

1. A delegation of Danish executives visited Tehran to discuss construction, shipping and wind power.
2. Maersk has met with Iranian officials
3. Novo Nordisk plans to build a pharmaceutical plant in Iran

France